Research, Articles & Case Studies

Summary Background and aims:

Constipation is a common problem in western countries. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for the treatment of constipated women with functional constipation (FC) or defeation disorders (DD). Methods: Twenty-one constipated females referred to a tertiary center were recruited. A course of OMT, weekly for four weeks, was given. Clinical questionnaire, Bristol stool form scale and patients’ subjective perception of constipation, bloating and abdominal pain, were recorded. Total and segmental colonic transit time (CTT) were performed before and after OMT. Results: Eleven patients had FC and 10 DD, as defined by Rome III criteria. After OMT, the Knowless Eccersley Scott Symptom score (P = 0.020), the oro-anal transit time (P = 0.002), the right (P = 0.005) and left (P = 0.009) CTT had decreased while the stool frequency (P = 0.005) and the Bristol Stool Form scale (P = 0.003) had increased. After OMT, the intensity of constipation, and the Patient assessment of constipation symptoms score did not change but a decrease of abdominal pain, bloating, quality of life score and drug use was found. Conclusions: This study shows OMT has potential benefit for treating functional constipation in women. Further randomised trials are required to confirm these results. 

The long-term effects of concussions can be overlooked and can surface years after retirement. Bumps, blows, and jolts to the head can lead to full range painful and debilitating symptoms. 

One of the most common injuries incurred in sports is concussions. They are so common that their potential long-term effects can be overlooked as an ice pack is put upon the head until the player gets their wits back enough to run back on the field. More and more sufferers of such trauma to the brain are finding long-term effects surfacing years after retirement from their beloved sport. Gentle manipulation and craniosacral therapy work with the Cerebro-spinal fluid. We are made up largely of water, so why not use the greatest force within us to bring the body back into balance.     

Abstract 

BACKGROUND: Non-specific low back pain is an increasingly common musculoskeletal ailment. The aim of this study was to examine the utility of craniosacral therapy techniques in the treatment of patients with lumbosacral spine overload and to compare its effectiveness to that of trigger point therapy, which is a recognised therapeutic approach. 

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 55 randomly selected patients (aged 24-47 years) with low back pain due to overload. Other causes of this condition in the patients were ruled out. The participants were again randomly assigned to two groups: patients treated with craniosacral therapy (G-CST) and patients treated with trigger point therapy (G-TPT). Multiple aspects of the effectiveness of both therapies were evaluated with the use of: an analogue scale for pain (VAS) and a modified Laitinen questionnaire, the Schober test and surface electromyography of the multifidus muscle. The statistical analysis of the outcomes was based on the basic statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon's signed rank test. The statistical significance level was set at ps0.05. 

RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated a significant reduction of pain measured with the VAS scale and the Laitinen questionnaire. Moreover, the resting bioelectric activity of the multifidus muscle decreased significantly in the G-CST group. The groups did not differ significantly with regard to the study parameters. 

CONCLUSIONS: 1. Craniosacral therapy and trigger point therapy may effectively reduce the intensity and frequency of pain in patients with non-specific low back pain. 2. Craniosacral therapy, unlike trigger point therapy, reduces the resting tension of the multifidus muscle in patients with non­specific lumbosacral pain. The mechanism of these changes requires further research. 3. Craniosacral therapy and trigger point therapy may be clinically effective in the treatment of patients with non-specific lumbosacral spine pain. 4. The present findings represent a basis for conducting further and prospective studies of larger and randomized samples. 

John Matthew Upledger (1960-2017) wrote this article for the MASSAGE Magazine's February 2012 issue, and we are republishing it here to honor his memory- and to educate massage therapists about the benefits of CranioSacral Therapy, the technique John Matthew's father, John E. Upledger. D.O., created. John Matthew Upldeger passed away on May 21, 2017. He had been involved in the Upledger Institute International for more than 30 years, in areas including clinical services and education.

Like massage therapy, CranioSacral Therapy is a gently end effective tool to have in a therapist's set of skills for pain relief. CranioSacral and massage both create more space in the body, increase flexibility and decrease pain. 

Background: Non-specific neck pain (NS-NP) is characterized by pain in structures located in the region between the superior nuchal line and the spinal process of the first thoracic vertebra, without association with any specific systemic disease provided by multifactorial and/or little known causes.

 Objective: The objective of the present study will be to verify the clinical effects of MV through visceral nociceptive inhibition in NS-NP patients with functional dyspepsia.

Methods: In this study sixty NS-NP patients with functional dyspepsia (age: 18 and 50 years) will be randomized in into two groups: visceral manipulation group (VMG) (n =30) and control group (CG) (n =30). The VMG will be treated with visceral manipulation to the stomach and liver wile CG received placebo treatment. The immediate effects and 7 days after treatment will be evaluated through pain, cervical range, and electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius.

The way your baby is cared for and nurtured immediately after birth significantly impacts their transition from the womb to life outside.

In a culture that commonly separates mothers and babies for routine procedures such as cleaning, weighing and measuring, most babies are missing that critical time of being skin to skin with their mothers, which has short and long term consequences for all.

This article talks about the first hour should be focused on baby’s first breastfeed and mother-baby and family bonding. Unless mother or baby is in need of medical assistance, hospital protocols should support this time of new beginnings for both vaginal and caesarean births.