Peter Bablis

Neuro Emotional Technique for the treatment of trigger point sensitivity in chronic neck pain sufferers: A controlled clinical trial

BackgroundTrigger points have been shown to be active in many myofascial pain syndromes. Treatment of trigger point pain and dysfunction may be explained through the mechanisms of central and peripheral paradigms. This study aimed to investigate whether the mind/body treatment of Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) could significantly relieve pain sensitivity of trigger points presenting in a cohort of chronic neck pain sufferers.MethodsSixty participants presenting to a private chiropractic clinic with chronic cervical pain as their primary complaint were sequentially allocated into treatment and control groups. Participants in the treatment group received a short course of Neuro Emotional Technique that consists of muscle testing, general semantics and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The control group received a sham NET protocol. Outcome measurements included pain assessment utilizing a visual analog scale and a pressure gauge algometer. Pain sensitivity was measured at four trigger point locations: suboccipital region (S); levator scapulae region (LS); sternocleidomastoid region (SCM) and temporomandibular region (TMJ). For each outcome measurement and each trigger point, we calculated the change in measurement between pre- and post- treatment. We then examined the relationships between these measurement changes and six independent variables (i.e. treatment group and the above five additional participant variables) using forward stepwise General Linear Model.ResultsThe visual analog scale (0 to 10) had an improvement of 7.6 at S, 7.2 at LS, 7.5 at SCM and 7.1 at the TMJ in the treatment group compared with no improvement of at S, and an improvement of 0.04 at LS, 0.1 at SCM and 0.1 at the TMJ point in the control group, (P < 0.001).ConclusionAfter a short course of NET treatment, measurements of visual analog scale and pressure algometer recordings of four trigger point locations in a cohort of chronic neck pain sufferers were significantly improved when compared to a control group which received a sham protocol of NET. Chronic neck pain sufferers may benefit from NET treatment in the relief of trigger point sensitivity. Further research including long-term randomised controlled trials for the effect of NET on chronic neck pain, and other chronic pain syndromes are recommended.Trial RegistrationThis trial has been registered and allocated the Australian Clinical Trials Registry (ACTR) number ACTRN012607000358448. The ACTR has met the requirements of the ICMJEs trials registration policy and is an ICMJE acceptable registry.

Resolution of anovulation infertility using neuro emotional technique: a report of 3 cases

BACKGROUND The female menstrual cycle is a complicated interaction of hormonal messages that are under the control of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian axis. Dysfunction in this axis can lead to anovulation and infertility. Stress has the potential to produce such dysfunction. OBJECTIVES To review the normal menstrual cycle, and present a number of case studies on how the stress- reducing technique of Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) successfully aided the fertility of a number of female patients by resolving anovulation/menstrual irregularity. METHODS Three chronic anovulating, infertile patients underwent NET. A visual analog scale was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. OUTCOMES Anovulating patients started to ovulate following a series of treatments. Initial visual analog scale (VAS) scale on menstrual irregularity was rated 10 out of a possible 10 (anovulation) for all patients. After treatment, these 3 patients rated 0 out of 10 on the VAS scale and had fallen pregnant with subsequent birthing. A discussion of the potential link between stress and anovulation through altered gonadotropin releasing hormone pulsitile activity and how the use of NET may have resolved the anovulation seen in these 3 patients is presented. CONCLUSION The success attributed to the NET intervention and the resumption of ovulation warrant the need for further research involving long term prospective randomized controlled trial experiments to determine a direct causal relationship.

A Retrospective analysis of self-reported symptoms from 761 consecutive new patients presenting to a Neuro Emotional Technique chiropractic clinic

PURPOSE To describe the profile of patients presenting to a private chiropractic clinic specialising in Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) and to identify trends in the presentation of symptoms from these patients. METHODS 761 consecutive new patients presented to a large, multi-doctor chiropractic clinic in which practitioners all adopt a similar philosophical paradigm and practice NET From January 2005 to December 2005, self-referred patients completed a new patient questionnaire, in which they self-reported one primary complaint for why they were visiting the practitioner. Predetermined patient information was entered manually into a database and basic descriptive statistics extracted. RESULTS 67.3% of participants were female and 32.6% of the participants were between the ages of 31 and 40. 54.8% of patients presented with a primary musculoskeletal complaint and 36.0% a non-musculoskeletal complaint. Of the musculoskeletal complaints, 40.8% of patients presented with back pain, 20.9% with neck pain and 11.5% with shoulder pain. The most common form of non-musculoskeletal complaint was immune and recurrent infections (13.9%), stress and anxiety (12.8%) and depression (10.9%). 41.4% of participants reported a first time complaint, however, of the patients who had had the presenting complaint before 60.7% reported as having the complaint for greater than 1 year. Musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal participants had similar pain profiles. CONCLUSION This retrospective analysis is the first comprehensive description of the scope of NET patients and their presenting complaints. The patient profile of this NET clinic has a higher degree of non-musculoskeletal patients than that usually reported in non-NET chiropractic offices, and other forms of chiropractic previously described in the literature. Further cross sectional research is required to determine if this particular clinic is indicative of all NET practices and whether the presenting symptoms, especially the non-musculoskeletal, are resolved with NET.

A mind-body treatment for hypothyroid dysfunction: A report of two cases

PURPOSE For many years hypothyroid dysfunction has been treated with standard medical approaches yet some seek newer experimental conservative approaches. This paper describes the management of a new conservative approach to management in two individuals who sought treatment from a practitioner specialising in a new integrative mind-body based treatment. The purpose of this study is to present two case studies of the management of hypothyroid dysfunction using the mind-body neuro-emotional technique (NET). METHOD The study was set in a private practice setting in Sydney, Australia. Two cases had been diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism by independent medical and laboratory based assessment, of which conservative management had not resolved the symptoms. Both cases underwent a schedule of NET as a modality to treat their hypothyroidism. RESULTS Objective measures such as thyroid stimulating hormone and T(4) levels were reported, along with more subjective measures such as feelings of tiredness and general well being. In both cases, there were improvements in TSH and T(4) levels, both returning to normal levels. CONCLUSIONS Thyroid dysfunction has been effectively treated by conventional medicine for many years. Changes in thyroid dysfunction after a course of NET have been described. As the standard medical model is associated with some adverse effects such as long-term medication use and potential side effects, all natural, non-invasive approaches to management should be reviewed. Further research into this mind-body therapy is recommended to evaluate its potential effectiveness for this common condition.