The Perrin Technique
The Perrin Technique
The Perrin Technique™ is a manual method that aids the diagnosis and treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ME/CFS and was developed in 1989 by British osteopath and neuroscientist Dr Raymond Perrin DO PhD.
The Perrin Technique™ is an osteopathic approach that manually stimulates the fluid motion around the brain and spinal cord. Manipulation of the spine further aids drainage of these toxins out of the cerebrospinal fluid. Massage of the soft tissues in the head, neck, back and chest direct all the toxins out of the lymphatic system and into the blood, where they are eventually detoxified in the liver. Eventually with no poisons affecting the brain, the sympathetic nervous system begins to function correctly, and providing the patients do not overstrain themselves their symptoms should gradually improve and in time some patients become totally symptom free (Perrin 2021).
How does it work?
The Perrin Technique treatment uses gentle massage of the soft tissues, head, neck, back and chest areas to stimulate the movement of fluids around the brain, spinal cord and lymphatic system. This helps to balance and normalise the function of the sympathetic nervous system and lymphatic system to alleviate the disruption of normal body functions and improve overall health and quality of life.
The treatment consists of a self-treatment massage protocol that you do at home daily, as well as treatment with a licensed practitioner to receive the massage and the cranial treatment aspect of the protocol.
Dr Perrin’s theory is that stress factors whether they be physical, infections, environmental, emotional or a combination of, lead to an overload of the sympathetic nervous system. This results in a build up of toxins in the fluid around the brain & spinal cord and surrounding tissues contributing to the wide range of symptoms associated with ME/CFS.
Licensed Practitioners
Your licensed Perrin Practitioner will have trained directly with Dr Perrin in all that is the Perrin Technique. As well as continuing to learn about research updates by attending the yearly Perrin Technique Convention.
All licensed practitioners are experienced in the cranial osteopathy /cranial-sacral treatment approach.
It is recommended that you have weekly treatments with a practitioner for the intial 12 weeks. In this time you will continue to carry out the self-treatment protocol at home daily.
The Perrin Technique has shown to be beneficial in helping not just ME/CFS but also fibromyalgia, post-viral fatigue and long covid.
See the latest research… Reducing fatigue-related symptoms in Long COVID-19: a preliminary report of a lymphatic drainage intervention – PMC (nih.gov)
What happens during a consultation?
Your intial consultation is assessment & diagnosis only and is for 90 minutes.
Your practitioner will take a detailed case history of your past medical history and current symptoms and you will have completed 2 questionnaires prior to your appointment which will aid in the diagnostic process.
As clinicians we want to confirm your previous diagnosis’s by using the detailed IACFS and Perrin diagnostic criteria. A physical examination will be carried out as part of the process, for which you will sign a consent form.
You will received advice on gentle movements and supplements recommended to support your body during the treatment process.
At your second appointment you will be taken through the self-treatment protocol and receive your first practitioner Perrin treatment. This appointment is for 1 hour.
Further appointments are 30-40 mins.
