Research, Articles & Case Studies
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Subgrouping fibromyalgia patients according to response to therapeutic interventions: a new concept for a disease with low treatment‑response rates
Michael SchirmerCurriculums:
Patients with fibromyalgia (FM) are usually difficult to
treat, and new concepts are needed to improve patients’ outcome.
Only recently they reported a promising therapeutic approach
in patients with long-standing FM according to the ACR 1990 criteria and
limited C1–C2 range of motion based on the flexion–rotation test. After
stratification of patients primarily on pre-medication and age, the patients
completed a 12-week multimodal program with education, cognitive behavior
therapy and exercise. In addition to the multimodal program, patients in the
experimental group also received upper cervical manipulative therapy.
Treating the Sequelae of Postoperative Meningioma and Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case of Implementation of Craniosacral Therapy in Integrative Inpatient Care
Heidemarie Haller, MSc, Holger Cramer, PhD, Marc Werner, MD, and Gustav Dobos, MDCurriculums:
Abstract
Background: Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a commonly used but under-researched therapeutic approach. This case study explores the implementation of CST in the integrative inpatient treatment of sequelae of postoperative meningioma and traumatic brain injury.
Case: A 50-year-old woman was admitted for 2 weeks of integrative inpatient treatment following meningioma resection and traumatic brain injury. In addition to the integrative treatment approach, which included conventional as well as complementary and alternative medicine, she received five sessions of CST for refractory headaches, vertigo, and cervicobrachial syndrome during this time. At discharge, the reported intensity of her headaches on a 10-cm visual analogue scale decreased from 6–9cm to 2–4cm and her level of vertigo decreased from 6–10cm to 2cm. Her cervical mobility and muscle tension, sleep quality, and general wellbeing also improved. The attending physicians saw CST as having contributed greatly to this improvement alongside use of phytotherapy and hyperthermia.
Conclusion: Implementation of CST in integrative inpatient care could benefit patients with headache and vertigo from intracranial injuries.
A comprehensive physical therapy approach including visceral manipulation after failed biofeedback therapy for constipation
L. Archambault-Ezenwa1, J. Brewer, A. Markowski1Curriculums:
A 41 year old female was referred to Visceral Manipulation for sever constipation rectal pain and levator ani spasm. She had an 8 year history of constipation following Cholecystectomy and a 4 year of rectal pain following a hemmorrhoidectomy. The decreased visceral mobility may be contributing to her abdominal bloating and pain and can be treated with visceral and nerve manipulation techniques.
Treatment goals were the following:
1. Improved ability to relax the external anal sphincter
during bearing down
2. Decreased pain with bowel movement
3. Decreased abdominal bloating and related pain with
urination
Parkinson’s May Begin in Gut and Spread to the Brain Via the Vagus Nerve
Elisabeth SvenssonCurriculums:
Previous hypotheses about the relationship between Parkinson’s and the vagus nerve have led to animal studies and cell studies in the field. However, the current study is the first and largest epidemiological study in humans. The research project is an important piece of the puzzle in terms of the causes of the disease. In the future the researchers expect to be able to use the new knowledge to identify risk factors for Parkinson’s disease and thus prevent the disease. The interpretation of this study is that the full truncal vagotomy is associated with a decreased risk for subsequent PD, suggesting that the vagal nerve may be critically involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease.
Parkinson's may Begin in Gut and Spread to the Brain Via the Vagus Nerve
Elisabeth Svensson PhD, Erzsébet Horváth-Puhó PhD, Reimar W Thomsen PhD, Jens Christian Djurhuus DMSc, Lars Pedersen PhD, Per Borghammer DMSc and Henrik Toft Sørensen DMScCurriculums:
The research has presented strong evidence that Parkinson’s disease begins in the gastrointestinal tract and spreads via the vagus nerve to the brain. Many patients have also suffered from gastrointestinal symptoms before the Parkinson’s diagnosis is made. “Now that we have found an association between the vagus nerve and the development of Parkinson’s disease, it is important to carry out research into the factors that may trigger this neurological degeneration, so that we can prevent the development of the disease. To be able to do this will naturally be a major breakthrough,” says Elisabeth Svensson.
The Principles of Palpatory Diagnosis and Manipulative Technique
Edited by Myron C. Beal, DO, FAAOCurriculums:
This Academy publication is devoted to materials dealing with the training of manipulative skills. It is designed to be a resource for students, teachers, and physicians in practice. Included in this volume are the glossary of terminology, objectives for a core curriculum from the document by the Educational Council on Osteopathic Principles, the principles of psychomotor skills teaching, a discussion of practical examinations in osteopathic skills, osteopathic diagnosis and manipulative treatment, articles on osteopathic research, and a listing of textbooks on manipulation and other educational items. In selecting materials for this volume, I have tried to include those which are basic to the teaching of osteopathic skills. They represent a personal judgement based upon my experience as a teacher of osteopathic palpatory and treatment skills. The contents of this yearbook have been reviewed by several other osteopathic educators to try and obtain a broad consensus on the materials to be included. However, after reviewing the educational syllabi of several colleges, I am aware that each college employs and orders materials for their curriculum in an individual manner. Thus, I am sure that I have inadvertently left out items which other osteopathic educators would have included. The intent of this book is to be selective of the large amount of resource material available. The reader shall judge whether I have succeeded in presenting the pertinent materials dealing with manipulative skills training. Myron C. Beal, D.O., F.A.A.O.
Lymphatic Vessels Discovered in Central Nervous System
Carol Torgan, Ph.DCurriculums:
At a Glance • Scientists discovered that the brains of mice contain functional lymphatic vessels that can carry fluid and immune cells from cerebrospinal fluid. • Further work will explore whether problems in this system might play a role in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, meningitis, and multiple sclerosis.
Mechano-electric Patterns During CranioSacral Osteopathic Diagnosis and Treatment
Upldger, John E.; Karni, ZviCurriculums:
Mechano-electric Patterns During CranioSacral Osteopathic Diagnosis and Treatment Abstract: Cranial osteopathic manipulative diagnosis and treatment is associated with palpatory sensations perceived by the cranially oriented osteopathic physician at various locations on the patient's body. The nature of these palpatory sensations ranges from smooth, regular, and rhythmic to quick, jerky and/or irregular motion. A study of mechano-electric measurements performed on patients in an inactive state of the body shows that distinct strain gauge, electrocardiography, electromyography, and integrated-electromyography patterns correspond with each one of the palpatory sensations. This correlation far exceeds random probability. Author: Upledger, John E.; Karni, Zvi Date: 1979 Publisher: American Osteopathic Association; Chicago Relation: JAOA Vol. 78, no.11 (July1979) p. 782/49-791/58
The Relationship of Craniosacral Examination Findings in Grade School Children with Developmental Problems -
Upledger, John E.Curriculums:
The Relationship of Craniosacral Examination Findings in Grade School Children with Developmental Problems - Abstract: A standardized craniosacral examination was conducted on a mixed sample of 203 grade school children. The probabilities calculated supported the existence of a positive relationship between elevated total craniosacral motion restriction scores and the classifications of "not normal," "behavioral problems," and "learning disabled," by school authorities, and of motion coordination problems. There was also a positive relationship between an elevated total craniosacral motion restriction score and a history of an obstetrically complicated delivery. The total quantitative craniosacral motion restriction score was most positively related to those children presenting with multiple problems. Author: Upledger, John E. Date: 1978 Publisher: American Osteopathic Association; Chicago Relation: JAOA Vol. 77, no.10 (June1978) p. 760/69-776/85
Cranial Findings and Iatrogenesis from Craniosacral Manipulation in Patients with Traumatic Brain Syndrome
Greenman, Philip E.; McPartland, John M.Curriculums:
Cranial Findings and Iatrogenesis from Craniosacral Manipulation in Patients with Traumatic Brain Syndrome Abstract: Craniosacral findings were recorded for all patients with traumatic brain injury entering an outpatient rehabilitation program between 1978 and 1992. The average cranial rhythmic impulse was low in all 55 patients (average, 7.2 c/min). At least one cranial strain pattern was exhibited by 95%, and 87% had one or more bony motion restrictions. Sacral findings were similar to those in patients with low back pain. Although craniosacral manipulation has been found empirically useful in patients with traumatic brain injury, three cases of iatrogenesis occurred. The incidence rate is low (5%), but the practitioner must be prepared to deal with the possibility of adverse reactions. (Key words: Craniosacral manipulation, traumatic brain injury, iatrogenesis, manual medicine) Author: Greenman, Philip E.; McPartland, John M. Date: 1995 Publisher: American Osteopathic Association; Chicago Relation: JAOA Vol. 95, no.3 (March1995) p. 182-192