The Epiphora Method was developed from 2010 in the experimental practice Personaltuning of physio/hapto/breath therapist Hans Timmerman. The Epiphora Method is a new, strong answer to many forms of complex syndromes with the commonality of a relentless Sympathetic Dominance. Especially with the diagnoses of Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Post Commotional Syndrome, Aura-Migraine, ME/CFS, Whiplash Syndrome and many forms of SOLK, the Epiphora Method can be the redeeming answer.

In collaboration with rheumatologists E.N Griep and H. Griep-Wentink in Sneek, among others, an insight and treatment method has emerged that proves to be an effective answer to many forms of symptoms/disorders strongly related to Sympatico Dominance. In this method we make the transition from symptom-thinking to system-thinking.

The Sympatico Dominance can be in such an end state that a relaxation technique and good effort is no longer sufficient to regain balance. If in such a case we limit ourselves (helplessly) to symptom approach, there is usually no treatment result to our satisfaction. We will have to do something else.

In Personal Tuning/Epiphora it has been discovered that there are many factors that trigger and strongly maintain Sympatico-Dominance, such as nutrition, alcohol consumption, stress, improper exercise. It has also been discovered that a reduced quality of blood flow in the neck-neck region to and from the head can cause a poor quality of blood flow in the brain. This can be a decisive factor in the development of Sympathetic Dominant Syndromes such as FMS, ME/CFS, PCS, Whiplash Syndrome, Aura-Migraine, lung covid and many forms of SOLK.

Our hypothesis is this: all processes in our body are strongly influenced by the blood flow quality ín our brain. When the blood flow quality in our brain goes down, the body will always react with a strong Sympathetic action to cope with an imminent loss of function (collapse threat). Immediate vasoconstriction in all arteries comes to the fore. When this occurs over a long period of time, the Fibromyalgia Syndrome in particular arises in this way. In general, this can be the root cause of unexplained failure to recover in many forms.

In our view, when there is an obstruction in the vertebro-basilar system, there is a high probability of reduced arterial supply to the hindbrain.

The following logic is very important here:
When the 'Willis Circle' is moderately to poorly constructed (the Willis Circle is the arterial connection in the brain between the carotid system and the vertebral system, which in 65% of all people shows an anatomical variation), parts of the hindbrain and midbrain are extremely dependent on the supply from the vertebro-basilar system. When then, for example after Whiplash, or postural weakness in Hypermobility, there is an arterial flow decrease in this vertebro-basilar system, there is an acute blood supply shortage in the hindbrain and midbrain. This always and immediately leads to a strong Sympathetic activity.

When the cervical arterial constriction persists for a longer period of time, we see a Sympathetic Dominance develop, accompanied in this case by the specific symptoms: cranial pressure sensation, painful scalp/hair roots and blurred vision, acidification in the muscles, sensitisations and coldness in the body. If this situation lasts longer, neuro-vegetative dysregulation occurs, the end result being, for example, Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

The treatment plan is also based on this hypothesis: We do not treat the symptoms, but resolve the causes of Sympathetic Dominance. By means of 4 short (within 2 minutes) mobilizations every morning, and postural principles throughout the day, the sacro-iliac joints, spine and head posture are placed in the correct functional position. This, among other things, resolves arterial blockages in the cervical spine and also restores proper venous blood and lymph drainage. This apparently relieves a large part of the circulatory problems in the head, since we then often already observe a hefty vasodilation experience in the form of tingling and currents in the periphery.

In the practice we apply the latest respiratory physiology insights of respiratory physiologist Steven Zwerink(www.ademwinst.nl), among others. Through proper breathing we see the last symptoms of Sympathetic Dominance diminish and disappear.

In the method we call this: 'the Vegetative Game': we gratefully make use of the insights how the vegetative system reacts to relative circulatory disturbances in parts of the brain, as well as how the vegetative system reacts to a relative CO2 decrease that occurs in any form of Stress Response breathing. We even use Stress Response breathing in reverse in the practice: low CO2 in the blood produces reflective vasodilation in the posterior system. With this, the brain organs that initially lacked a blood supply (with decreased arterial flow in the nasal arteries) now receive an additional circulatory boost, further reducing the reason for Stress Response.

The exercises are usually fairly easy to learn by the practitioner, but the proper start and guidance in the sessions and workshops should always be Taylor Made instruction. Because each practitioner wants to start applying the Epiphora Method from a different request for help and care, care is required. Intake, research, proper explanation, proper expectation management, and proper intensity of application and process guidance is something you learn during the training in the Epiphora Method Academy. The general restorative power of the method is addressed, as well as the specific application per diagnosis. Here the training, but also the load capacity and resilience of the vegetative system is the important factor that determines the intensity of construction. Much attention is also paid to the personal experience of the practitioner who, through this practice, enters into a process of change.

With this the method opens a new field in the (para)medical world, where worldwide millions of people are waiting, who are still stagnating in unexplained failure to recover. And that while they show exactly the unique set of symptoms that are excellently treatable with the insights and practice of the Epiphora Method.

It is now up to healthcare professionals to study and embrace this phenomenon, thereby helping these people free themselves from the Sympathetic Dominant clamp they very often cannot get out of without this application.

The Epiphora Method: In 15 minutes time in the morning when getting up and in the evening with 10 minutes of practice, combined with proper attention to the correct movement posture, we release the Sympathetic Dominance. Then the person can begin the recovery process.