MANUAL THERAPY

      Manual Therapy refers to the therapeutic use of the hands to diagnose and treat illness.  Various forms of manual therapy (e.g., osteopathy, chiropractic, neuropathy, massage, etc.) were recommended by Edgar Cayce.   In fact, manual therapy (especially osteopathy) was one of the most frequently suggested treatments prescribed in the Cayce readings for a wide variety of conditions.

    The medical scene has changed somewhat from Cayce's time when there were an abundance of osteopathic physicians.  Although finding an osteopath today who practices manual therapy is more difficult than in the previous era, osteopathic physicians are still available.  Furthermore, chiropractic has increased in popularity, and for most people, is a more accessible form of manual therapy.  Massage therapy is also becoming much more prominent and available to the general public.

SPINAL ADJUSTMENTS

     Edgar Cayce often recommended osteopathic treatment for persons suffering from a wide range of medical conditions.  Most modern osteopaths do not do manipulations in the traditional manner preferred in the readings.  If you find one who is knowledgeable and capable in traditional osteopathic techniques, you are indeed fortunate.  Other health care professionals (such as chiropractors) may be able to give the treatments.

    The main focus of spinal adjustments as described in the Cayce readings is to:

• Make specific corrections to the spine to relieve pressure on nerves, paying particular attention to the upper thoracic and cervical vertebrae where nerves provide impulse to the sinus region,
• Stimulate the eliminating systems of the body to increase drainages, both generally and locally (during an acute sinusitis episode),
• Coordinate the nervous systems,
• Improve assimilations through the digestive system.

    Frequency of treatment varies depending upon the individual.  In most cases, Edgar Cayce recommended that treatment be given once or twice a week.  Some persons were told to get more frequent treatments for their serious condition.

    In several instances, Edgar Cayce told individuals that if they could not obtain osteopathic treatment where they lived, the use the electrically-driven vibrator would produce similar results.
He said that the vibrator would help to produce coordination in the nervous systems and the circulatory systems, which were important effects of properly given osteopathic treatment.

    Edgar Cayce also specifically recommended the electrically-driven vibrator as an adjunct to chiropractic.  Unlike the osteopaths of that era, the chiropractors did not typically use coordinating treatments.  Hence the vibrator was recommended to assist in the coordination of the nervous system.

    Here are some typical excerpts from the Cayce readings which refer to the use of the electrically driven vibrator.  In general, the pattern of use was to move downward along the spine.  In some instances, vibration of the abdomen was also recommended.  If you have problems with assimilation or eliminations, you will probably benefit from including the abdominal pattern in your treatment.

(Q)  Should osteopathic treatments be continued?  If so, how often?
(A)  With the adjustments that have been made (which are fairly well aligned), the electrically driven vibrations - if applied in any reasonable manner - would be as effective. Then once a month, or once in two months, or three months, have a general treatment osteopathically.  Save money and save yourself too!  (1048-3)

    Every day, preferably in the evening, use the Electrically Driven Vibrator across the lower portion of the cerebrospinal system, from the base of the brain to the end of the spine.  Use the applicator that forms a suction upon the body itself; that is, the cup applicator.  Then, use it across the abdomen; following the line of the colon, from the liver area down to the caecum, or opposite the right hip bone, then up and across the abdomen just below the navel and then down to the left side opposite the left hip bone.  If these instructions are followed, it will require about fifteen to eighteen to twenty minutes.  Don't just run the vibrator over those areas, but take time to give a thorough treatment.  Come down, you see, along the cerebrospinal system - that's along the backbone, on either side of the backbone, and especially across the lower portion of the PELVIS area - that's across the small of the back and to the end of the spine!  COME DOWN the spine, you see, with the strokes; not just running the machine back and forth!  Then use it across the ABDOMEN, coming down from the liver area on the right side to the caecum, or that area just below or opposite the right hip bone.  Then up just a little farther, you see, to the left; to that area directly below the navel area but on the right side.  Then cross under the navel to the left portion of the colon.  This is following, of course, the course of the colon.  (1572-1)

MASSAGE 

    Edgar Cayce often recommended massage to:

• relax the body,
• increase flexibility and mobility,
• increase blood and lymph flow (circulation),
• aid in elimination of wastes.

    A wide variety of massage formats were recommended, including Swedish massage, neuropathic massage, and osteopathic massage.

    For conditions requiring the use of electrotherapy (such as the wet cell battery), massage is an important adjunct therapy which is given immediately after the battery session to "distribute the vibratory energies" from the battery.  In such an application, be sure to spend some time giving a "rotary" or "circular" massage along the spine, spending extra time at the location where the small copper plate was attached during the Wet Cell session.