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.

Manual Therapy as an Adjunct to Electrotherapy

Note: The Following section is excerpted from Principles & Techniques of Nerve Regeneration by David McMillian

Cayce often recommended various forms of manual therapy [osteopathy, massage, neuropathy, etc.] to compliment the use of electrotherapy. The two most common recommendations were for massage immediately following an electrotherapy session and for a general coordinating treatment [usually osteopathic] once or twice a week. The rationale for using manual therapy was to help the body assimilate and distribute the vibratory energies provided by the electrical treatments. Here is an example of the use of manual therapy treatments to help distribute vibrational energies from the Wet Cell Battery:

Periodically, once a week, we would have the distributing of these energies [Wet Cell Battery] through the body by mechanical means, – that is, the osteopathic or Mechanical – Therapy treatments; not chiropractic methods here, but those that carry over between the neuropath and the osteopathy – stimulating glandular centers; that is, where the lack of coordination has existed in the larger patches – between the sympathetic and the cerebrospinal system. These should be stimulated to activity – the coccyx, the 4th lumbar, 9th dorsal, 3rd and 4th and 2nd dorsal, 3rd cervical, 1st and 2nd cervical – along the spine. Also there should be the stimulation on the frontal portion of the body at the base of the thorax, just at the pit of the stomach, and at the pubic centers. Stimulate all of these areas once each week, and we will gradually find the body gaining strength. (3324-1)

Note the references to coordination, nerve centers, and stimulation as have been discussed in earlier sections. Also note the preference for osteopathic or neuropathic treatment over chiropractic. This preference relates to the distinction between specific corrections and treatments which focus on regulation and coordination. The manipulations described in the above quote are definitely of a regulatory nature. They are not intended to correct any specific structural abnormality. They are the type of manipulations included above in the general osteopathic treatment.

Cayce also recommended massage as a form of manual therapy to distribute vibrational energies after use of the electrical appliances. Cayce described the rational for massage after using the Wet Cell Battery in the following excerpt:

(Q) What will this Vibratory Gold Solution and massage treatment accomplish?
(A) It SHOULD accomplish that as we have indicated. As to what, it will depend upon the purpose and manner with which the treatments are administered. The massage only assists the impulse for activity from the nerve centers and ganglia to be directed in the activities of the functioning portions of the system that are controlled by certain reflexes or certain impulses created in same.

Just as in that where there may be a clogged line or a dammed stream. If there are particles removed, it allows the greater flow of activity. And these impulses for mental and physical reaction are necessary for the body to coordinate properly. Hence the massage should assist in the impulses being carried from assimilated forces to the activities of the mental, the physical and the spiritual self. (1553-5)

Thus, coordination was increased by “unclogging” the nerve plexus and ganglia thereby allowing the impulses to pass freely to the organs of the system. The pattern of spinal massage and manipulation was often specified in the readings along with a mixture of oils to be rubbed into the body to nourish and stimulate the nerve centers and lymph and emunctory patches which coordinate the cerebrospinal and sympathetic nerve systems. For an excellent description of the use of massage and oils, see Edgar Cayce’s Massage, Hydrotherapy & Healing Oils: Health Through Coordination & Purification of Key Body Systems (Duggan & Duggan, 1989). This book is a valuable resource on the use of massage, hydrotherapy and healing oils in assisting with coordination, eliminations and the distribution of body energies.

Note: As this information is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, your use of this database of information indicates that you are aware of our recommendation that you consult with a professional healthcare provider before taking any action.