Fasciatherapy, what should we understand by this? French experts’ perspective

A la poursuite d’une représentation plus précise des fasciathérapies et dans l’esprit de cette tache entreprise avec l’aide de trois référents US, Anglais et Allemand, une nouvelle série d’interviews accordée par trois experts français est proposée au lecteur.In the pursuing of a more accurate representation of fasciatherapies and in the spirit of this task started with US, British and German specialists in the topic of fascia, a new series of three French experts is offered to the readers

Vascular Fasciatherapy Danis Bois Method: a Study on Mechanism Concerning the Supporting Point Applied on Arteries

Background: A first study on vascular fasciatherapy enabled us to observe the turning of a turbulent blood flow into a laminar one, and a questioning on the process involved in this transformation emerged. The first question was: What is the nature of artery from the point of view of fascia? And a second question was: Which is the link permitting the observed process working in our first study? So this time, we are investigating a specific aspect of the big question that polarizes the interest of many researchers: “What is fascia?” Methods: Following Donald Ingber’s statement, “It is necessary to understand how tissues and organs are structured across multiple size scales”, our research methods have been established in order to collect information on what is artery and what is fascia. Concerning these two organs, we have questioned science across the scales of embryology, anatomy, histology and cytology. Beyond the knowledge on structure, the functional link between artery and fascia is the necessary complement of this study whose starting point is in fact a questioning on process. As an application of this study, vascular fasciatherapy Danis-Bois Method and mechanotransduction have been investigated in theoretical and in research aspects to improve the understanding of how they work. Results: The embryological approach points out a common origin and a histofunctional community of connective tissue and artery. As organs, arteries are sheathed by the adventia-fascia, and are penetrated by connective tissue extensions in media and intima. Furthermore, the functional point of view of this study reports the knowledge on mechanotransduction involving artery, both from the connective side and from the luminal side. Functional anatomy, surgery, histology, and cytology integrating the theory of the extended cytoskeleton, underline continuity from the static and functional points of view, with tensegrity being the architectural principle linking molecules to the entire body. Conclusion: By answering these questions, we are attempting a better understanding of the mechanisms occurring in the progress of the arterial supporting point. One could presume that it relaxes adventitia and media, locally and all along the arterial network. Its action could also extend inward to the intima and on blood, as well as outwards to the neighboring connective tissue. By its local and remote action, it may be useful when diseases associate general perturbations and arterial disorders, like in high blood pressure or in aging

Fasciatherapy in 2019: Perception study in France among the general public

Cette étude de perception de la fasciathérapie contribue à l’effort de labellisation des pratiques non-conventionnelles. Elle repose sur la collecte de témoignages au sein du grand public. Un questionnaire a été administré dans un marché de rue parisien, choisi pour la diversité de sa fréquentation. Il est composé d’un large éventail de questions de divers types. Trois domaines relatifs à la fasciathérapie sont explorés : notoriété, nature du soin, sources d’information concernant le sujet. Le recueil des données en face à face a priorisé l’immédiateté, l’homogénéité. 102 personnes, 82 clients, 20 commerçants. 100 % des commerçants et 70 % des clients ignorent la fasciathérapie. 25 personnes en avaient connaissance, dont 9 par expérience. 99 personnes ne connaissent aucun nom de méthode. L’opinion en a une image nettement positive et lui attribue une nature de traitement manuel. Thérapeutique alternative 15 fois/19, complémentaire 22 fois/22 s’étant exprimés. L’information repose principalement sur le bouche-à-oreille. Parmi les 25 personnes ayant connaissance de la fasciathérapie, 18 sont insatisfaites, 3 satisfaites des sources d’information. Cette étude sur la fasciathérapie au sein du grand public fait le triple constat d’une grande méconnaissance, d’une forte insatisfaction vis-à-vis des sources d’information, et d’une perception globalement très favorable. Au terme de cette étude, il apparaît prioritaire de développer la communication. S’adresser à des groupes ciblés susceptibles d’être plus avertis des choses de la santé, permettrait peut-être d’affiner le bilan du perçu de la fasciathérapie dans la France de 2019, ainsi que le suggèrent certains éléments de cette étude.This perception study of fasciatherapy is a contribution to the labelling effort of alternative medicine. It is based on collecting general public experiences concerning the name of fasciatherapy. The questionnaire was administrated on a chosen Parisian street market for its diversity of customers. This questionnaire is made of a wide range of several types of questions. It explores three different domains about fasciatherapy: awareness, kind of healthcare and source of information. Immediacy and homogeneity in data collection was a priority. Population: 102 respondents, 82 customers, 20 market stallholders. 100% of the market stallholders and 70% of the customers did not know fasciatherapy. 25 people knew about it, 9 of them from experience. 99 people have no knowledge of any method name. People’s opinion is clearly favourable, and it is credited with being a manual therapy. An alternative therapeutic: 15 out of 19 respondents, a complementary one: 22 out of 22 respondents. Information is mainly based on word-of-mouth. Among the 25 people aware of fasciatherapy, 18 are dissatisfied, 3 are satisfied with the information sources. This study on fasciatherapy among the general public shows a threefold result: a large unawareness, and dissatisfaction, with the sources of information, in contrast with a very positive perception of fasciatherapy. At the end of this study, developing communication is clearly seen to be of prime importance. By addressing targeted groups who may be more informed of things concerning health, could perhaps refine the status of the perception of fasciatherapy in 2019 France, as certain elements of this study suggest

Fasciatherapy, what should we understand by this? International experts’ perspective

Les fasciathérapies, comme toutes les interventions médicamenteuses, doivent répondre à un certain nombre d’exigences pour gagner leur place dans l’ensemble des actions de santé et de soins déjà existants. Fonder les offres sur des preuves d’efficacité, d’innocuité et d’efficience est un point. Le second est de les définir sans ambiguïté. Et cette tâche qui participe au « faire connaître les bonnes pratiques » ne s’avère pas moins difficile. Trois experts des fascias et des thérapies manuelles qui exercent aux USA, en Grande Bretagne et en Allemagne ont été interviewés et donnent leur opinion sur ce que sont les fascias et ce qu’ils entendent par fasciathérapie. Dans l’attente de celle de trois experts français qui seront publiées dans un numéro à venir.Like all nonpharmacological interventions (NPIs) fasciatherapies must meet several requirements to be recognized along with already existing therapeutics. Firstly, the offer must be based on evidence of efficacy and safety. Secondly new NPIs must be defined accurately. Nevertheless, it is as difficult to define new NPI as it is to prove its efficacy. Three experts in fascias and manual therapy from the USA, UK and Germany have been interviewed. Their opinion on what are fascias and what is encompassed in the term fasciatherapy has been collected. In the meantime, the opinions of three French experts will be published in a coming publication

Assessment of the effects of reflexology: a discussion about a study on daily stress

La validation des Interventions Non Médicamenteuses (INM) repose sur un processus d’évaluation en plein développement. Dans le domaine des INM, la double contrainte des règles méthodologiques scientifiques et de celles des thérapeutiques centrées sur la personne rend la démonstration complexe. L’essai contrôlé randomisé considéré comme le nec plus ultra en termes de niveau de preuve est souvent délicat à instaurer et n’est pas exempt de biais. Lors des 1es journées du GETCOP centrées sur la réflexothérapie, nous avons présenté une étude d’évaluation de pratiques de plusieurs INM (réflexologie, fasciathérapie, hypnose, musicothérapie) menées en parallèle. Cette étude pragmatique, ouverte, non randomisée, multicentrique porte sur le stress du quotidien chez des sujets a priori sains. Son objectif était d’évaluer l’effet d’une séance, comparativement à une procédure témoin de repos, puis de les comparer entre elles. L’anxiété du moment pour critère de jugement, a été mesurée à l’aide du STAI-Y avant et après une séance pour chaque technique. L’échantillon totalise 308 personnes. La comparaison avec le groupe témoin de repos a montré une différence significative de moyenne d’état anxieux pour la réflexologie, la fasciathérapie et l’hypnose. La comparaison des 4 groupes intervention entre eux montre que l’abaissement du niveau d’anxiété obtenu par la réflexologie, la fasciathérapie et l’hypnose ne diffère pas significativement entre eux et est supérieur à celui de la musicothérapie. Une discussion approfondie des résultats et de la méthodologie de cette étude est ensuite menée, souhaitant ainsi porter contribution aux études à venir.The validation of Non-pharmacological Interventions (NPIs) rests upon a process of evaluation in full development. In the field of NPIs, the double constraint of the scientific methodological rules with those of patient-centred approaches makes it complex to demonstrate. The randomized controlled trial considered as being the ultimate best in terms of proof level, is often delicate to implement and is not free of bias. In the course of the first occurrence of the GETCOP Days focusing on reflexotherapy we presented a study for the evaluation of several NPI practices (reflexology, fasciatherapy, hypnosis, music therapy) carried out in parallel. This pragmatic study, open nonrandomized and multicenter, focuses on daily stress in subjects a priori in good health. Its purpose was to evaluate the effect of a single session of these NPIs, compared to a resting control group, and then to compare them to one another. The state of anxiety as the primary endpoint was measured with the help of the STAI-Y at pre and post session, and for each technique. The sample totals 308 persons. The comparison with the rest control group indicates a significant difference of the state of anxiety in the case of reflexology, fasciatherapy and hypnosis. The comparison of the four intervention groups with one another indicates that the lowering of the anxiety level obtained by reflexology, fasciatherapy and hypnosis does not significantly differ from the one to the other and is significantly superior to that obtained by music therapy. Based on this study, an in-depth discussion of results and methodology may also contribute to upcoming studies

Fasciatherapy and Reflexology compared to Hypnosis and Music Therapy in Daily Stress Management

Background: Patients suffering from stress symptoms due to every-day life who are looking for a nonpharmacological response to their relief expectation are many. Furthermore, early reckoning of the day-to-day stress which may lead to clinical diagnosis is the best way of preventing the stress-related diseases. Among the many alternative medicinal options, there is little evidence that fasciatherapy (Fs) and reflexology (Rf) are effective in this field.Purpose: assess incidence of fasciatherapy Danis Bois Method (DBM) and of reflexology on patients’ stress level in everyday-life, and provide a more informed choice among the numerous mind and body techniques by comparing them with hypnosis (Hp) and music therapy (Mt).Settings: Specialized Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) centres for outpatients. Participants: 308 individuals (average age =50.53 SD 14.37, 93 males, 215 females) going to the centres for health care, but free from serious diseases and not heavily medicated respecting the inclusion criteria and providing valid forms.Research Design: Four armed, non-randomized observational pragmatic trial with pretest–posttest repeated measures, on separate samples ofnatural groups.Intervention: According to the centre participants where they used to be treated, they were exposed to a single semi-standardized session of a technique of their choice: Fs, Rf, Hp, Mt. Volunteers had a controlled non-intervention resting (Rt) session.Main Outcome Measures: Mean STAI-Y assessing anxiety as reflecting the stress level: MANCOVA and ANCOVA performed with Tukey’s HSD.Results: MANCOVA indicates a significant reduction of anxiety (p < .01) in each condition, resting included. ANCOVA performance adjusting on stress level in T0 (41.73) and on the mean sumscore of the trait (44.89), Fs (-13.92), Rf (-15.92), and Hp (-15.88) were equally effective on the stress level decrease. Mt (-10.0) and Rt (-6.38) showed the same level of effectiveness.Conclusions: The results suggest fasciatherapy DBM, hypnosis, and reflexology could be used as non-pharmacological and safe interventions in stress management. Though showing a lesser efficiency, music therapy could be useful in different circumstances