Michael Ofner

Acupressure at the Meridian Acupoint Xiyangguan (GB33) Influences Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Parameters (Regional Oxygen Saturation) in Deeper Tissue of the Knee in Healthy Volunteers

Up to now, it is still unknown whether microcirculation of deeper peripheral tissue (knee) can be modulated by acupuncture or acupressure on a meridian acupoint. The goal of this pilot study was to investigate possible effects of acupressure at the Xiyangguan acupoint (GB33) on the regional oxygen saturation of the deeper knee tissues by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Twelve healthy volunteers with a mean age of 23.8 ± 1.6 years were investigated. Acupressure stimulation was performed for 5 minutes at the Xiyangguan acupoint. The results of the controlled study showed a significant increase of the values of regional oxygen saturation on the stimulated side of the knee (P = 0.033), whereas the opposite side on the same knee showed insignificant changes. These results may serve as a valuable basis for monitoring a possible therapeutic effect (e.g., after Khalifa therapy) in patients with knee problems.

Manual Khalifa Therapy in Patients with Completely Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament in the Knee: First Preliminary Results from Thermal Imaging

Background: This preliminary publication describes acute temperature effects after manual Khalifa therapy. Aims: The goal of this study was to describe temperature distribution and the effects on surface temperature of the knees and feet in patients with completely ruptured anterior cruciate ligament before and immediately after the manual therapy. Materials and Methods: Ten male patients were investigated with thermal imaging. An infrared camera operating at a wavelength range of 7.5-13 μm was used. Temperature was analyzed at three locations on both knees and in addition on both feet. Results: The study revealed that baseline temperature of the injured knee differed from that of the untreated control knee. After the therapy on the injured knee, the surface temperature was significantly increased on both knees (injured and control). There were no significant changes in the temperature of the feet. Conclusions: Further studies using continuous thermal image recording may help to explain the details concerning the temperature distribution.

Manual Khalifa Therapy Improves Functional and Morphological Outcome of Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture in the Knee: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a high incidence injury usually treated surgically. According to common knowledge, it does not heal spontaneously, although some claim the opposite. Regeneration therapy by Khalifa was developed for injuries of the musculoskeletal system by using specific pressure to the skin. This randomized, controlled, observer-blinded, multicentre study was performed to validate this assumption. Thirty patients with complete ACL rupture, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) verified, were included. Study examinations (e.g., international knee documentation committee (IKDC) score) were performed at inclusion (t 0). Patients were randomized to receive either standardised physiotherapy (ST) or additionally 1 hour of Khalifa therapy at the first session (STK). Twenty-four hours later, study examinations were performed again (t 1). Three months later control MRI and follow-up examinations were performed (t 2). Initial status was comparable between both groups. There was a highly significant difference of mean IKDC score results at t 1 and t 2. After 3 months, 47% of the STK patients, but no ST patient, demonstrated an end-to-end homogeneous ACL in MRI. Clinical and physical examinations were significantly different in t 1 and t 2. ACL healing can be improved with manual therapy. Physical activity can be performed without pain and nearly normal range of motion after one treatment of specific pressure.

Manual khalifa therapy in patients with completely ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the knee: First results from near-infrared spectroscopy

Background: Manual Khalifa therapy has been practiced in Hallein, Austria, for more than 30 years; however, there are no scientific results available on the topic. Aims: The goal of the present study was to investigate possible acute effects of Khalifa therapy on regional oxygen saturation of knee tissues in patients with completely ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Materials and Methods: We investigated 10 male patients (mean age ± standard deviation (SD) 35.9 ± 6.1 year) using a four-channel oximeter. The sensors were applied anterolaterally and anteromedially, beside the patella, on both the injured and the healthy (control) knee. Results: The results of the controlled study showed that values of oxygen saturation on the knee with the ruptured ligament were significantly increased (P < 0.001) immediately after Khalifa therapy, whereas the values on the control knee showed insignificant increases. Baselines values of the anterolateral side of the injured knee were significantly (P < 0.001) different from those of the anterolateral side of the control knee. The same effect was present on the anteromedial side; however, with a lower degree of significance (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Khalifa therapy was clinically successful in all 10 patients. Further, investigations and analyzes are necessary to explain the underlying mechanism.

Successful management of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention: a case report.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of diabetes is growing worldwide. The primary symptom of diabetes mellitus is elevated blood sugar. This is usually treated with lifestyle intervention and drugs according to an algorithm based on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. We present the case of a patient who successfully managed his type 2 diabetes solely through lifestyle modification. CASE REPORT A 45-year-old businessman with a body mass index of 27 kg/m2 was examined within a secondary prevention program in Austria. His HbA1c was 9.7%-type 2 diabetes mellitus was diagnosed. General recommendations for lifestyle were given and metformin was prescribed. Upon his diagnosis the patient searched for all the information he could get about diabetes and implemented this new knowledge in his everyday life. He had a strong desire to defeat his disease and he wanted to stop using medications. He identified some nutritional ingredients and spices that affected his blood sugar in a positive way. He stopped taking metformin after 4 weeks and handled his diabetes with his personal lifestyle program. Three months after the diagnosis his HbA1c was 6.4%; after 6 months he had an HbA1c of 6.0% without the use of medication. DISCUSSION Usually, multiple drug therapy is necessary to handle high blood glucose levels. Our business manager ate as much as before his diagnosis but he modified the contents of his diet so that the lifestyle intervention was not hard for him. General recommendations for lifestyle modification usually include: more exercise, reduced sugar and monosaccharides, and less alcohol and nicotine. With the knowledge of the effects of specific dietary ingredients, it might be possible to modify a regular diet in such a way as to benefit people with type 2 diabetes, to substantially improve quality of life.

Spectroscopic Measurements in Patients with Completely Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament before and after RegentK and Physiotherapy

Background: The goal of this study was to investigate acute effects of a special kind of manual therapy developed by Mohamed Khalifa (RegentK) compared to standard physiotherapy on regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) of knee tissues in patients with completely ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Methods: Twenty patients were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned to receive either RegentK (group A; n = 10, 8 female, 2 male, mean age ± SD 31.3 ± 8.5 years) or physiotherapy (group B; n = 10, 6 female, 4 male, mean age 34.8 ± 10.2 years). The values of rSO2, assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy, were registered anterolaterally and anteromedially on both the injured and the healthy (control) knee. Results: rSO2 increased significantly (p < 0.001) after RegentK on both registration sites of the injured knee, whereas after physiotherapy only the anterolateral side showed significant increases. Interestingly, we found significant increases in rSO2 also on the control knee after RegentK; in group B, these results were insignificant. Conclusion: We conclude that manual therapy influences the hemodynamics of muscles and deeper structures. The results will also serve to quantify the effects of nonpharmacological and nonsurgical interventions (e.g. RegentK) on the microvascular circulation in deep tissue after a complete rupture of the ACL.

Complementary treatment of obesity and overweight with salacia reticulata and vitamin d.

BACKGROUND The Indian plant root Salacia reticulata, which is rich in alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, is used for metabolic disorders in Ayurvedic medicine. Vitamin D₃ is also used in the treatment of some metabolic diseases. Our goal was to determine its potential effect for humans with obesity. MATERIAL In a randomized open-label study, we investigated 40 healthy participants aged 30 - 60 years, physically active, with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 - 45. The participants were randomly allocated into two groups. Body weight, BMI, and body composition were measured. Both groups (A and B) received a guideline for lifestyle and fitness training for 4 weeks. Group B additionally took one capsule containing 200 mg of Salacia reticulata and 1.6 µg (i. e. 64 IU) Vitamin D₃ (SRD) 3 times/day with the meals. RESULTS Significant weight and body-fat reduction within 4 weeks was observed. Group A lost 1.8 kg or 2.1 %, group B lost 5.3 kg or 6.1 % (p = 0.03), therefore BMI reduction was achieved. While Group A lost 1.4 % of body fat, group B reduced it by 4.5 % (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION These promising results suggest that the combination of Salacia reticulata and Vitamin D₃ might be highly valuable and potent to treat overweight and obesity, especially in addition to a modifying lifestyle program. Further research is needed in addition to this study to clarify pathways and effect mechanisms.

RegentK and Physiotherapy—Electrodermal Mapping

Abstract Background Within this study, a new system which measures and analyzes electrical skin impedance in 48 channels within a 2.5 × 3.5 cm matrix is used in rehabilitation medicine for the first time. Methods Electrodermal activity was measured in 20 patients before and after two different non-surgical treatments of a completely ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. The first treatment, RegentK, was developed by Mohamed Khalifa, the second is a standard physiotherapy. Results The patients in the two groups were age-matched, and all demographic data showed no significant differences. It was interesting that electrodermal activity was significantly decreased only after RegentK. Conclusion We conclude that not only local effects of pressure application are responsible for these results, rather as yet unknown neurovegetative mechanisms have to be taken into consideration.

Temperature Measurements in Rehabilitation in Patients with Completely Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament before and after RegentK and Physiotherapy

Acute skin surface temperature effects on the knee were investigated after a manual therapy developed by Mohamed Khalifa (RegentK) compared to standard physiotherapy in patients with completely ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Twenty patients participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to group A (receiving RegentK) or group B (physiotherapy). Each group consisted of 10 patients. Temperature values were registered on four spots (three on the knee, one on the foot) of the injured and the healthy leg (control). Skin temperature increased significantly after RegentK on all sites of the injured leg, but after physiotherapy only the measurement spots on the knee showed significant increases. After RegentK the temperature had also increased significantly on the control leg, whereas in group B, the results were not significant. Experimental and clinical testing of technical equipment, e.g., infrared thermography, for ACL injuries is important for a better understanding of the different physiological/pathophysiological mechanisms underlying different therapy approaches.