The Life-Saving Role of Chiropractic Care: How Early Diagnosis Led to Tumor Discovery and Recovery
Written by: James Demetrious, DC, DABCO
Board Certified Chiropractic Orthopedist
The Critical Role of Early Diagnosis in Chiropractic Care
Steve Loutzenhiser, a high school teacher and baseball coach, led an active and healthy life until he began experiencing sharp back pain in the fall of 2024. Initially dismissing it as a minor injury from yard work, he sought help from his chiropractor when the pain persisted for weeks.
In retrospect, Loutzenhiser recognized subtle warning signs, including numbness on the sides of his torso and a shock-like sensation when sneezing, known as Lhermitte’s sign. Though the exact relationship between his back pain and the tumor remains unclear, the discomfort prompted him to seek chiropractic care, ultimately leading to the life-saving diagnosis.
The chiropractor, recognizing the unusual nature of the symptoms, ordered an MRI, which led to a shocking discovery: a large tumor inside Loutzenhiser’s spine, near the base of his neck.
Understanding Ependymoma: A Rare but Serious Condition
This early chiropractic intervention proved crucial in identifying the spinal tumor, an ependymoma. Ependymomas are rare, benign tumors that can aggressively grow and compress the spinal cord, potentially leading to paralysis if left untreated. Loutzenhiser’s tumor was detected before irreversible damage occurred, allowing him to seek appropriate medical care in time.
Chiropractic Referral for Medical Care
Following the diagnosis, Loutzenhiser and his wife, Jackie, faced distressing uncertainty. An initial consultation with a neurosurgeon painted a grim picture, suggesting the tumor might not be removable and could eventually result in paralysis. However, further evaluation at the Siteman Cancer Center provided a more hopeful outlook. Dr. Camilo Molina, a neurosurgeon at Washington University, explained that while ependymomas do not spread to other parts of the body, they can progressively impair neurological function.
The Decision to Undergo Delicate Surgery
Given the risks of leaving the tumor untreated, Loutzenhiser opted for surgery. On January 7, 2025, Dr. Molina performed a delicate procedure to remove the tumor. The surgery required extreme precision, as even minor errors could have caused permanent paralysis. Using neural monitoring, the surgical team ensured they did not damage critical areas of the spinal cord while excising the tumor. The procedure was successful, and doctors were able to remove the mass entirely.
Post-surgery, Loutzenhiser faced a challenging recovery, temporarily losing coordination and needing to retrain his body to walk. His progress was steady, and within a month, he regained his ability to move independently. Though he has yet to resume running or jumping, he has returned part-time to teaching and coaching, even receiving the Educator of the Year award.
The Vital Role of Chiropractic Care
This case underscores the vital role of chiropractic care in early diagnosis. Without the chiropractor’s insistence on further imaging, the tumor might have gone undetected until more severe symptoms emerged. Chiropractors are often the first line of defense in recognizing musculoskeletal abnormalities that may indicate deeper neurological issues.
Loutzenhiser’s journey highlights the importance of seeking medical attention for persistent or unusual pain. His experience demonstrates how a proactive approach, combined with interdisciplinary healthcare collaboration, can lead to early intervention, successful treatment, and a restored quality of life.
Thanks to timely chiropractic assessment and skilled neurosurgical care, he can continue his active role as a teacher, coach, and father.
Reference: Pawlowski A. Today Men’s Health. 2025.
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© 2025 – James Demetrious, DC, DABCO. Open Access. Unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction are allowed in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit by citing the original author and source: Demetrious J. PostGradDC. The Life-Saving Role of Chiropractic Care: How Early Diagnosis Led to Tumor Discovery and Recovery. PostGradDC.com; 2025.
