Biofield Therapy Helps With Carpal Tunnel Pain and Symptoms

by | Mar 14, 2018 | 2016, Alternative Therapies, Joint Health

Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. Six treatments of oscillatory biofield therapy given over 14 days improved carpal tunnel symptoms in participating patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. 

jointCarpal tunnel syndrome is among one of the costliest injuries to workers on the job, costing as much as $7,000 per worker per year in lost earnings and productivity to as much as $50,000 per worker over 7 years 1. Treatments range from conservative (physical therapy and splinting) to injections and surgery to release ligaments around the carpal tunnel in the wrist 1.

A 2016 study 2 analyzed 30 participating subjects (8 men, 22 women) between the ages of 33 and 64 with carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms for at least one year. They also had a history of unsuccessful conventional treatments including (physical therapy, wrist braces, and steroid injections) and 2 current positive orthopedic tests for carpal tunnel syndrome 3,4. The researchers randomly assigned subjects to receive either 6 treatments of oscillatory biofield therapy (OBFT) or 6 placebo treatments over the course of 2 weeks. Each subject completed questionnaires on their symptoms before and after the 6 treatments.

Oscillatory biofield therapy is defined as “a delivery of biomagnetic field that is intentionally oscillated between the practitioner’s hands, in an alternate and back-and-forth fashion, through the treated structure” 5 and was officially recognized as an alternative treatment by the National Institutes of Health in 1994 6.

After 6 treatments over 14 days, the researchers noted significant improvements in the biofield group across several measurements. All decreases in score indicate an improvement in symptoms and function:

Biofield therapyp –valuePlacebop - value
DASH Questionnaire55.4% decrease (30.7 to 13.7)0.00018% decrease (31.5 to 29.0)0.06
Night pain83.2% decrease (5.1 to 0.86)0.000117.8% decrease (4.5 to 3.7)0.17
Pain intensity80.5% decrease (4.1 to 0.8)0.000114.2% increase (4.2 to 4.8)0.1
Symptom severity36.2% decrease (2.6 to 1.66)0.00019.3% decrease (2.6 to 2.36)0.09
Functional status30.5% decrease (2.1 to 1.46)0.000115% decrease (2.0 to 1.7)0.07

Although the researchers admit “there is no validated scientific explanation for the mechanism”, they cite research showing mechanical oscillatory motions to improving tissue extensibility 7, decrease inflammatory response 8, and enhance tissue circulation 9.

For the researchers, “Oscillatory biofield therapy can be a viable and effective treatment for improving symptoms and functional limitations associated with chronic carpal tunnel syndrome.”

Source: Nourbakhsh, Mohammad Reza, et al. “The effects of oscillatory biofield therapy on pain and functional limitations associated with carpal tunnel syndrome: randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 22.11 (2016): 911-920.

© Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

 

Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS, practices in Hauppauge, NY. As a Certified Strength and Condition Specialist and certified baseball pitching coach with the National Pitching Association, Dr. Arnold specializes in nutrition, conditioning, and injury prevention of baseball pitchers and student-athletes from all athletic backgrounds. Dr. Arnold completed his Chiropractic studies at the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL. Visit his web site at www.pitchingdoc.com.

References:

  1. Industries WSDoL. Economic Burden of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. 2017; Statistics on Economic Burden of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome on workers. Available at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/OccHealth/Reports/CtsBurden/default.asp. Accessed May 25, 2017, 2017.
  2. Nourbakhsh MR, Bell TJ, Martin JB, Arab AM. The effects of oscillatory biofield therapy on pain and functional limitations associated with carpal tunnel syndrome: randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2016;22(11):911-920.
  3. Raji P, Ansari NN, Naghdi S, Forogh B, Hasson S. Relationship between Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments perception Test and sensory nerve conduction studies in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. NeuroRehabilitation. 2014;35(3):543-552.
  4. Priganc VW, Henry SM. The relationship among five common carpal tunnel syndrome tests and the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome. Journal of hand therapy. 2003;16(3):225-236.
  5. Upledger JE, Vredevoogd JD. Craniosacral therapy. Eastland press Seattle:; 1983.
  6. Movaffaghi Z, Farsi M. Biofield therapies: Biophysical basis and biological regulations? Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2009;15(1):35-37.
  7. Dodd JG, Good MM, Nguyen TL, Grigg AI, Batia LM, Standley PR. In vitro biophysical strain model for understanding mechanisms of osteopathic manipulative treatment. JOURNAL-AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION. 2006;106(3):157.
  8. Meltzer KR, Standley PR. Modeled repetitive motion strain and indirect osteopathic manipulative techniques in regulation of human fibroblast proliferation and interleukin secretion. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 2007;107(12):527-536.
  9. Standley PR, Camaratta A, Nolan BP, Purgason CT, Stanley MA. Cyclic stretch induces vascular smooth muscle cell alignment via NO signaling. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 2002;283(5):H1907-H1914.