There have been many studies done (by NASA and the US Army among others) on the effectiveness of PEMF on a large variety of health issues (such as bone fractures, arthritis, depression, glaucoma, wounds, migraines, MS, damaged nerves, osteoporosis, spinal surgery, etc.) and everyone agrees that it does work. The low frequency pulses help to speed up recovery times after injuries and surgery, ease pain, reduce swelling, repair broken bones and torn tendons, ease muscle pain, regenerate tissue, etc. But it can also be used as a preventative and health maintenance tool.

I recently read a very interesting study where the researchers had treated the non-dominant arm of osteoporosis-prone women with PEMF daily for 12 weeks. At the end if the trial, they found that bone density had increased, not only in the treated arm, but in the other one as well!

To dig a bit deeper, we need to talk about ATP. At the center of each cell (in all living things) is alarge number of intricate molecules called ATP (adenosine triphosphate) that continuously generate energy. No living organism can exist without them, and a steady supply of ATP is so important that a poison that attacks any of the proteins used in ATP production kills an organism in minutes.

The cells use ATP for many functions such as moving substances across cell membranes, providing energy to the heart and skeletal muscles (for blood circulation and body movement), and supplying the energy needed for muscle contraction. An average adult male has around one hundred trillion cells, and each of those contain about one billion ATP molecules. The energy created by APT is only enough for a few minutes, which means these little molecules must work very hard to keep the body going.

The practitioner uses a device (there are many different PEMF devices) that delivers low intensity electromagnetic pulses to the patient. These pulses stimulate the cells’ metabolism (increases production of ATP), and when ATP production goes up, the circulation in the cells is increased. This means more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the cells, while more toxins and waste products are removed, and that whole process is what speeds up healing and recovery.

Today’s case studies come from Theresa Gagnon and Jodi Clark, founders and owners of Mending Fences Equine Wellness in Oakham, MA. They do barn visits all over New England and offer Sports Massage, CranioSacral Therapy, Fascial Unwinding, Structural Integration, Myofascial Release, Propriossage™, Facilitated Movement™, cold laser and PEMF treatments.

Jodi and Theresa developed the Propriossage system, a blend of modalities that helps the equine body return to normal movement after an injury or pain has caused it to move in a restricted way for a period of time.

Theresa is a certified animal massage therapist, a licensed human massage therapist, a certified veterinary technician (she has also taught college-level Veterinary Technology), a Reiki II practitioner, trained in Repetitive Use Injury Therapy, Equine Natural Movement and CranioSacral Fascial Therapy. She is also the Director of, and taught in, the Animal Program at the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Worcester, MA. And, as if this was not  enough, she has also developed a healing modality called Facilitated Movement, a blend of massage, TMJ-dental, energy work, fascial techniques, and craniosacral therapy.

In addition to Mending Fences, Theresa has her own massage practice, Free Movement Massage in Charlton, MA, where she offers both human and animal massage, Reiki, CranioSacral and Facilitated Movement Treatments and classes.

Jodi is a certified equine massage therapist with extensive experience in both traditional and complementary healing, rehabilitation, post-surgery care and hydrotherapy.

Theresa and Jodi sent three case studies – two horses and one dog:

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In craniosacral therapy, the practitioner works with the craniosacral system, which includes the cranium, spinal column, sacrum, central nervous system and the cerebral spinal fluid. The CSF circulates in this area the way blood circulates through the body. It brings nutrients to the brain, provides it and the central nervous system with cushioning, and removes toxins. When there are blockages or tension, this circulation slows down and problems arise. The practitioner uses a very light touch (about the weight of a dime) in specific areas to release the restriction, which helps the CSF to flow at a normal rate and allows the entire craniosacral system to regulate itself, thereby promoting healing in all areas of the body, both physical and emotional.

The pre-cursor to CranioSacral therapy – Cranial Osteopahty – was discovered by Dr. William Sutherland in the late 1800s. As he was looking at a skull one day, he suddenly realized that the bones in the skull were designed to move, contrary to most of the Western teachings at the time, which claimed that the skull bones in adults were fused and immovable. After conducting a series of tests on himself, he was sure that he was right – the bones were indeed moving, and restricting them caused all kinds of problems. He also discovered what he called the “Breath of Life” – the rhythmic “pulsation” of the cerebrospinal fluid and the central nervous system. He set out to develop therapeutic methods to help release blockages and restrictions in the Breath of Life, and in the 30s, he started teaching them to other osteopaths.

Many traditionally trained osteopaths did not look kindly upon this new approach, but Dr. Sutherland nevertheless began to gain many followers, and in the 40s, he started teaching “Osteopathy in the Cranial Field”, a post-grad course at the American School of Osteopathy

In the 1970s and early 80s, another osteopathic physician, Dr. John Upledger, then a Professor of Biomechanics and clinical researcher at Michigan State University, did extensive research on cranial osteopathy, and he also discovered what he calls “energy cysts” – the energy from an old accident or injury stuck in the cells and still causing problems many years later, even after the physical damage has healed. He found that craniosacral work could help release this stuck energy, and the person could finally completely heal from the old injury. Dr. Upledger developed his own treatment method and named it “Craniosacral therapy”. He began teaching it even to laypersons and in 1985, he opened the Upledger Institute, which is both a clinic and an educational facility. Today, they teach hundreds of workshops all over the world, both to medical professionals and laypeople.

Equine CranioSacral
Craniosacral work on animals is done the same way it is on people. The practitioner feels for imbalances and interruptions in the craniosacral rhythm all over the animal’s body, and treats it with a light touch on specific bone patterns.

Shea Stewart is the owner and founder of Stewart Ranch in Ft. Worth, TX where she offers equine craniosacral therapy, riding and horsemanship clinics with a holistic approach. Shea works with many leading bodywork practitioners, veterinarians, nutritionists, saddle fitters, chiropractors, etc. and has found that CranioSacral therapy makes lasting improvements in horses.

She also works with horse professionals such as eventing and dressage trainers, and help horse owners find a deeper connection with their horse by seeing things from the horse’s perspective. Her work has not gone unnoticed – she has been featured in many magazines. Shea also travels to California on a regular basis, offering lessons, clinics and craniosacral appointments. She can be reached at 831.234.8321 or via email: stewartranch@sbcglobal.net.

Shea has trained in a wide variety of holistic therapies and I asked her how she became interested in craniosacral work. Shea answered:

“Over 20 years ago I was complaining to my sister about having head aches and neck pain. She suggested that I go see a woman in Oakland, CA who did craniosacral work on humans. I had never heard of it, but thought I would give it a try. I was absolutely amazed at how much it helped me yet it seemed so gentle. It was the only thing that got rid of my head aches. Everywhere I lived, I would search for a craniosacral practitioner which was hard to find.

Years later, after I had been a professional horse trainer and always searching for body work modalities, I met Maureen Rogers. Most of my training horses came to me because they had severe behavioral issues. When I met Maureen, I had a barn full of very difficult horses. I wanted to take ECS1 so I could treat horses who came in to training. When I saw the profound changes that was taking place, I was hooked! I successfully treated horses who were spooky, one that cribbed, who were hard to catch, bucking, bolting. All of these issues were melting away and this was just after I learned level 1. I was fascinated with this so I took her other courses and now this is all I do.”

More Q& A:

Q: Did Maureen Rogers “invent” equine craniosacral work?

A: Roots of craniosacral therapy derive from osteopathy and predates to ayurvedic medicine. I believe there are other schools for equine studies, it but in my opinion, Maureen’s is the most extensive. She offers head and neck dissection workshops which I believe is crucial when doing this kind of work. She also teaches detailed anatomy in her courses.

Q: Can you describe an equine craniosacral treatment from beginning to end (i.e. how you decide where to work, what you feel for, how you know when to stop, etc.)?

A: Each session begins with a thorough assessment of the horse. I watch how they move when they walk, turn, back up, their postural pattern when they stop, how they chew their food or graze, how they breathe, what their patterns are. I palpate muscles beginning on their head, I observe how they use their ears, eyes, how they swish their tails, how they bend their joints when they move. I also observe the bones in their cranium and look for trauma as most of these go unnoticed yet it can be the root of the horse’s issues. Finding dents and asymmetry in the cranium is very common. They tell us a lot just during an assessment, if we know how to observe. I also teach the owners what I am looking for, what is healthy, and what their horses are showing.

I then begin treatment which is a light touch on a specific bone or muscle I feel for balance, softness, and movement to be restored. Most horses have a pattern of being heavy on their fore due to compensation patterns, so I usually begin treatment by giving them their hind end back so they can begin to reorganize and distribute their weight evenly. After each hold, I step back and give the horse a moment to process. During that time I observe and see what hold I may need to do next. Every horse is different. Each hold is on a specific bone or muscle. Time spent on each hold is not calculated in minutes. Some holds I will be there for less than a minute, some take 10 minutes. It just depends. Also there are numerous holds to do, so every session is different. The horse directs me to which hold to do and when.

Once the treatment is over, we then assess the horse for changes. I take before and after pictures and send a report to the owners so they can learn to see the reorganization that happens. Each appointment takes about 90 minutes. It is highly effective without having to manipulate boney structures.

Q: “Everybody” says that they partly (or fully) decide on where to work by instinct, or by listening to the body – is that something you can learn?

A: I think it depends on the individual. It is all about listening and focusing. Everyone can learn how to listen and focus, but for some it comes more natural than others. With this kind of work it is important to quiet your mind and focus on the client. Some people are very busy-minded, and some people are very quiet-minded. So for those who are more busy in their own heads, they may have to work harder on learning how to listen to their intuition and to their client. When I am working on a horse, the ONLY thing I am thinking about is that horse during that moment. I understand how the bones and muscles articulate together based on my training, and I understand horses. So I observe what the horse is doing and decide on what to work on next based on that. It is mostly what I see in front of me. But I know how to see without anthropomorphizing, and I know how to listen without making assumptions. I just observe what the horse is doing then I decide on which hold to do next. How long to stay in a hold is where a deeper sense of listening comes in.

Q: I read that any injury anywhere in the body, old or new, can be helped with craniosacral work, is that true?

A: Yes, craniosacral addresses the central nervous system and the limbic system of the brain which loads the trauma. Craniosacral decompresses the pattern to alleviate the trauma that is held in the limbic brain. This is why it is a modality that stays with the horse. It isn’t about muscle memory with craniosacral. It goes deeper than that.

Q: Which conditions do you see most often, and which have you had most success with?

A: The common denominator with every domestic horse is the pressure that is put on their craniums. Whether it be head gear or dental procedures, we are always putting pressure on their heads. This constant pressure can influence the body and then they develop compensation patterns, headaches, tmj conditions, mechanical imbalances, facial nerve issues, lameness, airway problems, head shaking, cribbing, low back and sacral issues just to name a few. With most horse owners, these conditions are initially recognized with gait issues such as canter lead problems, postural imbalances, or lameness or behavioral issues. However in some horses the issues are not recognized until they are in crisis mode and begin to head shake or crib. Craniosacral is the only body work that addressees the bones in the skull which addresses the root of the majority of problems we see in horses.

The most common issues I see are posture imbalances that the horse industry describes as conformational flaws. These all may lead to lameness problems, and then the horse industry treats the specific joint. Craniosacral restores balance in their posture so they can use their bodies how they are meant. And it helps alleviate head aches, tmj dysfunction, rib cage compression, sore backs, sore hocks. All of which will turn into behavior issues. The horse always tells us what is wrong, it is up to us to learn how to listen to them and not assume they are being naughty or belligerent. Usually they are simply trying to express an issue.

Shea is kindly sharing several very illustrative before and after pictures, as well as a case study and testimonial with us (to see the pictures larger, just click on them):

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We did, and the results were not good. We did, and the results were not good. Our vet told us she most likely had Cushing’s, based on the increased Alkaline Phosphatase level, decreased urine Specific gravity and increased Urine cortisol creatinine ratio, and suggested we should do an ultrasound so they could take a look at her adrenal glands. If one adrenal gland is large and the other is not visible then an adrenal tumor may be suspected – the non-tumorous gland will atrophy. Large or normal size adrenal glands are typical with the presence of a pituitary tumor as both glands will be equally stimulated by ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone) production.

We scheduled the ultrasound for a few weeks later, and in the meantime, I read everything I could get my hands on about Cushing’s, the causes, and treatments. It was pretty depressing reading.

What Is Cushing’s?
For those who are unfamiliar with the disease, it is usually caused by a tumor on either the pituitary gland or an adrenal gland, and it causes the body to consistently produce an excess of the hormone cortisol (often called a “stress hormone” because it raises the blood pressure during stress), which puts a lot of strain on the liver and poisons the blood. The pituitary tumors are often benign, but if the tumor grows, it can create other health issues (seizures, blindness, etc.) since it is pressing against the brain. Unfortunately, they are very difficult and risky to operate on, but on the upside, they usually grow very slowly. They can also be treated with chemo or radiation.

About half of the adrenal tumors are benign, can successfully be operated on, and removing them usually cures the dog of Cushing’s. But since the disease is most often found in older dogs, that is not without risk either. 50% of the adrenal tumors are malignant, and often, by the time they are discovered, it has spread to other organs. There are several traditional “western” medicines available, but they come with more or less severe side effects (one can cause Addison’s disease, another is thought to make pituitary tumors grow quicker, etc.).

Sadie’s Results
The ultrasound did not show anything unusual, and Sadie only exhibited one of the common signs of Cushing’s: she drank a lot of water.

Our vet said we had probably caught the disease early, and he was hopeful that we could at least slow it down, if not get rid of it altogether. After reading up on the various drugs available, we decided to go the alternative route, at least for a while and see how she did. Thankfully, our wonderful vet is open to (and very knowledgeable about) alternative therapies, and he gave us two homeopathic sprays (Adrenal and Pituitary Sarcode), one Chinese herb (Rehmannia Six) and one supplement called Hepagen-C (which contains among other things milk thistle and turmeric). I also found a British study where two other homeopathic drugs (Quercus Rob and Adrenocorticotrophin) had been successfully used to actually cure Cushings in both horses and dogs. I told our vet about them, he looked into it, and thought it would be a good idea to add them too, so we did. We kept her on this for almost a year, and did regular blood tests and her liver enzyme levels stayed around the same level, so at least it didn’t get worse.

Things Get Worse
Then, in the summer of 2010, Sadie had two seizures in less than 7 hours (she had never had them before). We took her to see a neurologist that same day, and they did an MRI. I think we were all suspecting it was a pituitary tumor that caused them, but, much to our surprise and delight, the MRI did not show anything out of the ordinary. The neurologist prescribed Keppra (an anticonvulsant) which we started giving her immediately, and still have her on.

In the late fall of 2010, there were a few incidents where Sadie ate things she weren’t supposed to (our neighbor’s entire garlic patch, chocolate stolen from a purse) and she started throwing up almost every day, even after the effects of the garlic and chocolate had passed. It was like her digestive system wasn’t able to recover. Some weeks she had terrible diarrhea too. She seemed to be doing worse and worse.

We went for one of the now routine blood tests in the week between Christmas and New Years 2010, and the results were not good. She was lethargic, threw up a lot, and just wasn’t herself at all, in fact, she was doing so poorly we were afraid she wasn’t going to live much longer. Her liver panel results at that time were:

ALT – 310
AST – 62
Alk Phos – 884

Normal ranges vary from lab to lab, but at our vet’s lab, they are

ALT – 5-107
AST – 5-55
Alk Phos – 10-150

Tong Ren
We decided to give Tong Ren a try, and contacted Christine Taylor (who was the featured practitioner in the Tong Ren post here on AMG – to learn more about what Tong Ren is, see that post). Christine communicated with Sadie, who told her she was nauseous and cold all the time, knew she wasn’t doing well and was quite concerned about her condition (which of course was heartbreaking to hear). Christine started doing Tong Ren on Sadie over the phone in early January of this year (2011). In the beginning, she did 2 treatments/week, and after a month, we stepped it down to once/week.

We also started giving Sadie Denosyl (which protects and helps liver cells and brain health) and probiotics (we use Jarrow Formulas’ Pet Dophilus). The probiotics worked magic on her digestive issues. The diarrhea and vomiting stopped almost overnight.

In the middle of February, we went back for a blood test, and the results were better! The liver enzymes had gone down quite a bit (if you’re curious about what these enzymes are, see the end of the post):

ALT – down to 185 from 310
AST – in the normal range, for the first time since June 2010
Alk Phos – down to 732 from 884

We were very encouraged, and Sadie seemed to feel better too. We continued with the treatments once/week, and our vet said to come back for another blood test in 2 months. At one point (once Sadie was doing better), we were considering stopping the Tong Ren treatments, but Sadie always seemed to be feeling great for a few days after each, playing and running like she did when she was younger, so we kept going with them anyway. In early April, we went back for another blood test, and a few days later, one of the vet techs left a voice mail asking us to give them a call. They wanted to know what we were doing differently, because the liver enzymes had improved so dramatically! These were the results in April:

ALT – in the normal range
AST – still in the normal range
Alk Phos – 425 (down from 732)

The only thing we had done differently was the Tong Ren, so of course I told them about Tong Ren and Christine. As of today, we continue with the Tong Ren treatments, and are supposed to go back for another blood test in 4 months. Sadie is much happier, more energetic, and like her old self (although she is a bit stiff from arthritis and I found a very interesting piece of information about that: apparently, inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, are unmasked when the excess of cortisol is removed), and we are firm believers in the power of Tong Ren. As long as it makes her feel good, we will continue with it, and who knows, maybe even the Alk Phos will be in the normal range the next time!

Note: There are of course no guarantees that this will work for everyone; we all respond differently to energy healing. I can only tell you my experience with it, but I think it is so remarkable that I had to share it.

The Three Liver Enzymes Mentioned Above In Short

ALT – Alanine Aminotransferase
An enzyme found in the liver, kidneys, heart, muscles and red blood cells. The ALT levels rise when liver cells become damaged and the level of the increase is an indicator of the amount of damaged cells.

AST – Aspartate Aminotransferase
An enzyme found in the brain, heart, skeletal muscle, kidneys and liver. Elevated levels can indicate muscle or liver disease.

ALP – Alkaline Phosphatase
An enzyme mainly found in the liver and bones (higher levels are often found in growing puppies). An increase can indicate liver disease, pancreatitis, bile issues, Cushing’s, and osteosarcoma. ALP can also increase when a dog is taking anti-convulsants.

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