Case Study #5 Panic Disrder

Results of the research for the poster on the 8th RIEN Conference

Therapist: Paula Mão Cheia

Patient: female, 37 years old

Pathology: Panic Disorder

Diagnosis: 2009

Panic Disorder: anxiety disorder characterized by the repeated occurence of panic attacks. These can be defined as acute episodes, self-limiting, extreme apprehension or fear, and sense of imminent danger to the physical or mental integrity, accompanied by vegetative symptoms are as preparing the body for a real threat (sympathetic system) trail. Adrenaline causes physiological changes that prepare the individual to deal with this danger. 

Symptoms: the symptoms reported by the patient during episodes of panic are: dizziness, increased heart rate, feeling of slight shortness of breath, tingling sensation and decreased muscle strenght in the upper and lower limbs ( predominantly on the left side of the body).

Medication: Escitalopram ( anti-depressant used to treat anxiety disturbances) 3mg 4 times a week; Bromazepam (anxiolytic) 10mg in SOS.

Start of sessions: 08/12/2013

Treatment: 15 reflexology sessions were conducted with one-hour duration and frequency of twice a week. Techniques applied: Relaxation techniques, Eunice Ingham method, Advanced techniques, Aromatherapy (essential oil of chamomile), Acupressure, Foot taco (Thay reflexology), Su-jok (use of the ring), VRT (slide and rocking, pituitary pinching), and notions of new medicine.

In all sessions were worked with different techniques reflections of the central and peripheral nervous system, endocrine system (pituitary and adrenal), solar plexus, skeletal and muscular system (cervical spine and shoulders, diaphragm), lungs, digestive system ( liver, gall bladder, stomach, intestine) and urinary system. Acupressure points L3 and K1.

Analysis of Results: The relevant changes face to the patients condition were the feeling of lightness and weel-being after the 1st session and subsequently decrease panic attacks without resorting to SOS medication. In November 2013, before the reflexology treatments, the patient took the SOS medication 5 times. In December 2013, after the beggining of the reflexology treatments, the patient took the SOS medication 5 times. In January 2014, the frequency decreased for one time in the whole month. In the month of February b2014, the patient maintained the frequency an took the SOS medication one time. After the use of Advanced Techniques (3rd session), foot taco and acupressure in L3 and K1 (5th session) points more intensively, the patient reported a great relaxation and lightness at the end of the treatments. Reported greater well-being in the days following the treatments. 

Conclusion: it was concluded that reflexology treatments helped the patient to increase well-being and relaxation, the ability of self-control at the onset of a panic attack, overcoming them without the need for rescue medication and contributed to the effective reduction of the frequency of occurence of panic attacks.

feet at session #1

feet at session #15