What Is The Perrin Technique in Osteopathy?

The Perrin Technique is an osteopathic approach developed by Dr. Raymond Perrin. It is primarily used for treating chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).

It’s based on the idea that CFS/ME may be linked to a dysfunction of the lymphatic drainage system, particularly affecting the brain and spinal cord.

The technique combines elements of manual therapy, including gentle lymphatic drainage, spinal manipulation, and cranial osteopathy, to stimulate the lymphatic system and encourage the drainage of toxins.

The technique aims to support individuals with CFS by targeting imbalances in the autonomic nervous system and assisting movement within the lymphatic system. While some individuals report improvements, further research is ongoing.

In a typical session, an osteopath trained in the Perrin Technique may use a combination of:

• Lymphatic Massage: Stimulating the lymphatic vessels in the chest and neck to encourage toxin drainage.
• Spinal and Cranial release techniques: Realigning spine areas with indirect, gentle movements may improve overall nervous system function and enhances lymphatic flow.

The Perrin Technique is often considered a holistic approach, focusing not just on physical manipulation but also on lifestyle changes, advice that have been found to support recovery.

It some patients, it has been found to improve symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and cognitive dysfunction by addressing underlying lymphatic and nervous system issues.

Dr. Perrin’s Theory

The Perrin Technique™ is grounded in Dr. Perrin’s theory that various physical, allergic, emotional, or infectious stressors can overload the sympathetic nervous system.

Further research suggests that this overload may be caused by a buildup of toxins in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Usually, toxins produced by infection or inflammation in the head and spine are meant to drain through channels from the brain into lymphatic ducts in the head, face, and neck along the spinal cord into lymph ducts.

In individuals with ME/CFS, these drainage pathways become impaired, causing a backflow of toxins, which leads to increased toxicity and dysfunction of the central nervous system, resulting in the diverse symptoms observed in ME/CFS.

Diagnosing ME/CFS

Dr. Perrin has identified specific physical signs common among all ME/CFS patients, leading to a physical examination that provides a definitive diagnosis rather than one based solely on exclusion.

Treating ME/CFS

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The sympathetic nervous system extends throughout the body, influencing and receiving signals from tissues such as skin, muscles, blood vessels, glands, and lymphatic vessels.

The lymphatic system forms a vital network of tiny channels that carry lymph, a clear fluid collected from tissues and eventually returned to the bloodstream. The lymphatic system uses cellular waste and foreign toxins as a secondary disposal unit.

Pressure from surrounding blood vessels aids the movement of lymph fluid, meaning poor blood circulation can lead to fluid congestion in lymphatic tissue.

The sympathetic nerves also control a pumping mechanism within the main lymphatic drainage system, which becomes disrupted in ME/CFS. This disruption causes backflow, further congesting the lymphatic vessels, particularly in the chest and neck.

Osteopathy Gold Coast – Perrin Technique Licensed Practitioners in Southport

As of 2024, Dr Deborah Calleja, Dr Brooke Wade, and Dr Erin Barnes from Chirn Park Health Group are now licensed practitioners of the Perrin Technique, the osteopathic treatment model for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) developed by Dr Raymond Perrin, DO, PhD.

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This article is for informational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any treatment for ME/CFS or other medical conditions.

The Perrin Technique is not suitable for everyone. Please consult with a qualified practitioner to determine its suitability for you.

References:

Perrin, R. N., Richards, J. D., Pentreath, V., & Percy, D. F. (2011). Muscle fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and its response to a manual therapeutic approach: A pilot study. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, Volume3(issue 3), September 2011, Pages 96-105doi:10.1016/j.ijosm.2010.12.002

Larrimore, C., Ramnot, A., Jaghab, A., Sarduy, S., Guerrero, G., Troccoli, P., Hilton, K., & Bested, A. (2019). Understanding myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and the emerging osteopathic approach: A narrative review. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 119(7). https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2019.081

Heald, H., Perrin, A., Walther, A., Stedman, M., Hann, M., Mukherjee, A., & Riste, L. (2022). Reducing fatigue-related symptoms in Long COVID-19: A preliminary report of a lymphatic drainage intervention. Cardiovascular Endocrinology & Metabolism, 11(2), e0261. https://doi.org/10.1097/XCE.0000000000000261

Jacob, B., Sawhney, M., Sridhar, A., Jacob, B., Muller, J., Abu-Sbaih, R., & Yao, S. C. (2023). Potential therapeutic effects of adjunct osteopathic manipulative treatments in SARS-CoV-2 patients. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 123(7), 343–349. https://doi.org/10.1515/jom-2022-0207