I find the NM techniques are very effective on patients with increased neural tension or sign of nerve restriction. I learnt from 3 instructors from different regions, all of them were very experienced and informative. The teaching about the theory and techniques was very clear. I really enjoy and appreciate how they give enough time to ensure all students have enough time on practicing the new technique, and yet able to emphasize on the precision and deep knowledge of the work.

In my practice, I see many people with movement dysfunction related to compensation or disuse causing problem with radiating pain. After applying the technique on related nerve, I can progress the movement retraining more efficiently and effectively. I also find that after applying the technique on indicated structure, it is easier to perform soft tissue release. The course has enable me the skill to release the local nerve restriction or fixation, and enhance me with the knowledge to identify and restore the global dysfunctional patterns that causes many functional limitations.

I highly recommend this course as it offers a sophisticated approach to use as an integration to my current manual and movement practice. Very modest and effective technique to apply easily.

Gigi Kuwan, PT shares 2 recent case studies – using Visceral Manipulation, Neural Manipulation and Fascial Membrane Techniques – to treat her clients.

A 41 year old lady was referred to me for C5/6 prolasped intervertebrae disc. She complained of idiopathic onset, of constant dull pain over her left neck, shoulder blade and referred down to the lateral aspect of her left arm. Symptoms could be aggravated whenever she carried her 2 year old son. On examination, she presented with a protracted and elevated left scapula. Neck movement was limited especially with right side flexion and rotation. Left median nerve tension test was positive. Her left shoulder and neck fascia were tight, resulting in compression of her left median nerve. Releasing the neck and shoulder fascia that I had learnt in the visceral manipulation (VM) and visceral manipulation advanced techniques (VMAT), reduced her symptoms by 50% on the 1st session. By the 2nd session, she had no more constant pain. There was no more radiating pain after I used neural manipulation (NM) to release the median nerve. The median nerve tension was normalized. Subsequently, she underwent a core strengthening program to prevent the overusing of her shoulder musculature while lifting her son.

A 21 years old man complained of left medial scapular pain after carrying a heavy backpack for 5 hours. The symptom could be aggravated with thoracic rotation or scapular retraction. On examination, his left rib cage was restricted with reduced fascia and ribs mobility. After releasing the shoulder thoracic fascia tension and mobilizing the left rib 4 and 5 which I learnt from VMAT and FMT, The patient was pain-free. The pain returned after 1 day with a lower intensity. The patient’s symptom gradually resolved with subsequent sessions.

My first introduction to CST was in 2006 but I was unconvinced that it was something I could incorporate in my physiotherapy practice. It was only 2014 when I was wearing braces that I started to look for alternative therapies to help me manage my unexplained symptoms when conventional therapy failed. A fellow physiotherapist who has been practising CST had a look at me and as I left her couch that day, I could feel a profound difference in me… and that 90% of my symptoms went away within a week of her CST treatment.

My first CST course was by Mariann Cisco and I was impressed by how a “light” touch could induce such a huge physiological response. I was sceptical initially of course. But because The Upledger Institute teaches CST from an anatomical perspective and incorporates the latest research evidence, I was won over!

Previously, I would be asking my patients verbally for the characteristics of every symptom that they may be having. I would then proceed to assess each of the painful areas and proceed to treat the area that is the most painful. This often does not result in a significant change in their symtptom(s). I now look at their epicentre to steer me to the appropriate area to treat. This new way of treatment has resulted in less stress for my patients and my patients are often almost always amazed as to how I am able to locate areas of pain that they have not verbalised to me.

My best teachers so far have been my young patients. Not having the vocabulary or speech to describe their problem, I am only guided by my young patient’s inner wisdom to tell me where and how to help them. The results are always never instantaneous but parents and teachers alike have reported positive changes in the children’s walking, speech, learning and/or behaviours.

As science unearths new “organs” in the body that were previously not in existence, there is increasingly more research that provides evidence that CST treatments do work. I now incorporate CST in every patient that I see. I just wished that I had picked up CST in 2006!

I have found that Craniosacral Therapy (CST), Visceral Manipulation (VM) and Neural Manipulation (NM) has allowed me to work with patients that I would never dream of working with before. Two cases in point.

The first was a 30+ year old American gentleman, with chronic headaches, who had a craniotomy done and had shunts inserted to help him drain cerebrospinal fluid from the brain.

Three session of CST reduced his headaches. The following three sessions of VM and NM, resulted in the inserted drainage tubes popping out on their own. The attending surgeon told him after examination that his system was now draining cerebrospinal fluid normally. The gentleman went on to improve and become totally pain free with subsequent 5 to 7 sessions of CST, VM and NM. 

The second was a 81 year old Chinese lady who was the mother in-law of one of my current patients who is a senior medical doctor. He called me up to tell me that that she was in significant pain. He suspected she had a compression lumbar fracture and asked if I would do a house call. She was experiencing a great deal o flower back pain and neck and right arm symptoms.

Her medical history was very significant. She has a history of diverticulitis of the colon. She had multiple surgeries done. The most recent was a laparotomy for the closure of end ileostomy. When the surgeon had gone into her bowels during surgery he discovered the following:

• Chronic granulation in the middle of the previous laparotomy scar
• Adhesions between small bowels to the scar, interloop and small bowel to bladder fundus
• Vesicotomy was performed as well due to adhesions between small bowel to bladder
• Rectal stump up to the level of sacral promontory

Her abdomen had multiple scars. I did 40 minutes of primarily VM, with NM and a little CST. Her response to the treatment was gratifying positive. She experienced a 50% reduction in symptoms. One month later, her son-law the doctor mentioned that she was doing the marketing and cooking very easily and comfortably. 

I started looking for alternative treatment for my patients who are suffering from TMJ Disorder and its associated ailments that goes along with it. Like migraines, back pain, insomnia, vertigo, tinitus, sinusitis, just to name a few. Since as a dentist I am only focused on the jaw, although with our treatment using some mouth appliance to ease TMJ disorder some patients are relieved. But most are not.

I came across CranioSacral Therapy while searching for alternative therapy to help my patients more on their health and took CST 1 and 2. 

From then on I was hooked on taking advanced courses as I treated my patients with TMJ problems and its associated ailments.Amazing results came up since it shortened the time of my treatments with great results.

Patients were amazed with the results that they refer patient and children to my office for therapy other than TMJ Disorder.

A variety of patients for CST have already seen the benefits of the therapy. Patients with migraine, hormonal problems, vertigo, back pains, children with developmental problems are some of few cases just to name a few with great results after CST.

In my dental clinics, I now have an extra room for CST. I never thought that dentistry and CST could blend well in my practice. But since then I’ve never looked back and I am very happy helping people not only on their dental problems but also on their over all health.

Happy patient, happy me as well!

I have included Visceral Manipulation and Neuromeningeal Manipulation (NM) techniques in my daily repertoire of work. 

Barral Institute courses have helped me a lot in understanding the anatomy of human structures and their relationships to one another. 

You will be guided by the body being treated with your listening skills which will be taught in the curriculum. With an appreciation of detailed anatomy of the body and enhanced listening skills, you will be more efficient and safe in your treatment.

I have a client who came in with shoulder pain and limited ROM. Upon clinical examination, the client showed weakness in both shoulder abduction and lateral rotation. A suprascapular nerve compression was suspected. I used palpation and treatment techniques taught in NM2 (Upper Body) to assess and treated the client with great results.

I find LDT useful in clearing bruises, reducing pain and swelling. My clients also have a faster recovery time.

A table edge fell on one of my client’s toe and her big toe nail became dark and the toe itself became red and inflamed. After LDT, the swelling subsided and the pain decreased. After 5 days, the client returned happy that her toe nail has returned to its original healthy state. In such cases, the toe nail usually falls off but not in this case as LDT was administered just in time.

Another client came in with clutches with bruises seen on lower calf; lateral aspect of foot; around malleolus n several toes. After 2 sessions, the swelling and pain subsided. By the end of the first week, all the bruises were gone and no walking aid was required.

I am a 59-yo Marathon runner and Athletics coach of 17 years. Having completed the prestigious Boston Marathon twice, and a host of other Marathon Majors and international marathons, I was very fit and in the best of health.

One and a half years ago, I suffered a bout of spondylosis (spinal arthritis due to wear and tear from the effects of aging). I was stiff all over, with bad inflammation of the joints in my arms, spine and legs. The rheumatologist advised me to lower my intensity levels, reducing my running to just 20% mileage. I was feeling really dejected and demoralized.

I then rested and rehabbed for a year and felt much better. However, my hands, feet and back were often still cold (probably due to stiffness and poor blood circulation).

I mentioned my condition to Kheng and she recommended I try Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ) therapy. I was doubtful initially how a simple finger-and-toe flow procedure could help. Nevertheless, upon her encouragement, I gave it a go. After the first treatment, I felt a warming of my hands and feet. At that time, I did not attribute the improvement to the 30min JSJ session. Two more weekly sessions followed, and I felt my blood circulation improving with warm hands and feet. I was able to run and brisk walk more without fatigue. I could feel higher levels of energy in me.

Eight weeks of JSJ later, I feel even more energized. My hands and feet are now always warm. Amazing!

Since it is such a short, simple and non-invasive therapy procedure, I will recommend JSJ to anyone who is seeking an improvement in their health and fitness at all levels.