The Benefits of Integrative Manual Therapy and Green Tea on Swelling

Author: Wanda Manos, MT

Abstract: This article illustrates the benefits of using Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) in conjunction with Green Tea Soaks to decrease swelling. This case study focuses on a 60 year old woman with a history of cardiac problems. Upon evaluation, the woman presented with swelling on her right hand. She was treated with IMT and did some Green Tea soaks at home. After therapy was completed, the swelling in her right hand disappeared.

Key Words: Stroke, Heart Attack, Finger, Hand, Green Tea

History

The client is a 60-year-old female who came treatment with Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT). The patient stated that the previous weekend, she felt like she had been close to a stroke and that the IMT seemed to help her. The woman had experienced previously, a previous silent heart attack. Following the session where the patient reported the feelings of a pre-stroke, the client’s middle finger on her right hand started swelling in the middle of the pad of the finger. This finger is also the circulatory median line. The whole finger continued to swell from the distal inter-phalangeal joint. The client reported that she had soaked the finger in Green tea (Herbs and Health p.41-45), put Green tea leaves over it, used Tea Tree Oil, and used Epsom Salts on it at home. The finger continued to expand. The client couldn’t puncture it, the skin was too tough. She went to Urgent Care to have it lanced. The doctor insisted on antibiotics because she was afraid of gangrene setting in. The client reported that she felt scared, so she took the antibiotics.

Treatment

The woman was treated with acupuncture to clear the median line. The patient was treated with Integrative Manual Therapy including the following techniques:

• 3-Planar Myofascial Release on the finger pad and nail (MFR p.19 )
• Lymph Congestion Therapy to the upper quadrant (Lymph 1 p.35 #3,4,5,6,7)
• Skin Therapy-- aberrant skin motility-Type 1 and Type 2 (Lymph 1 p.84)
• Advanced Strain and Counterstrain Skin motility (ASCS p.126); Resistance Therapy to Immune Deficiency Motility.

Outcome

After one week, the patient’s finger lost all the dead skin and appeared normal again.

References

Book:

Giammateo,Thomas D.C., P.T. & Weiselfish-Giammateo, Sharon, PhD., P.T.

Integrative Manual Therapy for the Autonomic Nervous System and Related Disorders (ASCS). California: North Atlantic Books, 1997.

Courses:

1. Weiselfish-Giammateo, Sharon, PhD.,P.T. "Myofascial Release (MFRI)." Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation, 1998.

2. Weiselfish-Giammateo, Sharon, PhD.,P.T. "The Lymphatic System Level 1 (LYMPH1)." Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation. 1999.

3. Weiselfish-Giammateo, Sharon, PhD.,P.T. "The Lymphatic System Level 3 (LYMPH3)." Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation. 2001.

4. Weiselfish-Giammateo, Sharon, PhD.,P.T. "The Cranial Therapy Series: Blood Flow Techniques (A2CTT)." Dialogues in Contemporary Rehabilitation. 2000.

5. Herbs for Health. May/June 1998. p.41-45.

Resource:

The Tea Association of USA. New York, New York.