The immediate effect of osteopathic cervical spine mobilization on median nerve mechanosensitivity: A triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Neurodynamics is a clinical medium for testing the mechanical sensitivity of peripheral nerves which innervate the tissues of both the upper and lower limb. Currently, there is paucity in the literature of neurodynamic testing in osteopathic research, and where there is research, these are often methodologically flawed, without the appropriate comparators, blinding and reliability testing. This study aimed to assess the physiological effects (measured through Range of Motion; ROM), of a commonly utilized cervical mobilization treatment during a neurodynamic test, with the appropriate methodology, i.e., compared against a control and sham. Specifically, this was to test whether cervical mobilization could reduce upper limb neural mechanical sensitivity … ABSTRACT

Interexaminer reliability study of a standardized myofascial diagnostic technique of the superior thoracic inlet

Regional fascial motion palpation is often incorporated by osteopathic practitioners to enable them to identify superior thoracic inlet (STI) myofascial somatic dysfunction motion patterns; however without standardized instruction, diagnostic outcomes may vary between examiners. This study proposes a protocol for diagnosing the STI motion pattern that standardizes examiner hand placement, palpatory discrimination, posture, and relative body positioning … ABSTRACT

The effect of visceral osteopathic manual therapy applications on pain, quality of life and function in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain

The efficacy of osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) applications on chronic nonspecific low back pain (LBP) has been demonstrated. However, visceral applications, which are an important part of OMT techniques, have not been included in those studies. The study’s objective was to determine the effect of OMT including visceral applications on the function and quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic nonspecific LBP … ABSTRACT

An Osteopathic Approach to Chronic Pain Management

Chronic pain reduces quality of life and productivity, costing billions in health care dollars and lost revenue. Physicians routinely prescribe opioids, which has led to opioid addiction and overdose. The US surgeon general recommends nonpharmacologic treatment for patients with chronic pain. A paradigm shift is necessary for patients to partner with physicians to take control of their own health. This article outlines the cognitive behavioral approaches, nonopioid therapies, and nonpharmacologic therapies that osteopathic physicians can integrate in their treatment of patients with chronic pain … ABSTRACT

‘Talking a different language’: a qualitative study of chronic low back pain patients’ interpretation of the language used by student osteopaths

Changes in biochemical markers following spinal manipulation-a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of spinal manipulation in influencing various biochemical markers in healthy and or symptomatic population … ABSTRACT

Joint Manipulation: Toward a General Theory of High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude Thrust Techniques

The objective of this study was to describe the initial stage of a generalized theory of high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust (HVLAT) techniques for joint manipulation … ABSTRACT

The risk associated with spinal manipulation: an overview of reviews

Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is a widely used manual treatment, but many reviews exist with conflicting conclusions about the safety of SMT. We performed an overview of reviews to elucidate and quantify the risk of serious adverse events (SAEs) associated with SMT … MORE

A mixed methods evaluation of a third wave cognitive behavioural therapy and osteopathic treatment programme for chronic pain in primary care (OsteoMAP)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a ‘third wave’ cognitive behavioural therapy and osteopathic treatment programme (OsteoMAP) and explore its effect on patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain … ABSTRACT

Diagnostic reliability of osteopathic tests: A systematic review

The objective of this systematic review is to identify, evaluate, and synthesize the available evidence concerning studies on diagnostic reliability of osteopathic tests … ABSTRACT