Research, Articles & Case Studies

Some children with traumatic brain injury take longer to transfer visual perception information between the brain hemispheres. Special MRI scans show that these children have structural changes in their brains that result in cognitive deficits. Children with delayed visual perception as a result of serious head injuries may end up with structural changes in their brains that interrupt normal development, a new Keck School of Medicine of USC study shows. 

Human memory is a sensory experience, says psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk. Through his longtime research and innovation in trauma treatment, he shares what he’s learning about how bodywork like yoga or eye movement therapy can restore a sense of goodness and safety. What he’s learning speaks to a resilience we can all cultivate in the face of the overwhelming events — which, after all, make up the drama of culture, of news, and of life.

A recent study has shown craniosacral therapy to be effective in improving pain intensity, functional disability, and health-related quality of life. It is a non-invasive approach that uses gentle manual palpation techniques to release fascial restrictions between the cranium and the sacrum

In this study, 54 patients were randomized into either 8 weekly units of craniosacral therapy or light-touch sham treatment. Outcomes were assessed before and after treatment (week 8) and again 3 months later (week 20). It was observed significant effects on reducing neck pain intensity for up to 3 months after the intervention.

Our high impact culture feeds on the same gratification in our sports. In fact, game enthusiasts hunger for the impact- the great tackle, the head long dive for the base, the willingness of our athletes to sacrifice their bodies for the win, the score and the memorable play. One of the prices paid is to the head in the form of concussions and Traumatic brain injuries. Some prevention and rehabilitation therapies available to us include: Acupuncture, Massage, Healing touch, Visceral Release Manipulation, and Cranio-Sacral Therapy.   

This article talks about what is Visceral Manipulation and what it has shown to be helpful for. 

This is an article written in Vogue Magazine about Visceral Manipulation.

It is meant for the lay person to understand through gentle stimulation, Visceral Manipulation is shown to help a host of issues including sleep, mood, digestion, pain, trauma, and stress.

It is wonderful to see that Visceral Manipulation and Jean-Pierre Barral have gone mainstream in  Vogue magazine. The article also mentions CranioSacral Therapy.

The writer interviewed Gail Wetzler, PT, DPT, EDO, BI-D, Director of Curriculum for BI, for the article. According to the writer, in the more trendy cities such as Los Angeles and NYC, there is a surge in models, actresses and actors, and dancers seeking this "new" Organ Massage, aka Visceral Manipulation.

Experimental brain-imaging method predicts autism based on early differences in brain growth; potential for earlier diagnosis and therapy for high-risk infants

The study’s findings may stimulate further research into the relationship between early brain overgrowth and autism, which some previous studies have likewise documented.

Summary Background and aims:

Constipation is a common problem in western countries. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for the treatment of constipated women with functional constipation (FC) or defeation disorders (DD). Methods: Twenty-one constipated females referred to a tertiary center were recruited. A course of OMT, weekly for four weeks, was given. Clinical questionnaire, Bristol stool form scale and patients’ subjective perception of constipation, bloating and abdominal pain, were recorded. Total and segmental colonic transit time (CTT) were performed before and after OMT. Results: Eleven patients had FC and 10 DD, as defined by Rome III criteria. After OMT, the Knowless Eccersley Scott Symptom score (P = 0.020), the oro-anal transit time (P = 0.002), the right (P = 0.005) and left (P = 0.009) CTT had decreased while the stool frequency (P = 0.005) and the Bristol Stool Form scale (P = 0.003) had increased. After OMT, the intensity of constipation, and the Patient assessment of constipation symptoms score did not change but a decrease of abdominal pain, bloating, quality of life score and drug use was found. Conclusions: This study shows OMT has potential benefit for treating functional constipation in women. Further randomised trials are required to confirm these results.