Evidence, theory and variability in osteopathic practice

In the broadest sense of evidence, there are many types that inform the rich variety of osteopathic practice across the world. Clinical research evidence focussing on the effectiveness of interventions may be categorised as falling within a hierarchy. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews at the top of the hierarchy above individual randomised controlled trials, followed by different types of observational studies and finally opinion and expertise at the bottom. Hierarchies like this rank research designs and methods and depend on the research question at hand … ABSTRACT

Osteopathic manipulative treatment use in the emergency department: A retrospective medical record review

Effectiviness of osteopathic manipulative treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome: A pilot project

The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
For this single-blinded quasi-controlled trial, nine participants with carpal tunnel syndrome received osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for six consecutive weeks. The main outcome measures were the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ), a sensory symptom diagram (SSD), patients’ estimate of overall change, electrophysiologic testing of the median nerve (trans-carpal-tunnel motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity and amplitude ratio) and carpal tunnel ultrasound imaging of the cross-sectional area of the median nerve and transverse carpal ligament length and bowing. All outcome measures were administered before the first OMT session and after six weeks … MORE

The location of the inferior angle of the scapula in relation to the spine in upright position: A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis

Chiropractic & Manual Therapies
Practitioners in several of the health care professions use anatomical landmarks to identify spinal levels, both in order to enhance diagnostic accuracy and to specifically target the site of intervention. Authoritative sources usually state the upright inferior scapular angle (IAS) aligns with the spinous process (SP) of T7, but some specify the T7-8 interspace or the T8 SP. The primary goals of this study were to systematically review the relevant literature; and conduct a meta-analysis of the pooled data from retrieved studies to increase their statistical power … MORE

Physical activity, fear avoidance, and chronic non-specific pain: A narrative review

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Chronic non-specific pain (CNSP) and physical inactivity have become increasingly prevalent in the United States; however, the associations between the two remain unclear. The lack of clarity may be due to the presence of a third variable, the individual’s pain coping strategy … ABSTRACT

Scimitar syndrome: A rare explanation for a common symptom with an osteopathic approach

International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine
The patient in this case was a 68-year-old woman who had dyspnea for five months. Examination disclosed decreased right-sided breath sounds and the presence of right-sided heart sounds. An osteopathic evaluation revealed acute and chronic somatic dysfunction and viscerosomatic changes … ABSTRACT

Postural correction reduces hip pain in adult with acetabular dysplasia

Manual Therapy
Developmental dysplasia of the hip is often diagnosed in infancy, but less severe cases of acetabular dysplasia are being detected in young active adults. The purpose of this case report is to present a non-surgical intervention for a 31-year-old female with mild acetabular dysplasia and an anterior acetabular labral tear … ABSTRACT