Use of Integrative Manual Therapy Techniques to Relieve Dysfunctions and Discomfort Related to a History of Malaria, Recurrent Ear Infections, Long-term Premenstrual Syndrome, Falls, and a Blow to the Cranium in a Motor Vehicle Accident

Author: Lin Rose, LMP

Abstract: This case study illustrates the benefits of Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) on a 35 year old woman with complaints of low energy and mental fogginess. The woman had an involved past medical history including multiple accidents and also contracting Malaria earlier in her life. She received treatment with IMT focusing on her musculoskeletal, visceral, cranial, neural, vascular, immune, lymphatic and emotional systems. After therapy was completed, the woman reported that her energy level significantly increased along with relief from a variety of other complaints.

Key Words: Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA), Bicycle Accident, Pre-menstrual Syndrome

History

The patient is a white female, age 35, 5’8", 145 pounds. She works as a recreational therapist in a hospital psychology unit. She attends acupuncture college. Upon evaluation, the woman reported that she wears contacts. She stated that she never smoked and does not use alcohol or over-the-counter drugs. She has a significant history of trauma and past medical history. The patient reported the following: at age 10, she had a gym accident where she stopped breathing after an accidental blow to her spine at T8/9 by a kid’s elbow; a teacher performed a Heimlich maneuver to re-start her breathing; at age 16-23, she reports heavy alcohol use; left ankle sprain; right ankle sprain; in 1992, she contracted Malaria (working for Habitat for Humanity in Uganda)-- the patient described strong drug therapy as a terrible experience but she has no memory of 2-week period during the treatment; bike accident; Laprascopic removal of a cyst on her right ovary; motor vehicle accident where she was a passenger (during last month of treatment our clinic) and the car hydroplaned on highway and driver lost control—the car spun twice, ricocheting off the median K-rail and coming to a rest on the side of the road. The patient also reported that in 1996, she moved to Washington from Colorado where the damp climate has been problematic. The patient reported having had water and weeping from her ears for the past 4 years, especially the left side. In addition, she stated that she has long-term, high-pitched tinnitus (high tinnitus indicates liver problem in TCM—Chinese Traditional Medicine).

The patient’s complaints at the time of the evaluation included feeling drained, despite regularly sleeping 10-12 hours, plus naps. She said she never got her normal energy back after contracting and being treated for malaria in Africa in 1992. She typically has pre-menstrual syndrome and moderate to severe cramping. Her most pressing discomfort at the time was that she still felt unnerved after a strong, unexpected, emotional release during a cranial workshop a week before, which triggered the memory of the gym accident at age 10 that had suspended her breathing until the teacher applied the Heimlich maneuver. After therapy had begun, the patient reported that she had been in a motor vehicle accident (December 2000) in which she hit her head on the passenger window. The patient also reported having right-sided headaches, feeling spacey and having trouble thinking clearly. The base of her occiput felt tight and her neck muscles were sore.

Previous health professionals that the patient sought out for treatment following the motor vehicle accident included: a chiropractor for a cervical adjustment; Japanese Tai Ji which cleared up her headache for awhile and relaxed her neck muscles; Bowen Technique that massaged her neck muscles. The patient reported being on no medications but was taking Chinese herbs and getting acupuncture for general health and well-being.

The patient reported the following goals: initially, to increase energy level and sense of emotional balance; after the motor vehicle accident, to get pain relief from concussion and whiplash injuries.

Treatment

The patient received 12 hours of treatment with Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) over the course of 4 months between September and December 2000. A variety of IMT techniques were used in order to treat the musculoskeletal, visceral, cranial, neural, vascular, immune, lymphatic and emotional systems that were related to her presenting complaints. The patient was given a home program that consisted of Neurofascial Process to release emotional shock in addition to help release some restrictions in her body and restore normal movement. The Neurofascial Process was also for restoring vital motilities in her tissues. Treatment in the clinic also focused on treating osseous strains, Bone Bruises, and Disruptions of Membranes throughout her body, and balancing her pelvis and spine (as well as ligaments, tendons and muscles) with Biomechanical Regulators to restore joint integrity and function. These techniques eliminated most of the problems that followed her gym accident, bicycle falls, sprained ankles, and ovarian cyst removal.

The next phase of treatment focused on releasing restrictions in the autonomic nervous system, and applied visceral, immune, lymph, cranial, osseous and vascular techniques to deal with the liver, kidney, cranial and neck problems that were involved with her bouts with malaria and ear infections.

Outcome

Following the first treatment, the patient reported feeling much more energetic and emotionally at ease. By the fifth treatment, she reported feeling very pleased with the steadiness of her energy and mental clarity. During malaria, the parasitized red blood cells cause vessel blockage within the brain, leading to glial necrosis and causing drowsiness and confusion. The use of Cranial Fluid Pressure Release and Flow techniques in future sessions will undoubtedly bring even greater rehabilitation to her mental functioning. The patient also reported that her energy was higher and more even throughout the day for as much as 12 hours, which prompted her to give up drinking coffee. She said that in TCM, the liver is responsible for dispersing qi evenly throughout the body and dealing with menses. Following the treatment, the patient also stated that she had no pre-menstrual syndrome symptoms at all for 2 months, in contrast to typically having breast distention, acne and lassitude prior to each period, and cramping at onset. The patient was also able to walk without feeling tight and stiff in her low back. Range of motion in her legs had increased, especially diagonal adduction (which was being restricted by her left kidney). By the fifth session, the patient reported that her ears were no longer damp and itchy inside. Although they continued to be plugged when she woke up, they usually cleared by mid-day. Currently, therapy to the immune and auditory systems continues in this area.

In addition to these improvements, the patient reported improvements in areas she had not mentioned as problematic and which were of particular interest to her in light of her Traditional Chinese Medicine studies. For instance, her tongue changed from a pale, dusky body with toothmarks around the perimeter (indicating yang deficiency in spleen and kidney) to one with a healthy red body and no toothmarks. Her sleep became deeper. (according to TCM, sleep problems are often related to heart and blood, or yin, deficiency). Irritated, peeling skin and cuticles around thumbnails had gone away (after release of restriction at the atlanto/occipital area). The skin was smooth, and the patient no longer felt the need to pick at the area. Irritation around the nails on the ring fingers was reduced (following inner ear treatment—more ear treatment is needed, which will likely clear up the remaining finger irritation).

The change that the patient considered most remarkable was the disappearance of what she described as a long-term, low-grade internal restlessness. She had had it for so long that it didn’t occur to her she could feel otherwise. Doing the Neurofascial Process homework was at first uncomfortable for her; then she reported that it turned out to be very calming and beneficial.

Conclusion

Five aspects of this case study are particularly noteworthy: the relief that the patient felt from emotional agitation was immediate and lasting; the patient’s sense of well-being continues to increase; there was relief from physical discomfort that appeared in unexpected areas; this feeling of relief from physical discomforts continues to last; the patient’s knowledge of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) signs and symptoms provides additional confirmation that healthy functioning at a constitutional level is being restored along with relief of uncomfortable symptoms.

Eight sessions have been completed to date. Barring additional fresh injuries, three or four more sessions may be all that is needed— giving a total of twelve. The quick relief experienced by the patient from this course of treatment, and the restoration of her physical, mental and emotional functioning, could not have been had without the Integrative Manual Therapy techniques. In particular, emotional shock, Disruptions of Membranes and the micro-trabecular fractures termed Bone Bruises are dysfunctions that must be cleared out before the body will release its protective splinting and allow lasting structural changes and restoration of function. Normalization of body motilities, restoration of vascular integrity and circulation, balancing of joints, de-facilitation of the nervous system, and Neurofascial Process brought immediate relief and will facilitate long-term constitutional health as well. Cranial Therapy techniques released the osseous and sutural rigidity of the skull (which was adversely affecting the inner ears), and the constricted foramena in the cranial base, making room in the compartment for inflow and drainage, which allowed normalization of the cranial rhythmic impulse (CRI) and other motilities.

One of the most rewarding outcomes of the IMT method of treatment is that the patient not only feels better in her body, but also reports that she is feeling better in her life. Since she does not wear makeup, it’s easy to see that she now has sparkly eyes and good natural color in her face, in contrast to the pallor of her skin tone when she first came for treatment. She also presents herself in a more upbeat and energetic manner.