"Connective Tissue-Like" Liver Zones in Women Receiving Contraceptives

Author(s): Hauger-Schmitt, V., Göttl, K., Kühn, G.

Abstract: Introduction and Objective.- Disturbances of the function or structure of inner organs are reported to be influenced by physical therapies. The basis of this hypothesis is the anatomical and physiological association of skin areas to spinal nerve segments, which supply the autonomic regulation of those organs as well as the sensitivity of the body surface (Head, Mackenzie). Inspired by our clinical observations we became interested to find out whether minimal hepatic affections, not being reflected in the usual chemical tests, were detectable by the examination of the related connective tissue located in the back of the thorax.Methods: Among the known factors of a liver-strain we selected alcohol and drug consumption and especially the use of ovulation inhibitors, as independent variables. Without knowing the medical history or diagnosis in the beginning, we examined prospectively 100 healthy young women by scrutinizing the condition of the tissue of special regions known from the literature: the border of the thorax on a level with vertebra (Th 9), the inferior corner of the shoulder-blade level (M 6) as well as between the spine C4/Th 2 and the inner corner of the scapula. We distinguished the three qualities stickiness, induration and painfulness graduated from 0 to 6, comparing intrapersonally the left side with the right side, the latter being supposed to be changed by liver affections. The female students of the school of physiotherapy in two different German towns were asked to be examined. Excluded were those with obvious deformity of the spine, acute diseases or, within the last 6 weeks, any medication that could affect the liver.Results: Our study showed for ovulation inhibitor intake alone a significant (p > 0.01) difference in the findings, above all concerning the painfulness. The time of ovulation inhibition was at least for 1 month (median = 21 months) until the examination date. The effect of the anti-baby pill in former times (at least 3 months before) showed also a reproducible but less significant result. We were able to find a dose-effect correlation in the total, not in the single dose.Conclusions: Minimal changes in the liver integrity such as the effect of hormonal over-substitution for ovulation inhibition could be pictured by the condition of the connective tissue in those areas that are called liver zones in the empirically based literature. We explain these findings by a pathophysiologic model of the so-called reflective sympathetic dystrophy.

Keyword(s): Bindegewebige Zone

Zurück | Weiter