Neural Reset Therapy - NRT
Neural Re-Set Therapy is an amazing, gentle, non-invasive technique offering
the possibility of quick stable results. Whether to improve function, decrease
pain or attain a more energized youthful posture, NRT sessions are generally
an exciting and rewarding experience.
Dr Paula Fainstat specializes in this unique myo-fascial technique. Please
contact us for more information.
HANS Article - Ready, Re-Set, Go!
NRT: A Special Way To Heal
How Does NRT Work?
What Happens With NRT?
HANS Article - Ready, Re-Set, Go!
by Sondi Bruner
As an elite cyclist and coach, Larry Zimich has been approached countless times over the last 25 years by companies and individuals who want him to try their products. He walks a fine line between skepticism and openness, so when a client suggested he go for a session of neural reset therapy with naturopath Dr. Paula Fainstat, he wasn't sure what to expect.
But after the first session, he noticed an immediate difference that compelled him to return for another treatment.
"I stood up and everything felt different," he says. "I don't really know how to explain how different it felt―I felt balanced over my feet, and my body felt really calm and really relaxed. So I thought, wow, maybe there is something to what's happening."
It wasn't enough for Zimich to simply feel good―he wanted to measure whether the therapy was creating a concrete difference in his athletic performance. He began to measure and record data, and five weeks later, he was impressed to see that his speed had improved by almost 10 percent, he was feeling better than he had in years and he was able to recover quicker from challenging workouts.
"People were actually asking me, 'What's up?'," he says. "They noticed that much of a difference. With elite athletes, we're trying to make differences at that top end and that's usually the difference between winning and losing. So if someone can make a difference like that, it's pretty big."
Convinced by his own success, Zimich decided to team up with Dr. Fainstat to develop a small pilot study to measure and track the effects of neural reset therapy (NRT) on athletic performance.
Regressing back to your childhood, but in a good way
Dr. Paula Fainstat (www.drpaulafainstat.com (604) 222-2433) is a Vancouver-based naturopath with a chiropractic background who has spent almost 20 years perfecting the NRT technique. She refers to NRT as "anti-aging for the joints and alignment," and says it brings the body toward the original, natural state we were born with.
"When you look at young children, you can see how well set they are, how naturally upright they are, how grounded they are in their feet," she points out. "People have lost a sense of what it's like. They don't say, 'I'm out of alignment, I want better posture, my balance isn't what it used to be,' because all of these symptoms creep up so gradually over a lifetime that people have forgotten what it's like to feel normal."
NRT can improve pain, tension, posture, breathing, flexibility, headaches, joint function, balance, neurological conditions and, like Zimich discovered, athletic performance. Patients report feeling calmer, lighter and taller, along with experiencing an improved range of motion and reduced pain, usually starting with the first session.
How neural reset therapy works
NRT isn't merely about fixing alignments at the local level―Dr. Fainstat moves deeper to balance the body neurologically as well as structurally. She views the brain as a biological computer that needs to be reset, or rebooted, and uses NRT to affect the nervous system in order to change alignment, posture, and muscle-firing patterns.
During a treatment, Dr. Fainstat evaluates a patient's posture and muscles to determine where the distorted alignments are located. Then, she taps the reflexes related to these imbalances, which activates the central nervous system and prepares it to be reset. Finally, she uses a series of dextrose injections along the spine or in the head to block pain fibres, restore local nerves and promote deeper healing.
"We're having an immediate neurological effect, while we're also changing the firing patterns of the muscles and the holding patterns of the connective tissues," Dr. Fainstat says.
Patients like Zimich appreciate the holistic approach of the treatment.
"The body is whole, so you can't just have one area that works and the rest doesn't work," he says. "If a certain area of my body isn't performing how I think it should be, a lot of times she doesn't even treat that particular area. She goes to somewhere totally different on the body, treats that area and the next thing I know, it worked."
He also credits NRT for helping improve his recovery after a serious cycling accident in September, where he broke 13 bones, punctured a lung and spent two days in the intensive care unit.
"Because I went into that accident feeling the best I've felt for ages, I was able to come out of it like I have. When you have an accident like that and you're not in really good shape beforehand, you're not going to come out of it like that."
Dr. Fainstat is excited to see the outcome of the study once it is completed this winter and looks forward to showing how NRT can apply to everyone.
"I look at athletes as a microcosm of the general public. Their level of exercise produces a high level of metabolic waste," she says. "When an athlete shows improved recovery and heart rate function within a short period of time with NRT, that says a huge amount about the potential health benefits for the non-athletic person."
Sondi Bruner is a Vancouver-based freelance journalist and holistic nutrition student. Find out more about her writing services at www.sondibruner.com, and explore vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free recipes on her food blog, The Copycat Cook (www.thecopycatcook.wordpress.com)
NRT: A Special Way To Heal
frequently exceed what was previously considered possible or even reasonable."
naturopathic medical training including studies in physiology, kinesiology,
physical medicine, neuroscience, orthopedics, neural therapy and prolotherapy.
In further developing Neural Re-Set Therapy, she feels she is able to now facilitate
patients frequently achieving responses beyond what her training and knowledge
could have anticipated. The patients' comments below gives an idea of the scope
and speed of clinical improvements observed frequently in NRT sessions and en-
courage a broader understanding of what symptoms represent and how the body
How Does NRT Work?
nervous system. For example a muscle may be maintained in a state of
tension like a car stuck in high gear. The important point is that the level
of assessment and diagnosis leads to the level of consideration for treat-
ment. I f a diagnosis of 'muscle spasm' is selected then treatment is likely
to be for the muscle. If the diagnosis selected is 'muscle tension reactive
to joint instability', then treatment is more likely to be for the instability
the level of the central nervous system. Tension and adaptive patterns are
identified in the muscles, ligaments, tendons and especially fascia and dura
throughout the body. The treatment for these patterns is then focused to inter-
vene at the level of programming, primarily in the nervous system to allow for
broad, rapid and cohesive change.
Standing felt effortless and light. I have since noticed that
the knee that was troubling me has improved by about 60%
after that one session. Andrea G, Nelson BC July 2009
After receiving the treatment, I immediately felt calmer. I
felt a white “cord” of light down my spine and my stomach
which had felt sore, immediately felt open and soft. Since
the treatment, I am excited to say, I have begun to feel
sensation down my arm that I haven’t felt over a year. This
is after I had been told that the nerve damage in my arm
might be permanent! This method works on a subtle level with
amazing benefits. I can’t wait for the next session.
First NRT treatment on my left swollen and bruising foot:
My foot immediately felt more structurally sound
I can't believe it! I noticed as soon as I hit the sidewalk, my
stride was much more even & rhythmic, and much more powerful!
YAH! My long stride is back!! ( ya, not one of my more lady-like
qualities...but, who cares!) I feel good; when I got in the car I
had to readjust my r/v mirror!! What up wid dat? Did I grow taller?
Today, however, the proof was in the pudding. Lots of walking
back and forth from my office to the Admin office (which is about
a block away). Good strong striding, graceful (I wore a skirt so
I would look less like a drill sergeant) and at the end of the day
my ankle was absolutely fine. No sore spots, no bruising, no
swelling ...I am totally amazed.
My biggest thanks; my ankle has been sore for many months so I
notice when it doesn't hurt. Brilliant!
What Happens With NRT?
by Dr Paula Fainstat which is helping many patients achieve quick and
lasting results. Patients experience decrease in pain from both new
and old problems plus an increase in flexibility.
Neural Re-Set Therapy is a uniquely gently and non-invasive way to
release tension and imbalances from tissues around the spinal cord,
cranium and rest of the body. Dysfunctional patterns accumulate over
a lifetime of strains, stress, injuries and illnesses. The release of
imbalances improves neurological and muscle-firing patterns, creating
to posture, alignment, muscle function, pains
and ranges of motion.
Usually within minutes significant changes are noticed in spinal align-
ment. Once this is accomplished, treatment is then directed to other
specific areas e.g. frozen shoulder, hip pain.
Neural Re-Set therapy
is also excellent for improving athletic performance, balance and
preventative care and can be easily applied to seniors.
Typically within one session patients notice significant improvement,
even if the problem has existed for many years.
What About My Back?
NRT is usually first directed to the spine and posture with patients
typically noticing their body:
● Feels lighter, taller, straighter
● Less effort to stand upright
● Shoulders fall backward, chest more open , easier to breathe
● Better balance, more connection of feet to the ground
Lessening of aches, pains and tension in the body
● Calmness in general
These shift unrelated to 'unwinding' the body and re-setting the nervous
system hold very well over time.
What About Other Areas?
NRT is then performed wherever tension patterns are assessed in
the connective tissues of the rest of the body. The treatment focuses
on areas of pains (and their related patterns) not only to help the
patient feel more comfortable but also because the painful area
a region with significant connective tissue tension.
This includes areas with trigger point/pain referral patterns.
Typical changes noticed are:
● Decrease in pain
● Increase range of motion
● Feeling more ‘open’ in the problem area
● Tingling in the area, e.g. down an extremity
Is Neural Re-Set Therapy For Me?
Over years, patterns of pulls and tension accumulate in the tissues
surrounding the spinal cord and cranium. These strains come from
falls, injuries, stress, toxins, etc and result in torque-like restrictive
The restrictive patterns in the spine and cranium can cause direct
symptoms such as low back, neck pain and headache.
The rest of the body is also affected is it adapts to the spinal and
cranial restrictions. This can cause a wide range of symptoms, such
● back pain
● shoulder problems
● leg pains
foot and ankle problems
● athletic inefficiency or susceptibility to injury
Many other symptoms are less obvious:
● uneven shoulders, hips, head tilt
effort to stand/sit in healthy posture position
● difficulty adapting to new shoes/orthotics
sleep issues, low grade tension
● decrease in co-ordination or endurance
● poor/slow response to other treatments
With Neural Re-Set Therapy, restrictive patterns are removed in a simple,
gentle and efficient manner, appropriate at any age. The treatment is
done initially on the spine and head, then on other areas as indicated.
Small acupuncture needles are placed on the head, spine or extremities
for a few seconds at a time. Treatment can be adjusted for children or
anyone uncomfortable with needles.
As the spinal, cranial and other restrictions are removed, patients typically
start to notice changes, usually very quickly.
If pain symptoms are related to a pathology (eg rheumatoid arthritis or
other inflammatory immune disorder), this would be addressed separately.
If pain symptoms are related to a hypermobile joint or overstretched
weakened ligaments, prolotherapy will be assessed. Torn muscles, scars,
dental bite faults and poor conditioning are additional factors affecting
alignment that the doctor will address separately.
Neural Re-Set Therapy is a major aid in attaining structural health and
optimal function. NRT removes distorted tension and pull on muscles,
ligaments, joint capsules and bones. NRT also re-sets neurological and
muscle-firing patterns to a more original state. This allows the whole
body to return to a more neutral and youthful condition necessary for
correct alignment and function. Effects are often immediate and usually
Research on Subcutaneous Prolotherapy [Lyftogt Technique]
neurological changes observed: this article demonstrates how changes to the environment
of the skin can effect the rest of the body . Compiled by K. Dean Reeves, M.D., AAPM&R,
Clinical Associate Professor, University of Kansas and refers to the specific injection protocol
of Subcutaneous Prolotherapy.
To the left you see a needle. (Very small in this case IE 1/2
inch 27 gauge or so). It has penetrated just under the skin in
to the subcutaneous layer which is looser, often composed of
sation to a joint also supplies sensation to the skin over that joint and the muscles
that move that joint. This l aw suggests that if a nerve is irritated that supplies skin
over a joint it may affect (cause pain and change function) in the joint or muscles
around that joint. <<
Dr. Lyftogt’s Research
Dr. Lyftogt knew of the concept that nerves under the
skin can be a source of pain. Instead o f injecting an-
which is a typical nerve block but has no long
he injected dextrose around the nerves
just under the skin. He did this because nerves are soft
tissue also and because they are composed of a lot of
that dextrose heals other
connective tissue and may help
nerves function better.
When he injected just under the skin
along the course of
the nerve in small increments he found that local swelling improved, pain reduced and
function improved. <<
connect with the subcutaneous nerves at intervals. Because they connect at inter-
vals with the nerve, they are suspected as being the primary target of subcutaneous
prolotherapy. It is known that nerves that are irritated produce substances such as
CGRP (calcitonin gene related peptide) and SP (substance P) that can create leaki-
ness of blood vessels and pain but more work needs to be done on which cells in the
nerve do so. Basic scientists (scientists that study how things work but don't directly
treat people) have know for years that nerves can misbehave chronically. The term
neurogenic inflammation has been proposed to describe this. How does subcutaneous
prolotherapy relate to regular prolotherapy? Prolotherapy is Injection to promote re-
generation or repair in connective tissue. Subcutaneous prolotherapy is injection to
promote regeneration, repair or other functional restoration in subcutaneous nerves
which are composed largely of connective tissue.
Why is subcutaneous [treatment in prolotherapy] potentially so important?
deeperstructures will take place spontaneously if the nerves above the deeper
structures a re returned to normalcy. This is suggested by 3 recent studies. (Below)
eousnear nerve injections" approximately 1 ml every 2 cm. The objective of the treatment was to
achieve acomplete local anesthetic response for all low back pain at the time of the treatment. The
solution used in the earlier part of the audit was hypertonic dextrose 20-40%, mixed with 0.1%
lignocaine and/or ropivacaine 0.1% in normal saline. Towards the end of the treatment the solution
consisted of dextrose20%, lignocaine 0.1% and cholecalciferol (Vit D) 1000 IU/ml in normal saline.
In the earlier phase of the audit period "tender points" were targeted mainly along the latissimus
dorsi tendons, the gluteus maximusorigin and the supraspinous ligament. In the latter phase the
focus became the "inflamed" superior and intermediate cluneal nerves and thoracic spinal nerves
where clinically indicated. Mean initial VAS was 7.6 (range 5-10). Mean VAS at last treatment was
1.4 (range 0-6). Mean duration of treatment was 8.3 weeks (range 1-17). The mean number of
treatments was 6.2 (range 2-16). Ninety percent of patients improvedmore than 50%, and 10%
less than 50%. Twenty-nine percent of patients reported no pain at the last consultation. Long term
followup results were not stated.
Nov 2007;12(11):107-109. Different dextrose concentrations were clinically trialed over a four-
year period with long-term follow up of 132 Achilles tendons. Results are broken down by year
and cannot be looked at in total with information given. A representative year was 2006 in which
30% glucose wasuse in 0.1% ropivacaine and 0.1% lidocoane. In that year 34 tendons in 31 sub-
jects were treated withmean age 47 (28-69) years, and mean symptom duration of 14 months
(1-60). The mean length oftreatment was 7.6 weeks (3-15 weeks) 84% were available for long term
followup at mean of 12 monthswith mean VAS change from 6.7 to 1.1 and 88% of those that were
contactable at 12 months satisfied with treatment.
pain. Australas Musculoskeletal Med 2007;12(2):110-112. In 2005, 127 painful knees (74), shoulders
(33) and lateral elbows (20) were treated with subcutaneous prolotherapy. . The treatment was well
tolerated and safe. The treatment protocol consisted of weekly treatments where possible. All active
TPs were identified by palpation and injected subcutaneously with 0.5-1 ml of a Glucose 20%/Ligno-
caine 0.1% solution. The objective at the time of each treatment was to achieve complete local anes-
thetic pain relief. Treatments were continued until VAS 0-1 and/or after consultation with the patient.
The combined outcome statistics f or the treatment of the 2005 knee, shoulder and lateral elbow pain
howed a mean length of symptoms of 23.9 months and a mean treatment length of 7 weeks. The
mean initial VAS 6.7 reduced at follow up of mean 21.4 months to VAS 0.76. The combined satis-
faction rate at follow up was 91.7%. However, the f ollow-up success was an average of about 75%
so approximately 25% were lost to long term followup.
whole nervous system adapts and changes in response
to a localized injury. NRT may be a valid tool to re-set this adaptation in nervous
By Reuters Health
re study by Ford Vox, MDm Am J Sports
ment(ACL) rupture in the knee can produce changes in the brain that cause some
patientsto do poorly, researchers say in the December issue of the American
Journal of Sports Medicine.
jointinjuries like an ACL rupture have neurophysiological dimensions , lead researcher
Now, Dr. Kapreli said, after the first functional MRI study of the brain's adaptation
to aperipheral joint injury, "we have the first strong evidence that a peripheral joint
injurycauses a disturbance in neuromuscular control, affects the central programs
andconsequently the motor response, resulting in dysfunction of the injured limb."
Dr. Kapreli, from the Technological Educational Institution of Lamia, Greece, and
her colleagues studied 17 men (average age 25.5) with MRI-confirmed complete
ACL rupture i n the right knee. The ruptures occurred more than six months before
the experiment. None of the knees had been surgically repaired.
All the injured men were having difficulties due to their ACL deficiencies, confirmed
byscores less than 60% on the global rating scale, less than 80% on the activities
of daily living scale, a timed hop test less than 80% of predicted, or episodes of
the knee giving away. These men were compared to 18 matched, healthy controls.
ACL-deficient subjects and controls were scanned supine with their legs in a custom
built cushion that limited flexion to 45 degrees. They flexed and extended the knee
on command (each unilateral movement condition lasted 25 seconds, enough to
obtain 10 complete brain images). "We chose this range of motion because in such
an open kinetic movement the ACL sustains the greatest force," Dr. Kapreli said.
Functional MRI revealed that ACL injured subjects had increased activity in the
These findings contrast to the pattern in controls, where signal was significantly
higherin the primary sensorimotor areas bilaterally, the contralateral thalamus,
posterior parietal cortex, basal ganglia-external globus pallidus, secondary somato-
sensoryarea, cingulated motor area, premotor cortex and the ipsilateral cerebellum.
Aside from poor activation of the widely distributed cortical network seen in
Located in the visual cortex, the pITG's activation suggests that the ACL patients
As for the other two regions with increased signal in ACL patients, the authors cite
movement. Similarly, the pre-SMA activation could imply that injured patients' brains
require more intensive planning before knee movement, given pre-SMA's reputed
role in planning complex movements.
Dr. Kapreli said that now she's established that ACL injury causes changes in cort-
ical organization, she'd like to see if functional MRI can help her determine how
long is too long to wait for surgical repair, and whether different rehabilitation