The Perrin Technique Treatment

If you are new here then I will begin with the basics... what exactly is the Perrin Technique, how did The Perrin Technique change my life and answer all of your questions you left on my Instagram page. So first things first...

What is The Perrin Technique?

The Perrin Technique is a specialist osteopathic technique which was originally developed in 1989 by UK based Dr Ray Perrin as a diagnostic tool and treatment approach for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis also known as CFS / ME. The Perrin Technique has also seen some benefit to patients suffering from long-term covid syndrome, post-viral fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease and neurological conditions due to similar systematic malfunctions occurring in their bodies. The Perrin Technique is based on Dr Perrin’s theory that different stress factors whether that be physical (through postural problems or injury), infectious (bacterial or viral), environmental (exposure to toxins or allergies), emotional stress (work or family) or more usually a combination of these which leads to an overload on the sympathetic nervous system.

The sympathetic nervous system controls the drainage of the lymphatic system – an important network channel of small vessels around the body which carry a transparent fluid known at ‘lymph’. The lymph system is a waste disposal unit where toxic waste products of our cells and foreign bodies are dumped and flushed towards the liver where they are excreted. When people have certain health conditions often the drainage of the lymphatic system does not work properly; toxins are supposed to drain down the spinal cord and into the lymphatic system where they leave our bodies via the liver but in people with CFS / ME and similar conditions the drainage points into the lymphatic system are blocked leading to the build-up of congested toxins within the lymph system and in the fluid around the brain and spinal cord. This accumulation of toxins can irritate the brain, spinal cord and surrounding tissues contributing to the wide ranges of symptoms associated with the health conditions I mentioned above.

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How does The Perrin Technique treatment work?

The Perrin Technique treatment uses an osteopathic approach designed to manually stimulate motion of the fluid around the brain and spinal cord to encourage better drainage of the lymphatic system. It involves gentle manipulation of the soft tissues and a hands-on massage of the head, neck, back and chest areas aiming to manually push the congested toxins in the lymph system towards the liver where they are excreted. Manipulation of the spine is also offered as an option to help with the drainage of these toxins. This promotes healthier functioning of the sympathetic nervous system and the lymphatic system which together helps to alleviate physical symptoms and stressors. Over time as the load of toxicity is reduced, the burden of toxins affecting the sympathetic nervous system is less so is able to gradually regulate the lymphatic system flow better – as well as a form of detox, the treatment essentially teaches the sympathetic nervous system how to function correctly again so over time as toxicity and symptoms reduce, it can eventually work by itself again and there will no longer be a need for treatment. It’s important to know that The Perrin Technique may not work for everyone but a large proportion go on to see improvements in quality of life and providing the patient doesn't have significant extra stressors over time some patients do become completely symptom free as health is restored.

What to expect from your first appointment?

Firstly, you will fill out a comprehensive questionnaire detailing your medical history which your Perrin practitioner will discuss with you in detail and also how your condition impacts your daily life to get a better understanding of your situation. Your practitioner then explains The Perrin Technique treatment, the reasons behind the technique and the research that supports this treatment approach. This will be followed by a full examination of your spine, abdomen, head and lymphatic system (mainly the upper body and breast tissues) so you will need to remove your top and bra for the assessment with your consent. You are welcome to bring a friend or family member with you if it makes you feel more comfortable. Following the assessment a diagnosis can be given for your condition if it's required and every patient will also be given a score of 10/10 with 10 being perfectly healthy with regards to how their body is functioning in relation to the lymphatic system and The Perrin Technique. A prognosis and an out-line for a tailored follow up treatment plan is also given and if you have any questions the practitioners are always happy to help.

How has the treatment helped me?

When I first started The Perrin Technique I was in a wheelchair, unable to stand for very long or walk very far, spending most of my time in bed and had such severe cognitive dysfunction I was unable to read books, or watch TV or movies for more than 5 minutes at at time. Fast forward to today and I'm now living independently (although I still require some help) after 6 years requiring full time care, my neurological and cognitive symptoms improved so much I can now work part time from home after 10 years out of work, have some what of a social life and living much more 'normally'! The main symptoms which have improved for me with The Perrin Technique treatment are energy levels, general functional ability, improvement in mobility, increased strength, reduction in muscle and nerve pain, facial neuropathy and trigeminal neuralgia has totally disappeared. I also have less headaches, less head pressure, less brain fog, improved memory and ability to concentrate. My thinking has become much clearer, the way I describe it is 'it feels like someone used a hoover to remove all the fog from my brain' if that makes any sense! It's also helped reduce the pressure and pain in my face, ears and sinuses as well as seeing huge improvements in neck pain and head / neck compression. Obviously this didn't all happen over night but gradually over time recovery has become possible! I encourage anyone with these kinds of symptoms and health conditions to try it!

Can the treatment make you feel worse before you feel better?

A common side effect is to initially feel worse after The Perrin Technique treatment because your body is mobilising congested toxins out of the lymphatic system and surrounding tissues so these are essentially moving through your body which can cause a worsening of symptoms until they reach the liver where they are excreted. Over time I have learnt to avoid this happening by taking liposomal glutathione supplement also known as the 'master antioxidant' due to its amazing abilities to detoxify the body. Glutathione helps to facilitate the movement of toxins out of the body via the liver, speeding up the detoxification process and reducing the side effects of The Perrin Technique treatment. For maximum absorption and benefit make sure you take the glutathione 30 minutes away from food and other supplements. I also take 'binders' to help mop up any toxins released from the treatment which helps to ensure I don't feel any worse after my Perrin technique sessions.

How often do you have treatments?

Initially treatment is needed weekly to begin with then over time as your lymph system begins to drain better for itself and your health starts to improve then treatment is reduced to fortnightly then eventually monthly and so on until your body is back to full functioning, your symptoms are relieved and your lymphatic system is draining effectively so you don't require treatment any longer. Some people do continue with the treatment on occasion for maintenance and to ensure they stay well. I think I will continue to do this once I am fully recovered.

How to book an appointment for The Perrin Technique?

I have seen over ten different Perrin practitioners and there are only four who I feel confidant and happy to recommend. This is because certain practitioners have more experience than others and have an approach where they modify the treatment and tailor it to suit your individual needs, it is with these practitioners who I have seen the most progress following treatments and in my health. One of the practitioners I see is Ian who practices at The Perrin Clinic in North Manchester and in North Wales, another is France Quirin in Birmingham, another is Sophie King in Bushey in Hertfordshire and the other practitioner is Rakhee Mediratta based in Chalfont in Buckinghamshire and Marylebone in London. I hope they can help you as much as they've helped me!

Can The Perrin Technique diagnosis CFS/ME?

As well as The Perrin Technique being an important form of treatment for those with CFS / ME, certain Perrin Technique practitioners can also provide a diagnosis of CFS / ME. In most cases, CFS / ME is diagnosed by exclusion by health practitioners around the world after multiple exclusive tests and if the symptoms do not improve or disappear after many months. A research study published by The British Medical Journal in 2017 has shown that 86% of patients with CFS / ME were diagnosed correctly with The Perrin Technique evaluation compared to 44% in standard examinations, you can read more about the study here. With this illness, the sooner you get a diagnosis the better so you can put into place the necessary lifestyle changes and treatment to help with your recovery. Dr Perrin says that a CFS/ME diagnosis should always be considered if a patient’s symptoms are aggravated after exertion, this is known as Post-Exertion Malaise or PEM which is the term used to describe the worsening of symptoms following an increase of activity levels. Letters can also be provided with evidence to support benefit claims and provide information to schools and places of work if people are unable to attend or are having difficulties with the need of some medical explanation which I have personally found to be very supportive and helpful.

I was able to speak to Dr Ray Perrin himself to do a mini Q&A for you guys!

Q – Why do you think this treatment is so beneficial for people with CFS / ME?

A – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / ME which I discovered 30 years ago is due to a buildup of toxins in the central nervous system which is made up of the brain and the spinal cord. These toxins are usually inflammatory and are often cytokines which are protein molecules that are pro-inflammatory and stuck in the central nervous system. This has been proven by Standford University and other researchers that there are these inflammatory toxins in the brain and the spinal cord. My treatment The Perrin Technique drains these toxins away, it’s designed to drain the neuro-lymphatic system to alleviate the symptoms associated with CFS / ME.

Q – If people have own the original Perrin Technique book then why should they buy your new book as well?

A – The new book isn’t out yet but it will be out later this year. The new book has all the science backing up everything I said in the first book so it’s very good evidence for patients, for doctors, medical and scientific bodies to understand the rationale behind The Perrin Technique and to know that it’s all evidence based. Secondly, we deal with Fibromyalgia more in this book and we deal with other co-infections and co-morbidities such as Lyme Disease and POTS and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome with the names of the patients and where they come from to show that they are real testimonials and patients talking about their experience over the year. There will also be a lot more advice about lifestyle, nutrition and self-help things you can do at home and also guides on supplementation so it will be much more comprehensive.

Q – Do you have any work trips up and what are they for?

A – My next trip is to Geneva in Switzerland to train up practitioners which will be coming up very shortly. I will also be training up an osteopathic clinic there because I was approached by a patient with CFS / ME who lives there who is suffering quite badly. We have no practitioners in Switzerland yet but now we will have a whole group of osteopaths trained up in Geneva. I also have quite a few trips planned abroad for conferences and lectures in Poland, Germany and Israel.

The following are links of some of Dr Perrin’s research which can be found in peer reviewed papers:

Lymphatic Drainage of the Neuraxis in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Hypothetical Model for the Cranial Rhythmic Impulse in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association (2007).

Muscle fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and its response to a manual therapeutic approach: A pilot study in the British Osteopathic Journal (2010).

Can physical assessment techniques aid diagnosis in people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis? A diagnostic accuracy study in The British Medical Journal (2017).

I really hope that this blog post was helpful for anyone suffering from health conditions or anyone who is interested in The Perrin Technique treatment but was after more information. Wishing everyone progress in health, healing and happiness!

Bye for now, Emma x