An inflexibility and inflammation root-cause approach to treatment

"In medicine, empiric therapy is treatment that is administered based on the probability of success because we don't have all of the information. We make our 'best guess.' Actually, empiric decision-making exists in our everyday lives — running the garbage disposal when the sink is clogged, jiggling the key in the lock when it doesn't turn. Mr. Thomas was in stable condition, and I estimated that his chances of finding an answer to his chest pain with another specialist, was very low. It was time to make my best guess.

I explained my theory to Mr. Thomas and suggested we try some myofascial bodywork. In the best case, he would feel a difference; and in the worst case, he would feel a little sore and looser in his body, but without pain relief. Mr. Thomas was definitely interested.

With hope and caution, we proceeded. I started with the sides of his chest … zig … then his abdominals … zag … then low back … zig … I checked with him frequently as he groaned with each maneuver, but he always nodded to continue. When the trial was over, I helped him sit up on the exam table."

Cathy Kim is a family physician and can be reached at Dr. Cathy.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Fascia in primary care: When chest pain is not in your chest." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/08/fascia-in-primary-care-when-chest-pain-is-not-in-your-chest.html)