The Effect of Connective Tissue Manipulation on General Health and Emotional Status in Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea

The position of the patients during treatment sessions was sitting with the hips and knees at 90° flexion and feet supported, arms relaxed on the thighs, back naked and straight, allowing optimal tension of the connective tissue. The CTM procedure consisted of treating 3 sections in the back. These sections were basic (sacral and lumbar regions), lower thoracic (L1 through T7) and anterior pelvic. All sessions were ended with bilateral long strokes to the iliac crest and subcostal regions. The physiotherapist applied strokes bilaterally by her middle finger of the right or left hand to the defined zones of the mentioned sections in the back. The treatment started from the basic section, and progress to other regions was decided according to the vascular reaction of the connective tissue. Each session lasted for 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the extent of the treated area.