Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also referred to as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), is a complex condition characterised by profound fatigue, cognitive impairment (“brain fog”), sensory overwhelm, and reduced capacity for sustained activity. Although the precise cause remains uncertain, many researchers recognise involvement of autonomic nervous system dysregulation, particularly a persistent state of sympathetic dominance.
Many individuals with ME/CFS also report joint hypermobility, previous trauma, prolonged psychological or physical stress, or a period of significant workload followed by illness, suggesting that the condition may arise when the regulatory capacity of the autonomic nervous system becomes overwhelmed.
From a clinical perspective, if manual therapy is helpful, the effect is often noticeable during the first visit, not as a cure but as a shift in autonomic balance. The aim is to reduce excessive sympathetic tension and encourage parasympathetic recovery, allowing the system to settle into a less overwhelmed state.
Practically, this often corresponds with a reduction in cranial tension, particularly around the base of the skull, where autonomic regulatory structures are influenced.
Many people with ME/CFS notice that they feel temporarily better in water. One explanation may be that immersion in water stimulates the mammalian dive reflex, a primitive physiological response that enhances parasympathetic activity and promotes systemic relaxation.
EXPECT EXPERIENCE A SHIFT IN THE FRST SESSION!
At the 54 Clinic this observation is used therapeutically. The approach works with the relaxation associated with the dive reflex, a reflex present in all humans, to help reduce autonomic tension. While this is not presented as a cure for ME/CFS, encouraging this reflexive relaxation may help some individuals experience improvement in calmness, clarity, and restorative rest.
