Osteopathic Family Physician

Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders encountered by family physicians, often as a direct result of significant stressors. IBS is a disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating and severe bowel irregularity and is commonly encountered by family physicians treating patients on a daily basis. It is a relatively benign functional bowel disorder, but is often severely debilitating. The pathophysiology of IBS is poorly understood, in part because of a lack of anatomic signs specific to IBS. This review article presents current therapies targeting the predominant symptoms of diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, or any combination of these in the presenting patient. Overall, providing effective treatment and reassurance is paramount to the psychosocial well-being of the patient.

Abstract avaible here.

The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association

Colleges of osteopathic medicine have made several advances in research. However, COMs obtain less funding than their allopathic counterparts. Therefore, understanding the factors influencing the attainment of extramural funds at COMs is highly warranted. The authors considered select bibliometric measures at COMs from 2006 through 2010 to determine whether associations existed between these measures and the amount of National Institutes of Health research funds awarded to COMs in 2006 and 2010.

Abstract avaible here.

The International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathy began life as a medical heresy. In the USA, osteopathy embraced medicine and surgery, with an inevitable diminution of distinctiveness. Osteopaths elsewhere practice in much the same way as a century ago. Limited to manual intervention, categorised as ‘allied’, ‘complementary’ or ‘alternative’, distinctiveness is now diminished by similarity with other professional groups .. To manifest both distinctiveness and professional visibility, determined engagement with science (the evidence), and with other communities whether in clinical practice or in the basic sciences is now imperative. Marginalisation through progressive irrelevance is a poor alternative.

Abstract avaible here.

Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology

It is reasonable to think that patients responding to spinal manipulation (SM), a mechanically based therapy, would have mechanical derangement of the spine as a critical causal component in the mechanism of their condition. Consequently, SM practitioners routinely assess intervertebral motion, and treat patients on the basis of those assessments. In chiropractic practice, the vertebral subluxation has been the historical raison d'etre for SM. Vertebral subluxation is a biomechanical spine derangement thought to produce clinically significant effects by disturbing neurological function. This paper reviews the putative mechanical features of the subluxation and three theories that form the foundation for much of chiropractic practice.

Abstract avaible here.