New diagnostic and therapeutic approach to thyroid-associated orbitopathy based on applied kinesiology and homeopathic therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate pathogenetic mechanisms related to the lacrimal and lymphatic glands in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO), and the potential of applied kinesiology diagnosis and homeopathic therapeutic measures.


METHODS
Prospective.


METHODS
Thyroid outpatient unit and a specialized center for complementary medicine (WOMED, Innsbruck; R.M. and H.M.).


METHODS
Thirty-two (32) patients with TAO, 23 with a long-standing disease, and 9 showing discrete initial changes. All patients were euthyroid at the time of the investigation.


METHODS
Clinical investigation was done, using applied kinesiology methods. Departing from normal reacting muscles, both target organs as well as therapeutic measures were tested. Affected organs will produce a therapy localization (TL) that turns a normal muscle tone weak. Using the same approach, specific counteracting therapies (i.e., tonsillitis nosode and lymph mobilizing agents) were tested.


METHODS
Change of lid swelling, of ocular movement discomfort, ocular lock, tonsil reactivity and Traditional Chinese Medicine criteria including tenderness of San Yin Jiao (SP6) and tongue diagnosis were recorded in a graded fashion.


RESULTS
Positive TL reactions were found in the submandibular tonsillar structures, the pharyngeal tonsils, the San Yin Jiao point, the lacrimal gland, and with the functional ocular lock test. Both Lymphdiaral (Pascoe, Giessen, Germany) and the homeopathic preparation chronic tonsillitis nosode at a C3 potency (Spagyra, Grödig, Austria) counteracted these changes. Both agents were used therapeutically over 3-6 months, after which all relevant parameters showed improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates the involvement of lymphatic structures and flow in the pathogenesis of TAO. The tenderness of the San Yin Jiao point correlates to the above mentioned changes and should be included in the clinical evaluation of these patients.
Moncayo
Roy
R
Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. anmeldung@womed.at
Moncayo
Helga
H
Ulmer
Hanno
H
Kainz
Hartmann
H
D001317:Austria; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D018953:Kinesiology, Applied / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
D013004:Somatostatin