“I have lipoma under my arms. Can a chiropractor help?”
I have noticed a lipoma under my arms. Though it doesn’t hurt all the time, it does get painful when something bumps on it. Should I ask a chiropractor to check it out to see if it is harmless or whether it needs some further tests?
29 Answers
No a chiropractor cannot help. See your MD and get a proper diagnosis and text to see if it is something to worry about. Here are options:
Surgical removal. Most lipomas are removed surgically by cutting them out. Recurrences after removal are uncommon. Possible side effects are scarring and bruising. A technique known as minimal excision extraction may result in less scarring.
Liposuction. This treatment uses a needle and a large syringe to remove the fatty lump.
Surgical removal. Most lipomas are removed surgically by cutting them out. Recurrences after removal are uncommon. Possible side effects are scarring and bruising. A technique known as minimal excision extraction may result in less scarring.
Liposuction. This treatment uses a needle and a large syringe to remove the fatty lump.
NO. Lipomas are usually benign and don't cause problems. If they do it is not something a Chiropractor can help. Any questions feel free to call me at (631)462-0917
You need to schedule an appointment with your primary healthcare provider for them to determine if the lipoma is harmless or if any further testing is needed.
No, you will need to see your primary care.
A chiropractor should be able to evaluate it, but I would start with a medical doctor first.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joel D. Duchon
Sincerely,
Dr. Joel D. Duchon
I would get a diagnostic ultrasound.
Thank you
Thank you
Lipomas can be genetic or familial (runs in the family). If concerned if they are lipomas or something else, it is best to be seen by either a dermatologist or a general surgeon. A chiropractor may be able to diagnose it, but sometimes they can mimic other issues. The fact that it can cause pain when bumped, I would recommend seeking a medical evaluation.
First of all, a diagnosis of any lump must be clearly defined. If it is a lipoma, it’s mostly harmless. As with any lump, it indicates an estrogen dominance and can be treated with a product called Myomin from Dr. Chi. It takes 6 months to a year to balance that, www.chi-health.com.
You are important to me as a person and a patient.
Warmest regards,
Dr. Phil Convertino
You are important to me as a person and a patient.
Warmest regards,
Dr. Phil Convertino
Actually, I would not see a chiropractor about the lipoma. If you feel like the lump is growing in size or you get numbness and tingling into the arm on the same side of the lipoma then I would see your primary care. You would then either get radiographs or a biopsy to make sure it is a benign lesion. Lipomas are common and the chances of it becoming threatening in size or becoming something very serious are very slim. Hope this helps.
I recommend a multidisciplinary approach. Yes, get chiropractic care, but consider a visit to your PCP to rule out pathology-to be sure that the lipoma is benign.
A lipoma needs to be checked by a medical doctor. If you already see a chiropractor, he/she may be able to assist with the diagnosis, but it does not fall within the realm of chiropractics.
No, this should be evaluated by a general surgeon.
Consult a surgeon to see if you can remove it. Removal may be the best option, but consult your surgeon.
Chiropractic will not remove a lipoma but can help with any pain associated with it. However lipomas generally don’t come with pain other than irritation of the skin in the area around it.
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
Doctors of Chiropractic do not specifically treat lipomas and I don't know of any treatment for a lipoma, other than having it surgically removed. A lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty lump unusually situated between your skin and the underlying muscle. This area is known as the fascial layer or fascia.
The lipoma should feel doughy and is usually not tender. When you push on it, it moves readily with light pressure. If you have a bump that is hard, not easily moved, or painful when touched, you should have it examined right away by a competent doctor, as you may have something other than a lipoma. Unlike a cancerous growth, a lipoma isn't normally harmful. They don't usually require treatment, but if the lipoma bothers you, is painful or is growing quickly, you may want to have it removed.
One way in which a chiropractor might be able to help with a lipoma is with a technique some chiropractors use called IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization). This is a process that uses metal tools to rub over the skin and the underlying fascia to brake up adhesions which form in the fascia. According to Lindsay Kellner, Senior Wellness Editor for www.mindbodygreen.com:
"Because it's subdermal, changing the fascia over time through foam rolling, Rolfing, massage, or movement can actually change the way fat distributes under your skin, which is what creates the appearance of cellulite."
And Natalie Martos, of www.kinesisphoenix.com says:
"Recent studies have shown that the cause of cellulite may be due to tension of retinacula cutis fibers. These fibers allow for the sliding of superficial and deep fascial layers. If this gets inflamed the fibers can become thickened and restrict motion causing adhesions within fibers. So what does all this mean to you, if the fascia becomes restricted in any way, whether it is from dehydration, adhesions, or inflammation, then ripples in the skin can occur and fat deposits will get stuck in the web fibers of the fascial lining."
So, if fascia holds the fat cells under the skin and disruption in the fascia (adhesions) changes the way that fat cells collect under the skin, leading the the appearance of cellulite, then it is possible that a major disruption in the fascia could be responsible for a lipoma forming. If this is true, it should be possible to diminish or dissolve a lipoma by removing the adhesions in the fascia with IASTM or a similar method. I have not tested this in practice as yet, but I believe it would be worth attempting to see if results were obtainable.
The lipoma should feel doughy and is usually not tender. When you push on it, it moves readily with light pressure. If you have a bump that is hard, not easily moved, or painful when touched, you should have it examined right away by a competent doctor, as you may have something other than a lipoma. Unlike a cancerous growth, a lipoma isn't normally harmful. They don't usually require treatment, but if the lipoma bothers you, is painful or is growing quickly, you may want to have it removed.
One way in which a chiropractor might be able to help with a lipoma is with a technique some chiropractors use called IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization). This is a process that uses metal tools to rub over the skin and the underlying fascia to brake up adhesions which form in the fascia. According to Lindsay Kellner, Senior Wellness Editor for www.mindbodygreen.com:
"Because it's subdermal, changing the fascia over time through foam rolling, Rolfing, massage, or movement can actually change the way fat distributes under your skin, which is what creates the appearance of cellulite."
And Natalie Martos, of www.kinesisphoenix.com says:
"Recent studies have shown that the cause of cellulite may be due to tension of retinacula cutis fibers. These fibers allow for the sliding of superficial and deep fascial layers. If this gets inflamed the fibers can become thickened and restrict motion causing adhesions within fibers. So what does all this mean to you, if the fascia becomes restricted in any way, whether it is from dehydration, adhesions, or inflammation, then ripples in the skin can occur and fat deposits will get stuck in the web fibers of the fascial lining."
So, if fascia holds the fat cells under the skin and disruption in the fascia (adhesions) changes the way that fat cells collect under the skin, leading the the appearance of cellulite, then it is possible that a major disruption in the fascia could be responsible for a lipoma forming. If this is true, it should be possible to diminish or dissolve a lipoma by removing the adhesions in the fascia with IASTM or a similar method. I have not tested this in practice as yet, but I believe it would be worth attempting to see if results were obtainable.
Caitlin Zietz
Chiropractor
Hi there!
A chiropractor can take a look, but I would suggest a visit to your family doctor to confirm it doesn’t need investigating further.
Best,
Dr. Caitlin Zietz, B.Sc., D.C.
A chiropractor can take a look, but I would suggest a visit to your family doctor to confirm it doesn’t need investigating further.
Best,
Dr. Caitlin Zietz, B.Sc., D.C.
Lipoma is just fatty tissue...chiropractic helps everything in the body, so yes you should go.
First, establishing that it is a lipoma is critical. Ruling out more serious things first. Most lipomas that are problematic have to be excised, and often return. I have read articles of people trying to manipulate and break up with marginal results
Typically a Lipoma is a fatty tumor. Chiropractic cannot help with this. I would suggest talking with your primary doctor. They may refer you to a surgeon for a consultation.
I would make sure that the lump(s) are truly lipomas and not something more serious. Have them examined and perhaps a biopsy may need to be performed. A chiropractic physician is probably not the specialist to see to treat lipomas. No treatment is usually needed, but again make sure that it is not something more serious.
They can check it out and make the referral. I would recommend a dermatologist. More their scope.
Yes, there are many physicians that can diagnose a lipoma. Chiropractors can do so, as well a medical doctors, orthopedists, dermatologists, just to name a few that are off the top of my head. With something like this, you should have an evaluation and testing to confirm.
No, go to an MD or dermatologist. Most lipomas do not hurt!
Thank you for your question. Lipomas are small collections of fat under the skin. Though not often painful, they are typically benign. Though a chiropractor might be able to advise you, it is outside the scope of practice in all 50 states. For situations like this, a dermatologist is the person that you want to see as they have extensive knowledge about the skin and abnormalities associated with it.
Lipomas typically do not respond or improve through chiropractic care. I would seek a consultation with a dermatologist.
Please seek an opinion from your primary care physician. Lipomas can grow in the most inconvenient places and cause some pain but usually, they aren't painful. You might have to have this one surgically removed.
This does not sound like a chiropractic problem since chiropractors do not evaluate lipomas as often as other doctors. Visit your primary care physician to get evaluated and get a proper referral to a doctor who specializes in lipomas.
There should be further tests to see if it’s truly harmless.
Chiropractors can help with many things but this one would need to be seen by a dermatologist.
