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

The role of osteopathy in clinical care: Broadening the evidence-base

Osteopathy is a system of health care practiced in various countries throughout the world that focuses on osteopathic manual techniques as a cornerstone of patient care. However, we still know little about the practice, role and use of osteopathy within the broader health system in most countries. With this in mind, this paper proposes a possible framework for advancing further research on this topic … ABSTRACT

A process approach in osteopathy: beyond the structural model

The innate capacity of the body/person for self-recovery and healing is a key concept in osteopathy and the basis of clinical management for a broad range of conditions. It is believed that health and functionality can be improved by supporting the person’s self-recovery processes; in particular, by removing structural and biomechanical obstacles that may impede the body’s capacity to engage effectively in recovery. This clinical approach and its supporting conceptual framework are often referred to as the Structural Model. However, research findings in the last three decades have challenged the plausibility of the Structural Model and imply that the role of osteopathy in supporting health and recovery needs to be reconsidered. In response to these findings an alternative management called a Process Approach is proposed. This approach aims to directly support the processes associated with recovery; namely, repair, adaptation and alleviation of symptoms. This Masterclass article will discuss the current scientific challenges to the Structural Model in Osteopathy, the physiological, practical and therapeutic limitations of this model in supporting recovery processes and present the reasoning and principles of the Process Approach in osteopathic care … MORE

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Limits Chronic Constipation in a Child with Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome

Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome (PTHS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by insufficient expression of the TCF4 gene. Children with PTHS typically present with gastrointestinal disorders and early severe chronic constipation is frequently found (75%). Here the authors describe the case of a PTHS male 10-year-old patient with chronic constipation in whom Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) resulted in improved bowel functions, as assessed by the diary, the QPGS-Form A Section C questionnaire, and the Paediatric Bristol Stool Form Scale. The authors suggested that OMT may be a valid tool to improve the defecation frequency and reduce enema administration in PTHS patients … MORE

Somatic Dysfunction in the Diagnosis of Uncommon Ectopic Pregnancies: Surgical Correlation and Comparison With Related Pathologic Findings

Ectopic pregnancies occur when the implantation of a fertilized ovum occurs outside the endometrial cavity. Such pregnancies occur in approximately 1.5% to 2.0% of all pregnancies and cause 6% of maternal deaths. The objectives of this study were to evaluate osteopathic structural examination (OSE) findings in patients with ectopic pregnancies of uncommon locations and to establish the utility of these findings in the diagnosis of these ectopic pregnancies … MORE

Analysis of the upper cervical spine stiffness during axial rotation: A comparative study among patients with tension-type headache or migraine and asymptomatic subjects

Many studies reported the implication of the cervical musculoskeletal system in patients with tension type headache and migraine. The objective of this study is to investigate the upper cervical spine stiffness features in axial rotation among headache patients in comparison with a healthy population … ABSTRACT

An introduction to the use of outcomes questionnaires in osteopathic practice