Oral Systemic Balance is a therapy that has provided an important part of my recovery from years of chronic illness. Developed by a TMJ dentist named Farrand Robson, the therapy employs oral appliances to help patients breathe better and restore balance to the autonomic nervous system. I was a patient of Dr. Robson's for two years beginning in 2007 and as a result pulled out of the downward trajectory that my health had been on for over 20 years. One of the reasons I started my blog was to share information about this therapy with others. I estimate that I got initially 30% better with this therapy and since wearing my appliances I have suffered no relapses. I wrote about OSB and my treatments in the post "Oral Systemic Balance" http://fibrofriends.typepad.com/fibro_friends/2010/02/oral-systemic-b.html I spent the following years pursuing a variety of other therapies with some moderate benefits which I documented in subsequent posts.
In the spring of 2013 I learned that Dr. Robson had made significant advancements in the "science" of Oral Systemic Balance since I was in treatment. This was due largely to the addition of a heart ultrasound machine to his diagnostic tools. Along with technology that measures heart rate variability and an electrocardiogram (EKG) Robson ascertained that the heart compensates for restrictions in the air passage or throat that can improve by wearing oral appliances. Robson discovered new adjustments to the contours and position of his appliances that produce positive changes in the heart as observed on the ultra sound and EKG. As a result of this he is now able to achieve even greater results with his patients especially the more difficult cases like mine.
In the spring of 2013 I went to Dr. Robson's office for an evaluation of my heart function with an EKG. This was not the typical examine done by a cardiologist. The test took about fifteen minutes. My heart was observed in various positions while wearing my balance appliance: sitting, lying and standing, and while breathing deeply, speaking and swallowing. Dr. Robson's assistant, a nurse who formerly worked for a cardiologist explained that the test showed considerable cardiac stress manifesting as flattened T waves, a very slow pulse (48 beats per minute) and low blood pressure (80/40). My oral appliances were then completely redesigned and I embarked on a whole new series of Oral Systemic Balance adjustments. Over the course of the next six months I had three long (4 hours) appointments with Dr. Robson, his nurse and an ultra sound technician while being monitored by a roomful of equipment including heart ultra sound, EKG, heart variability, oxygen and carbon dioxide saturation, pulse, etc. Dr. Robson observed imbalances between the sides of my heart and the size and position of the atrium and ventricle. The right side of my heart was very compromised. He also observed a back flow of blood in the jugular vein, something that is common in people with multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome. He made changes in the contours of my appliance especially ones to the the upper palate, which he associates with CFS that improved my heart function. My treatment also included a dozen follow up appointments of adjustments with Dr. Robson's assistant.
Oral Systemic Balance is not a quick fix. It is a process that takes many appointments and adjustments as the body adapts and changes. At the beginning I experienced what felt like set backs and a return of symptoms but these diminished over time. My cardiovascular function as measured by blood pressure and pulse, EKG and ultra sound made slight improvements which I witnessed first hand in the diagnostic equipment. My resting blood pressure lying down is now 90/50 and my pulse is in the upper 50's. I no longer get a heavy, light headed feeling when I walk up stairs or a hill. As a result of this second round of Oral Systemic Balance I estimate my health has improved another 10%. Meanwhile I continue to pursue other avenues to complement my recovery. I believe that CFS is a multifaceted condition that demands a variety of treatments for full recovery. That being said I cannot imagine truly healing without this key therapy.
I believe that the cardiovascular abnormalities associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and many other chronic conditions are actually coming from a compromised air passage. Dr. Paul Cheney now diagnoses his CFS patient with heart ultra sound equipment and no doubt sees the same features as Robson, he just doesn't know what causes them. This may be a difficult thing for many people to get their heads around and it is definitely not what's taught in medical school but innovation sometimes come from unexpected places. The development of the "science" of Oral Systemic Balance just may be the key to health for those of us with chronic health conditions like CFS and FMS.
Unfortunately OSB treatment is very expensive and time consuming costing thousands of dollars and multiple appointments. Patients travel from other parts of the country and the world to be treated by Dr. Robson. Many get good results while others do not improve or only improve a small amount. In my opinion OSB is in its infancy as a medical science and patients are paying a premium for a therapy that is not efficient or accurate. Those that are desperately ill will hang in there and get benefits while many others will discontinue treatment due to the cost. Dr. Robson has made some significant discoveries but he practices essentially in a very small circle. In my opinion it is time for Oral Systemic Balance to be turned over to a larger research institute that has the resources to refine this therapy and make it less expensive and easier to replicate.
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