Ok folks- sorry for the delay here in posting. I want to always keep you updated with new material & information, but Kevin & I were dealing with some pretty complicated technical issues, which thankfully, have been largely resolved.
Stacy sent in a question about the Back Together techniques:
“My mother is being treated for breast cancer, and she has really bad back pain. In your book, you say that these techniques should not be used on people with cancer. Why is that?”
First of all, please wish you mother well. I don’t know what type of breast cancer she has, or how advanced it is, but regardless- that is a difficult disease to deal with no matter what the context.
The reason the Back Together techniques should not be used on persons with cancer is twofold: First of all, many types of cancer spread, and the disease takes advantage of the network of ‘pipes’ in the lymphatic system. Now, while elements of your lymphatic system are supposed to fight off cancer, it is not always successful- and the cancer uses the network to spread. Several of the soft tissue techniques in Back Together stimulate movement through the lymphatics, and in theory, could aid the cancer’s spread. The second reason is that some cancers can spread to bone, destabilizing the bones, and the pressure on affected structures could result in a fracture.
Depending on the state of her cancer, you could show the book to her treating physician, and see how he feels about utilizing the hands-on techniques. That being said, the ergonomic, and psychological strategies could still be of some use to your mom.
Again, my best wishes to you and your family. Please keep me posted on her recovery.
Thank you for your question.
