Treatment Case Studies

Here are a few examples of the variety of conditions patients present with, and the kind of success that can be achieved with manual therapy.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A young female patient presented with a diagnosis of bilateral carpel tunnel, related to computer work, and had been told that she would be required to wear two wrist braces to keep her wrists in a neutral position for a number of months.

A review of the health history and a physical assessement found that although the median nerve was affected, the symptoms were not limited to the median nerve, indicating that the problem was not within the tunnel itself. Posturally there was an increase in the kyphotic curve at the upper thoracic spine as well as a head forward carraige.

Treatment focussed on the thoracic spine, thoracic outlet, neck, shoulders and cranium. Within two treatments the numbness and tingling in the hands had dissipated, and by the third treatment the braces were no longer being worn, except at the end of the work day when fatigue became a problem. 

Off Balance

A female patient in her 50's presented with a variety of symptoms that affected various parts of her body and were  somewhat transient in nature. A primary problem included head, neck and shoulder tensions, headache and a feeling of being off balance.

The health history revealed a recent blow to the back of the head, and physical findings showed that the first cervical vertebrae had no mobility and was very tender on the right side. Due to vascular problems, any adjustment in the neck would have been contraindicated.

I treated this patient cranially in relation to the first vertebrae and by the end of the treatment the neck and shoulder tensions had dissipated, and had not returned by the second treatment.

Take a Breath

A young male patient presented with worsening Asthma that had been diagnosed as a child. He did not take medication, except when the need arose, but he had been having to take more and more ventalin and was having difficulty taking deep breaths.

Heath history and physical examination revealed good general health apart from the current symptoms.

Treatment focussed on his thoracic diaphragm, spine, rib cage and neck. Two treatments made a big difference to his ability to take deep breaths and his need for ventalin went down significantly.  Treatment needed to be repeated two or three times a year for maintenance.