hi anna,

from your post I understand that you are quite anxious, hence I am sure you must have read quite a lot on Tarlov cysts.

well, as far as physiotherapy is concerned electrotherapy for pain relief is an accepted treatment option, though in my experience i have had mixed results.

generally Tarlov cysts require no treatment. they are most often an incidental finding on MRI done for other reasons.

but if they tend to expand compressing or distending the affected nerve root they need to be treated. treatment options include - corticosteroid injections or other medications to relieve pain, innovative surgical methods such as draining the cysts, ligating (gluing) or resecting the affected nerve root.

regarding the option of massage/manipulation by an osteopath or trained physiotherapist, I have no comments as I have no documented evidence.

my advice to you would be to have symptomatic treatment and regular followups to rule out signs and symptoms of expanding/enlarging cysts in future.

all the best.

cheers,

thomas