The following is a brief outline of the development of the technique as practiced by the Morgan Clinics. This particular technique was developed in 1957 by the late Ray Morgan and the late Harley Blows. Ray Morgan had a medical background as a staff nurse during World War II and later as a Health Inspector, whilst Harley Blows had a background of osteopathy and Swedish massage techniques, which provided the basis for the form of therapy they devised. The two techniques they based their work on were Grays’ Anatomy and Ballieres Anatomy.
It was initially a “trial and error” programme, but as they were both well versed in anatomy and physiology the “error” situation was practically non-existent.
The method of treatment is very gentle – it does not use the “push and shove” of a chiropractor. It is very specific – it treats the cause not just the condition as one might expect with a physiotherapist.
It is a gentle corrective manipulation of the spine to alleviate pressure to the nervous system caused by an imbalance of the vertebrae in a specific area.
There is only “finger light” pressure used that patients with cervical and lumbar fractures have been treated with no detrimental effects. For the most part patients are unaware of anything having been done.
The two areas mainly treated by this technique are the cervical and lumbar spine because of their susceptibility to injury, and to a lesser degree the thoracic spine though this region is less susceptible because of the reinforcement to this area by the rib cage.
Manipulation is achieved by employing the use of the patient’s muscle strength and control of these muscles in specific areas while using light pressure on either side of the vertebrae to adjust the alignment as the patient moves the muscles in this area. By this method we can successfully treat:
Migraines/headaches Bells Facial Palsy
Neuralgia Tinnitus
Sinusitis Nausea
Optic problems e.g. blurred vision Torticollis (wry neck)
Frozen shoulders Tennis Elbow
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury)
Numbness Sore Shoulders
Sore Arms Pain between shoulders
Pain between shoulder blades Pain in rib area (Latisimus Dorsi)
Pain in Sternum (Hiatus Hernia) Lumbago
Pain in the hips Sciatica
Piriformis Syndrome Groin pain/strain
Knee pain Calf pain
Ankle/Foot pain Achilles problem
Bedwetting Bladder problems (retention, frequency)
Menstrual (pain, frequency) Impotency
Hemorrhoids Fallen Arches
Etc.
For the majority of the above it normally requires two or three visits to correct the problem over a two to four-day period. This compares favorably with two to three weeks with current practices.
In some instances, the recovery is slower, bedwetting for instance, taking five to six visits over a period of four months, a frozen shoulder, taking five to six visits over four weeks.
In the late 50’s and early 60’s the trend was towards the use of heat and massage but by the mid 60’s a move was made away from these techniques because it was found that the use of heat and/or massage, though soothing at the time, inflamed the tissue by over-stimulating the nerves in that area thereby reducing the rate of recovery.
Applied heat in any form is found to prolong the remedial processes of the body. This includes hot spas, saunas, electric blankets, hot baths etc.
Massage and massage units, for example, vi*****rs were found to have a similar effect by the over-stimulation of the nerves.
Liniments or embrocations too, were found to have a detrimental effect on the tissue because of the acute burning nature of the product. And though it desensitized the area to which it was applied it also caused the muscles to contract, therefore reducing the circulation in that area and again significantly reducing recovery rate.
Any of the above were found to more than double the recovery time of the affected tissue.
With this in mind it was found that ICE used in the correct manner stimulated circulation and thereby increased the rate of recovery by more than double. In other words, compared to heat, ice will assist recovery four times faster.
Ice is not the total answer – it is only a means by which we can accelerate recovery – but it must be used correctly. Used for periods of twenty minutes or more, as is commonly seen by athletes strapping ice to an injury is as detrimental as using heat, illustrated by frost bite or “cold burns”.
Ice used for five to ten seconds on the affected area once every two to four hours is the fastest path to recovery.
Generally speaking if there has been no improvement in a patient’s condition after two to three visits we refer the patient back to their GP or suggest another form of treatment which might benefit them.
