Anybody had a try of the Perrin Technique?

[DaveT81]

I actually heard about this less than a week ago.

I've since found a few local osteopaths that practice the technique and I've researched it a bit and found that there's been quite a lot of success using it.

There was a trial about 5 years ago that was quite a success but didn't go anywhere as well, via the NHS. But it's not surprising that nothing more came of it.

I'm arranging to give it a go and see how it is. Apparently about 80% of it is self-managed (isn't all CF/ME treatment though?) so I may well buy Dr Perrin's book too.

Anybody tried this technique?

[Hidden]

Hi DaveT81, interesting I've not heard of this before - thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Have you a link to the trial or info on the trial?

[DaveT81 in reply to Hidden]

Unfortunately, I think the trial has since ended without any further follow up studies. I'm adding a link from another CFS website that talks a lot about it:

healthrising.org/blog/2018/...

I'll have a trawl through the Facebook group where it was first posted, as there's so little information about it online for some reason. Probably why so few of us had heard of it.

On Perrin's own website though, they do let you find practising osteopaths in your own area: theperrintechnique.com/clin...

I also found reading a few testimonials from local people quite reassuring. It's all about the spine, sympathetic nervous system, etc. and a build up of toxins that seemingly affects the immune system.

[Calliepet]

I tried it many years ago. I felt the impact of the massage on the first session, every point the osteopath touched was sore/tender which made me think they might be on to something here. I slept for about 18 hours solid after the treatment, so make sure your diary is clear.

I wish I had been able to pace properly while I was having the treatment I think I would have seen a bigger improvement.

I would be really interested to hear of your experience.

I still use Perrin massage on myself when inflammation is a problem. I have been thinking of booking myself for the occasional treatment but the cost is an issue for me

My practitioner checked that I was happy with a lot of pressure, it seems that he found out he was quite "heavy handed" in comparison to a fellow practitioner, even though they had both been trained by Perrin himself. I say this so if you don't feel much ask for your osteopath to work harder - maybe not in those words

[DaveT81 in reply to Calliepet]

Well, that's excellent news. I'm glad you had some success with this technique.

I've read a few testimonials online saying it gave them most of their lives back but you never know how much of that is just because they're giving a website interview or speaking with the doctor present.

So did you buy his book, or did your osteo teach you the techniques and is it mostly self management as I was told myself?

[Calliepet in reply to DaveT81]

I did buy the book but it was much easier to learn from having the massage. There were benefits to having someone else do it 1) having 45 minutes lying down! 2) it is physically demanding to massage yourself so it is not always possible to DIY 3) talking to someone regularly about where I was with my illness helped me monitor things that helped or harmed and 4) having someone say "you are doing too much" a first for me at the time.

The basics of the massage made a lot of sense to me. I can see why ME/CFS could cause poor lymph flow and therefore improving the flow by pushing it around manually gives you a better chance of healing or at least not picking up more problems.

When are you having it done?

[frogwell]

Yes I went every week for 18 months, and paid £30 a time, but it did not make a lot of difference. It is about unblocking the lymphatic drainage system, which they reckon is blocked in people with ME, sending toxins back to the brain. Some people have benefitted from it, but my osteopath said it would take 18 months, which is why I kept going....

You could also try reflexology for lymphatic system drainage.

[Daffodils123 in reply to frogwell]

Did you try it for 18 months please?

[frogwell in reply to Daffodils123]

Yes I did.

I have had further ME relapses since, and what I found most helpful was Dr Myhill's book (2018) The diagnosis and Treatment of CFS and ME.

She has a website too. As well as the necessary rest, she also recommends dietary changes and lots of supplements to get the mitochondria working again. You can get all the supplements she recommends from her website too - then you know you are getting quality and not rubbish.

[DaveT81 in reply to frogwell]

Thank you frogwell. I actually bought Dr Myhill's book but have yet to have the time to properly read it. I will redouble my efforts to though and check out her website. Thanks!