Evidence of Bone Repair Using Matrix Repatterning A Case Report
Dr. George B. Roth, DC, ND, CMRP Oliver Hartan, RMT, CMRP
ABSTRACT
Case Study: A young girl presents with long‐standing non‐union of a surgically‐induced fracture of the right tibia and subsequent evidence of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia 1. This case outlines the effects of a brief intervention using Matrix Repatterning (see below under “Methods”).
Methods: Matrix Repatterning uses a manual scanning procedure to determine the location of primary restrictions, followed by mechanical testing to determine specific vectors of fascial tension. Treatment involves the application of gentle manual therapy coupled with a biocompatible magnetic field. Six treatments were administered over a period of three months. Radiographs of the involved tibia were compared before and after the treatment regime.
Results: Significant improvement in osseous integrity was demonstrable after the completion of the treatment regime.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that Matrix Repatterning procedures may be beneficial in the treatment of certain types of osseous injury, including fracture non‐union and other degenerative conditions associated with injury. These results suggest that a randomized controlled trial within a broader population base might be indicated.
Key Words: Matrix Repatterning, primary restriction, indicator, resistance barrier, piezoelectricity, mechanotransduction
George B. Roth, BSc, DC, ND, CMRP:
Private practice, Director of Education, Matrix Institute Mailing address:
100 Allstate Parkway, Ontario, Canada
Website: www.matrixinstitute.net
Email: g.roth@matrixinstitute.net
INTRODUCTION
Fibrous dysplasia is an uncommon bone disorder in which scar‐like (fibrous) tissue develops in place of normal bone. This irregular tissue can weaken the affected bone and cause it to deform or fracture. In most cases, fibrous dysplasia occurs at a single site in one bone, but can occur at multiple sites in multiple bones. Single bone involvement usually occurs in adolescents and young adults. People who have more than one affected bone typically develop symptoms before the age of 10. Although fibrous dysplasia is a genetic disorder, it's caused by a gene mutation that's not passed from parent to child. There's no cure for the disorder. Treatment, which may include surgery, focuses on relieving pain and repairing or stabilizing bones1.
Allie* is a teenage girl who has struggled her whole life with debilitating structural bone conditions. Her issues began at approximately 1 year of age when she broke her right tibia, near the distal growth plate. The tibia did not grow normally after that injury. Ultimately, she was diagnosed with a serious bone disorder called fibrous dysplasia.
At age 9, she had a significant surgery to lengthen the affected leg. After the surgery, while recovering in an air‐cast, she broke her tibia again. Despite an endless array of further invasive surgeries (including the insertion of a Fassier‐Duval rod), medications and the use of a bone stimulator, the problems persisted and she was told that her leg would continue to deteriorate. By the time she was 14, Allie was in constant pain and unable to walk without the use of assistive devices.
Provided with the information that Allie’s condition was incurable, her mother sought out other alternatives. Upon researching information about the possible benefits of Matrix Repatterning, she sought the services of a Certified Matrix Repatterning Practitioner (Oliver Hartan RMT, CMRP).
METHODS
Matrix Repatterning is based on an evolving model of the underlying structure of organic tissue, referred to in this context, as the Tensegrity Matrix* – that may explain the complex interrelationship of all the structural components of the body. It extends the basic concept of the tissue response to injury, beyond the level of joint, muscle and ligament, to include all structures of the body as potential sources of dysfunction.
Matrix Repatterning is a manual approach, which addresses the primary sources of dysfunction in the connective tissue‐fascial system (Primary Restrictions). It incorporates objective and reproducible methods, based on a scientific foundation of structural pathophysiology. Treatment is gentle and painless, and results in global biomechanical reorganization and postural stabilization, encouraging the body towards normal, pain‐free function. It is currently in use by physical therapists, chiropractors, physicians, osteopaths, athletic trainers, massage therapists and veterinarians on six continents and twelve countries around the world.
In the Matrix Repatterning scanning procedure, one hand is used to monitor the tissue resistance in an area of the body, referred to as the indicator, while the Matrix Scanner, a device which produces a bio‐compatible magnetic field, is systematically placed on a series of other locations. The response of the Indicator (a reduction in tissue tension) is used to verify the location of the primary restrictions. Various parts of the body may be used as an indicator to test the rest of the body, based on convenience for the practitioner and/or comfort for the patient. Common areas include the rib cage, the shoulder girdle, or any large muscle belly.
Since the fascial system of the body is interconnected, via the extracellular matrix, as a continuous fabric or kinetic chain, when the Matrix Scanner is placed over a primary restriction, that source of tension is temporarily reduced, resulting in a slight relaxation of the entire body. Monitored at the indicator site, this results in a sense of greater ‘give’ or depth of excursion. Therefore, the part of the body being scanned, which caused the indicator to relax, is considered to be a primary restriction.
Treatment is applied to the identified tissues associated with the primary restriction. This involves a gentle form of manual pressure, applied to specifically determined mechanical vectors, along with the scanner, which produces a similar effect. The mechanism of conversion of the pathophysiological state to one of more normal tone due to the application of manual methods has been speculated on several researchers7. The so‐called release process (tissue relaxation) may be the result of the generation of piezoelectric current and the resulting release of the static or stored electrical charge in the area of treatment. Theoretically, this allows the molecular structure of the cells and the extracellular matrix to return to normotonic state. As each of several vectors of restriction is released in this manner, the injury or primary restriction is restored to a normal state of tissue tone. The therapeutic process involves the identification of any and all primary restrictions accumulated over a lifetime, and their systematic treatment in priority sequence. This typically leads to a restoration of optimal biomechanical and physiological function, resulting in an improvement in overall well‐being.
*Tensegrity Matrix: This structural designation is based on evidence developed by a leading researcher in the field of cellular mechanics and structure:
“Re‐evaluation of human pathophysiology in this context reveals that a wide range of diseases included within virtually all fields of medicine and surgery share a common feature: their etiology or clinical presentation results from abnormal mechanotransduction. This process may be altered by changes in cell mechanics, variations in extracellular matrix structure, or by deregulation of the molecular mechanisms by which cells sense mechanical signals and convert them into a chemical or electrical response. Molecules that mediate mechanotransduction, including extracellular matrix molecules, transmembrane integrin receptors, cytoskeletal structures and associated signal transduction components, may therefore represent targets for therapeutic intervention in a variety of diseases. Mechanotransduction – the process by which cells sense and respond to mechanical signals – is mediated by extracellular matrix, transmembrane integrin receptors, cytoskeletal structures and associated signaling molecules.
Mechanical forces are critical regulators of cellular biochemistry and gene expression as well as tissue development. Many ostensibly unrelated diseases share a common feature that their etiology or clinical presentation results from abnormal mechanotransduction. Mechanotransduction may be altered through changes in cell mechanics, extracellular matrix structures or by deregulation of the molecular mechanisms by which cells sense mechanical signals or convert them into a chemical response. Molecules that mediate mechanotransduction may represent future targets for therapeutic intervention in a variety of diseases. Insights into the mechanical basis of tissue regulation also may lead to development of improved medical devices, engineered tissues, and biomimetic materials for tissue repair and reconstruction”
Donald e. ingber MD PhD
Cell Biologist
RESULTS
Radiographs were taken at the surgeon’s office before the treatment plan began (Figures 1, 2). Six 45‐minute sessions of Matrix Repatterning were administered over a 3 month period. New radiographs were taken 4 months after the previous series. These revealed a significant amount of bone regeneration (Figures 3, 4). The only treatment she had received during that time was Matrix Repatterning. (Post‐script: in November 2018, the metal rod was removed and Allie’s condition continues to improve.)
Following her course of therapy, Allie had significant pain reduction and was able to walk comfortably without assistance. Today she is virtually pain free and able to ambulate without the use of assistive devices.
CONCLUSIONS
This case demonstrates the potential value of a gentle, non‐invasive, targeted approach to restore damaged tissue and allow for the regeneration of osseous tissue. Bone is essentially a collagen framework, much like the rest of the connective tissue system. The assumption that it is a rigid, non‐malleable tissue has been revealed to be largely erroneous10. It is subject to structural alteration due to injury, and with the appropriate therapeutic application, may be restored to a relatively normal, functional state. This implies that Matrix Repatterning may be applicable to a wide range of common types of physical injury, resulting in pain and limited function. It is the view of this author that further study in this area is warranted.
DISCUSSION
The present discussion is limited to a case report on one case of osseous non‐union and a presumptive diagnosis of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia. Research at the University of California6, has revealed the ultrastructural response to osseous injury, confirming the author’s long‐held premise that injury results in the alteration of bone size and shape. These changes appear to occur throughout the connective tissue‐fascial system. It may simply be more observable with bone, due to its density. Matrix Repatterning incorporates a novel approach to the determination of the location of primary tissue response to injury (primary restrictions). Documented clinical evidence to date, implies that this approach is also effective In a wide range of musculoskeletal and structural disorders, including spinal and appendicular musculoskeletal conditions, as well as a variety of functional disorders, such as GERD, snoring and sleep apnea and TBI9. This approach is based on the application of the principal of fascial continuity inherent in a new, proven model of structure at the microscopic and macroscopic levels2, 3. Treatment is gentle and painless, and can often result in global reorganization and postural stabilization, encouraging the body towards normal, pain‐free function.
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