METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING AND RESTORING REFLEX MUSCLE ACTIVITY

Abstract

The invention relates to reflex therapy. A method includes searching for and determining priority zones of altered receptor activity and associated muscles with impaired reflex activity, making a preliminary diagnosis of a primary zone, selecting indicator muscles and tightening a tendon of the muscle which participates in a step pattern, searching for a primary zone and determining a stimulus of a damaging modality for the primary zone, verifying the correctness of the determination of the primary zone and stimulus therefor, searching for a compensatory zone and determining a stimulus therefor, stimulating the primary zone and the compensatory receptor zone by simultaneously applying stimuli with the provocation of a deep tendon reflex. Technical result: providing accuracy in discovering zones with impaired reflex activity, determining stimuli for any type of mechanoreceptor and nociceptor damage and providing full restoration of muscle reflex activity.

Claims

1. A method for diagnosing and recovering of a reflex muscular activity, comprising: examining and questioning of the patient, detecting of damaged receptor zones and related associated muscles with an impaired reflex activity by testing, preliminary diagnosing of a primary receptor zone with the impaired reflex activity by applying a single stimulus of a damaging modality to the primary receptor zone, during which a temporary recovery of the reflex activity of the associated muscles with the impaired reflex activity is diagnosed, selecting of an indicator muscle and clamping a tendon of the muscle involved in a step pattern, searching for the primary receptor zone with the impaired reflex activity and determining a stimulus of a damaging modality for it, checking whether the primary receptor zone and the stimulus of the damaging modality for it are correctly determined, searching for a compensatory receptor zone with the impaired reflex activity and determining a stimulus of a damaging modality for it, stimulating of the primary receptor and the compensatory receptor zones and recovering of the reflex muscle activity, wherein the primary and the compensatory zones are searched for by exposing a region of the receptor zones and the associated muscles with the impaired reflex activity to a single and/or a double stimuli of a damaging modality; wherein the primary zone is searched for by applying a single stimulus of a damaging modality to a previously diagnosed primary receptor zone; and a hyporeflexia of an indicator muscle is used to determine whether the primary zone is determined correctly; after that, the tendon of the muscle involved in the pattern of the step is released; and when a double damaging stimulus is applied to the primary receptor zone, the hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle is used to determine whether the stimulus of the damaging modality is selected correctly; a compensatory zone is searched for with a tendon clamped by applying a single stimulus of a damaging modality to the region of the receptor zones and the associated muscles with the impaired reflex activity during the application of the double stimulus of the damaging modality to the primary receptor zone, a disappearance of the hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle is used to determine whether the compensatory receptor zone is determined correctly; the temporary recovery of a normal myotatic reflex of the indicator muscle is used to determine whether the stimulus of the damaging modality is selected correctly is determined for the compensatory receptor zone; the primary and the compensatory zones are stimulated by the simultaneous application of the stimuli of the damaging modality determined for them, during which a deep tendon reflex is provoked.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein during the examining and questioning of the patient, complaints of pain are established, injured receptor zones with impaired activity are detected, pain symptoms are assessed on a scale of 1 to 10, a mobility and a stability of joint are assessed, a symmetry of body regions is assessed, pain symptoms are assessed with a change in body position (when lying down, sitting, standing, in a passive and an active movement).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein scars of any origin and statute of limitation, tattoos, piercings, head areas after injuries and contusions, areas of any fractures on the body, burns, frostbite, laser correction, removed skin warts (mole-marks, blotches), the dento-facial system after any dental interventions, any areas after cosmetic surgery, including injections, ligaments, tendons, cranial sutures, joints (joint receptors), skin damaged by dry tetters or other skin diseases, mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and genitals, areas after any physiotherapeutic treatment—vibration, heat, cold, areas in contact with chemical irritants, insect stings, snake bites, areas in contact with cold air, tongue, the ocular mucous membrane are identified as injured receptor areas with impaired activity.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein examining the patient can also involve analyzing a data of X-ray studies for structural pathologies.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein examining the patient involves differential diagnosis.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the testing for determining associated muscles with the impaired reflex activity is performed by a muscle test and/or an electromyography.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein during the preliminary diagnosing of the primary receptor zone with the impaired reflex activity, the single stimulus of the damaging modality is applied to it in a form of a stroking or applying a pressure.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein for searching for the primary receptor and the compensatory receptor zones, the single or the double stimulus of the damaging modality is selected from a group consisting of: a pressure, a vibration, a rough touch, a delicate touch, a pricking, a tickling, a scratching, a surface and a deep pressure, a stretching, an application of cold, an application of heat, an abrasion, a blowing air, direction of light to eyes, an odor, a taste, a sound, a limb movement.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tendon of the muscle involved in the pattern of the step is selected from a group consisting of: a tendon of a sternocleidomastoid muscle, a tendon of a rectus muscle of a thigh, a biceps tendon, an Achilles tendon.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the primary receptor and the compensatory receptor zones are searched for with two reciprocal tendons clamped.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the primary and the compensatory zones are repeatedly exposed to stimuli of the damaging modality selected for them and a deep tendon reflex is provoked.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein any muscle that is not associated with the muscles with the impaired reflex activity is selected as the indicator muscle.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the indicator muscle is a muscle selected from a group consisting of: a rectus muscle of thigh, a biceps muscle of an arm, a deltoid muscle.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the deep tendon reflex is provoked by a small hammer or a hand.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the primary receptor and the compensatory receptor zones where mechanoreceptors and/or nociceptors are damaged are searched for and stimulated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary Embodiments

Example 1

[0066] A female patient complained of pain in the right lumbar region which she had suffered from for 6 months when performing gymnastic exercises. The previous injuries included a fracture of the olecranon process of the right ulnar bone sustained 3 years ago.

[0067] When examining the right lumbar region, there are no visible edema or deformities, palpation is painless, she has a full range of active motions in the lumbar region with no pain. During the gymnastic exercise with arm load, a sharp pain occurs in the right lumbar region, which prevents from motion performance; instability in the right elbow joint is visually determined.

[0068] Differential diagnostics was performed. To this end, the patient was asked to repeat this exercise and the right elbow joint was stabilized with their hand, in this situation the element is performed in full and no pain occurs.

[0069] The muscles associated with the right elbow joint were tested using muscle testing, and hyporeflexia of the biceps and triceps muscles of the right shoulder was determined. Compression of the fracture area of the right olecranon process for 3-5 seconds recovered the myotatic reflex in these muscles, which may correspond to the primary zone with impaired reflex activity, where nociceptors are damaged.

[0070] The rectus muscle of the left thigh was selected as an indicator muscle. After that, the tendon of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle was clamped, the primary zone was exposed to a damaging stimulus in the form of pricking, which caused hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle. Hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle was also observed during synchronous pricks with two pricking tools without compression of the tendon. Therefore, the fracture zone is actually the primary zone of increased receptor activity, and pricking is a correctly selected damaging stimulus.

[0071] Subsequent patting of the fracture zone recovered the normal reflex activity of weak muscles for 3-5 seconds. Therefore, this stimulus is a correctly diagnosed stimulus of a damaging modality for the compensatory zone.

[0072] The pair of dysfunctional receptors was checked for whether it is correctly found: applying a double damaging stimulus to the primary zone in the form of pricking caused hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle, and concurrent application of a single damaging stimulus in the form of patting recovered the normal myotatic reflex of the indicator muscle.

[0073] After, the receptor imbalance in the fracture zone was eliminated: the primary and compensatory zones were simultaneously stimulated with appropriate damaging stimuli: the primary zone (the zone of the olecranon process fracture) was pricked, the compensatory zone (lateral epicondyle of the right shoulder) was patted, and a deep tendon reflex was provoked.

[0074] This procedure allowed recovering the normal myotatic reflex in the biceps and triceps muscles of the right shoulder. The performance of the gymnastic exercise was complete and painless. At the follow-up examination 2 weeks later, the patient reports the absence of previous complaints, all muscles previously involved in dysfunction were normotonic.

Example 2

[0075] A male patient complained of shoulder pain. He had no previous injuries, however, the patient feels the weakness of the entire limb (arm), the range of motion is deteriorated. The previous history includes a burn of his hand. The burn left a scar, but the patient does not feel any discomfort in the hand.

[0076] A muscle test of the forearm muscles showed the weakness of the round pronator, the long head of the biceps and flexors of the wrist. Electromyography showed a hyperresponse of the brachial muscle and the short biceps head.

[0077] To find the primary zone, the burn site was clamped, the tested muscles changed the response to a normotonic one. Therefore, damaged receptors are nociceptors, and the burn is the primary zone of altered receptor activity.

[0078] After that, the damaging stimulus was determined for the primary zone. The biceps of the right shoulder was selected as an indicator muscle. The tendon of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was clamped. Since the burn was reported in the history, the primary zone was exposed to stimulation with a hot thing—a spoon heated to a temperature of 45° C., which led to hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle, which also occurred even without compression of the tendon when a double damaging stimulus with hot things—spoons heated to a temperature of 45° C. were applied to the primary zone, wherein at first, one spoon was applied to the said zone and, without removing it, the second spoon was immediately applied.

[0079] Therefore, the zone of the burn is actually the primary zone of increased receptor activity, and heating is a correctly selected damaging stimulus.

[0080] Then, the compensatory zone was found. When a double damaging stimulus is applied to the primary zone in the form of hot spoons with the tendon of the sternocleidomastoid muscle clamped, during which the indicator muscle showed weakness, a stimulus in the form of pricking was applied from above directly in the burn area. A muscle test showed that the strength of the indicator muscle was recovered. Therefore, the compensatory zone is the tissues located in the burn area, and heating for the burn and pricking for the tissues surrounding the burn are correctly selected damaging stimuli.

[0081] Then, the primary and compensatory zones were simultaneously exposed to appropriate damaging stimuli: the primary zone (burn) was heated, the compensatory zone was pricked, and a deep tendon reflex was provoked by tapping.

[0082] After this procedure, a muscle test of the forearm muscles showed the recovery of the reflex activity of the round pronator, the long head of the biceps and flexors of the wrist. Electromyography showed normotonicity of the brachial muscle and the short biceps head. The pain in the shoulder almost disappeared.

Example 3

[0083] The patient complained of pain in his right knee joint during football games, especially at heavy-duty running exercises. A history of previous injuries includes a fall 1 year ago while skiing. The X-ray showed Degrees 1-2 right-sided gonarthrosis according to Kellgren-Lawrence. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the right knee showed Degree 1 gonarthrosis, moderate degenerative changes in the anterior cruciate ligament, and partial fraying. Examination of the right knee joint detects a slight smoothness of the joint contours, no visible edemas or deformations, palpation is painful in the projection of the lateral part of the joint space, the pain becomes more intense during sharp jerky movements. Active movements in the right knee joint have full range, are painless. Negative symptom of patellar fluctuation. The anterior drawer signs and Lachman test are slightly positive, the posterior drawer sign is negative, no lateral instability in the knee joint has been identified.

[0084] The muscles associated with the right knee joint were tested using muscle testing, and hyporeflexia of the right rectus muscle of thigh and hyporeflexia of hamstrings on the opposite side were determined. Taking into account the mechanism of the injury to the right lower limb sustained a year ago during skiing and the combination of hyporeflexia of the right rectus muscle of thigh and hamstrings on the opposite side, a dysfunction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee joint was assumed. Prior to the test, a dorsal displacement of the proximal tibia was performed, which decreased the tension of the anterior cruciate ligament. This resulted in the recovery of the myotatic reflex in these muscles, which may indicate the presence of a primary zone in the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee joint.

[0085] The biceps muscle of the right shoulder was chosen as the indicator muscle, the tendon of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle was clamped, and the stretching the anterior cruciate ligament was selected as a damaging stimulus to the right knee, reproducing the anterior drawer sign, which leads to hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle that appears during synchronous double shocks even without compression of the tendon. Therefore, the right knee joint is actually the primary zone of increased receptor activity, and stretching the anterior cruciate ligament is a correctly selected damaging stimulus. After, the compensatory zone was found and the stimulus corresponding to it was determined. When a double damaging stimulus is applied to the primary zone, which caused hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle, an anti-stimulus for mechanoreceptors (surface stroking) of the right knee joint lateral ligament was applied, which recovered the normal myotatic reflex of the indicator muscle for a short while, and stretching the lateral ligament of the right knee joint recovered the normal myotatic reflex completely.

[0086] After, the receptor imbalance in the fracture zone was eliminated. To this end, the primary and main compensatory zones were simultaneously stimulated with appropriate damaging stimuli: the primary zone (anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee joint) and the compensatory zone (lateral ligament of the right knee joint) were stretched and a deep tendon reflex was provoked.

[0087] After this procedure, the normal myotatic reflex of the right rectus muscle of thigh and hamstrings of the left thigh was recovered.

[0088] At the follow-up examination 2 weeks later, the patient reported the absence of pain during football games, the previously weak muscles were normotonic.

Example 4

[0089] The female patient complained of pain in the cervical spine, which became more intense when seated. The patient's work is related to a constant sitting position. She had no previous injuries. X-ray showed Degree 2 osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, Degrees 2-3 spondylosis. Asymmetry and a difference in the tone of the neck extensors are observed during the examination of the cervical spine. Palpation is harshly painful in the projection of the nuchal ligament at the level of C2-C3. The muscles associated with the cervical spine were tested using muscle testing and hyporeflexia of left neck extensors was determined in the sitting position and normoreflexia of these muscles was determined in the standing position. With the above complaints and hyporeflexive muscles in a sitting position, dysfunction of the pelvis or lumbar spine is probable. In the sitting position, the capsule of the right sacroiliac joint was stroked and the recovery of the myotatic reflex was observed in these muscles, which may correspond to the primary zone with the damaged Golgi receptor organ in the right sacroiliac joint.

[0090] The posterior portion of the left deltoid muscle was selected as an indicator muscle, the tendon of the right biceps was clamped, and a damaging stimulus was applied to the right sacroiliac joint in the form of stretching the joint capsule, which caused the hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle, which was also observed during synchronous double stretching of the capsule without compression of the tendon. Therefore, the right sacroiliac joint is actually the primary zone of increased receptor activity, and stretching the capsule of the right sacroiliac joint is a correctly selected damaging stimulus.

[0091] After, the compensatory zone was found and the stimulus corresponding to it was selected. When a double damaging stimulus is applied to the primary zone, which caused hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle, an anti-stimulus for mechanoreceptors (surface stroking) of the nuchal ligament area was applied, which recovered the normal myotatic reflex of the indicator muscle for a short while, and stretching the nuchal ligament recovered the normal myotatic reflex in full.

[0092] After, the receptor imbalance in the fracture zone was eliminated. To this end, the primary and main compensatory zones were simultaneously stimulated with appropriate damaging stimuli: the primary zone (sacroiliac joint to the right) and the compensatory zone (nuchal ligament to the left) were stretched and a deep tendon reflex was provoked.

[0093] This procedure resulted in the recovery of the normal myotatic reflex of neck extensors Immediately after the treatment, pain was observed to be relieved by 80%. At the follow-up examination 2 weeks later, the patient reported the absence of pain in the cervical spine.

Example 5

[0094] A male patient complained of pain in the right knee joint when walking. He had the following past injuries: he felt discomfort in the right lower limb for 2 weeks 3 years ago when jumping from a height of 3 meters. The X-ray showed Degree 2 right-sided gonarthrosis according to Kellgren-Lawrence. Ultrasonic scanning of the right knee joint showed signs of hypertrophy of the capsule of the superior recess, moderate degenerative changes in the posterior horns of both menisci. Examination of the right knee joint detects a slight smoothness of the joint contours, palpation is painful in the projection of the anteromedial part of the joint space, the pain becomes more intense in a standing position. Active movements in the right knee joint have full range, are painless. Negative symptom of patellar fluctuation. No joint instability is detected.

[0095] The muscles associated with the right knee joint were tested using muscle testing, and hyporeflexia of the quadriceps of the right thigh, adductors of the right thigh. Taking into account the axial mechanism of the injury to the right lower limb 3 years ago, tapping was performed through the calcaneal region over the entire right lower limb, which resulted in a deep tendon reflex. This resulted in the recovery of the myotatic reflex in these muscles, which may correspond to the area with primarily disturbed intraarticular paleospinoreticular nociceptor. When the primary zone was stimulated by tapping, the severity of dysfunction decreased.

[0096] After, differential diagnostics was performed. To this end, short impacts were made along the axis of the right hip joint and the right ankle joint, which did not provide back hyporeflexia of previously weak muscles, and an impact along the axis of the right knee joint caused hyporeflexia of the right quadriceps and the adductors of the right thigh.

[0097] The left rectus muscle of thigh was selected as an indicator muscle, the tendon of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle was clamped, and a damaging stimulus was applied to the right knee joint in the form of impacts along the axis of the right knee joint, which caused the hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle, which was also observed during synchronous double impacts without compression of the tendon. Therefore, the right knee joint is actually the primary zone of increased receptor activity, and short impacts along its axis are a correctly selected damaging stimulus.

[0098] After, the compensatory zone was found and the stimulus corresponding to it was determined. To this end, when a double damaging stimulus was applied to the primary zone in the form of a short impact along the axis, which resulted in hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle, a single stimulus was applied in the form of pricking in the area of the anteromedial part of the joint space of the right knee joint, which recovered the normal myotatic reflex of the indicator muscle.

[0099] After, the receptor imbalance in the fracture zone was eliminated. To this end, the primary and main compensatory zones were simultaneously stimulated with appropriate damaging stimuli: the primary zone (right knee joint) was tapped along the axis of the joint, and the compensatory zone (anteromedial part of the right knee joint) was pricked and a deep tendon reflex was provoked.

[0100] After this procedure, the normal myotatic reflex in the quadriceps and the adductors of the right thigh was recovered. At the follow-up examination 1 week later, the patient reported the absence of previous complaints, the previously weak muscles were normotonic.

Example 6

[0101] A female patient complained of pain in the Achilles tendons for 3 months, without positive changes in the treatment. Her previous injuries included the following: 3 years ago she dropped a heavy thing on her right foot, which resulted in a non-displaced fracture of the 3rd metatarsal bone. X-ray of her right foot showed a consolidated non-displaced fracture of the base of the right 3rd metatarsal bone. Ultrasonic scanning (ultrasound) of the her Achilles tendons showed signs of bilateral achillobursitis. Examination of the region of her Achilles tendons identified the smoothness of the contours and edema, palpation is sharply painful in the projection of the Achilles bursas and the Achilles tendon, the integrity of the tendon is not broken. The patient walks with a hobble. Testing the muscles associated with the ankle joints is not objective since it causes severe pain.

[0102] The right biceps was selected as an indicator muscle, the tendon of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle was clamped, and the modality of the broken receptors in the area of the Achilles tendon was determined. To this end, this zone was exposed to various damaging stimuli—pricking, patting and stroking, however, only stroking the right and left Achilles tendons resulted in hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle, which did not appear during synchronous stroking with the tendon non compressed. Therefore, the zone of the clinical manifestations is the compensatory zone of increased receptor activity, and stroking is a correctly selected damaging stimulus. Then, the primary zone was preliminarily searched for. The tendon of the left sternomastoid muscle was clamped and the right Achilles tendon was stroked, which resulted in hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle, and the compression of the area of the metatarsal fracture returned the normoreflexia of the indicator muscle. The same thing happened when the left Achilles tendon was stimulated.

[0103] For a more accurate determination of the primary zone, the tendon of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle was clamped and the fracture area was pricked as a damaging stimulus, which resulted in hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle, which also occurred during synchronous pricks with two pricking tools with the tendon non clamped. Therefore, the fracture zone is actually the primary zone of increased receptor activity, and pricking is a correctly selected damaging stimulus.

[0104] After, the pair of dysfunctional receptors was checked for whether it was correctly found. To this end, while the tendon of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle was clamped, a damaging stimulus was applied to the primary zone in the form of pricking, which caused hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle. After, a single stimulus was applied in the form of stroking to the compensatory zone in the region of the Achilles tendons, which recovered the normal myotatic reflex of the indicator muscle. Therefore, these areas with clinical manifestations are compensatory, and stimulating only the region of the right Achilles tendon eliminates the hyporeflexia of the indicator muscle caused by double stimulation (pricking) of the fracture area.

[0105] After, the receptor imbalance in the fracture zone was eliminated: the primary and main compensatory zones were simultaneously stimulated with appropriate damaging stimuli: the primary zone of the metatarsal fracture to the right was stimulated by pricking, the compensatory zone of the right Achilles tendon was stimulated by stroking and a deep tendon reflex was provoked. After this procedure, the pain decreased by 50%. At the follow-up examination 1 week later, the patient reported the absence of previous complaints, there was no visible edema, there was no palpatory soreness. She walked with full physical load.

[0106] Therefore, the correct selection of stimuli of damaging modality increases the effectiveness and accuracy of the diagnosis of disorders in the reflex activity of muscles, since the exact location of the primary and compensatory zones is confirmed during the determination of these stimuli. Stimuli of a damaging modality for the primary and compensatory zones can be determined for any types of damage to mechanoreceptors and nociceptors in various parts of the human body.

[0107] Since the proposed method provides for the recovery of muscular reflex activity for any type of damage to mechanoreceptors and nociceptors, the treatment efficacy is increased. The method has a wider scope of application, since it recovers muscle reflex activity with a wide variety of zones of impaired receptor activity, which can be scars of any origin, tattoos, piercings, places of limb injuries, head areas (effects of injuries and contusions), areas of any fractures on the body, burns, frostbite, laser correction, removed skin warts (mole-marks, blotches), the dento-facial system after any dental interventions, any areas after cosmetic surgery, including injections.

[0108] As shown by the above clinical trials, the proposed method provides a complete and irreversible recovery of the range of motion and stability of the joints without the need for subsequent wearing of various devices. After treatment, no physiotherapy or painkillers are needed, the patient can load their muscles with exercises, even if they have been hyporeflexive for a long time.

[0109] The proposed method increases the compensatory resources of the body, recovers muscle activity and range of motion, relieves pain symptoms.