Research Digest

1. Practitioner characteristics of osteopaths who treat pregnant women and children: An Australasian perspective from two practice-based research networks

   Although there is evidence supporting positive outcomes for osteopathic healthcare during pregnancy and post-natal phases, there is very little that describes the practice and management characteristics of osteopaths providing this healthcare. The aim of this study is to describe the specific characteristics of Australian and New Zealand osteopaths who often treat pregnant women and children […]

2. Characteristics of the practice of New Zealand osteopaths who manage patients with chronic pain

   Chronic pain management is challenging. Those with chronic pain present to health professionals, including osteopaths. This study looked at information from a survey of osteopaths in New Zealand. We wanted to learn about the backgrounds and types of treatment given by osteopaths who often help patients with chronic pain versus those who don’t … ABSTRACT

3. Effectiveness of osteopathic craniosacral techniques: a meta-analysis

   Craniosacral osteopathic manipulative medicine—also known as craniosacral therapy (CST)—is a widely taught and used component of osteopathic medicine. This paper seeks to systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials assessing the clinical effectiveness of CST compared to standard care, sham treatment, or no treatment in adults and children … MORE

4. Investigating Fryette’s mechanics in computed tomography scans: an analysis of vertebrae spinal physiology using open-sourced datasets and three-dimensional vertebral orientation

   Fryette’s mechanics is taught as a simplistic model of coupled vertebral movement, fundamental in osteopathic practice. This study seeks to better understand the likelihood of Fryette’s model by calculating vertebral orientation in computed tomography (CT) scans. Given previous findings of low angular coupled movements during overall spinal motion, static calculations provide a unique perspective on […]

5. Cerebrospinal fluid flow extends to peripheral nerves further unifying the nervous system

   Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is responsible for maintaining brain homeostasis through nutrient delivery and waste removal for the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we demonstrate extensive CSF flow throughout the peripheral nervous system (PNS) by tracing distribution of multimodal 1.9-nanometer gold nanoparticles, roughly the size of CSF circulating proteins, infused within the lateral cerebral ventricle (a […]

6. Osteopathic Manual Treatment in Women with Endometriosis: A Scoping Review on Clinical Symptoms, Fertility and Quality of Life.

   Endometriosis presents significant treatment challenges and economic burdens, necessitating the exploration of alternative therapies such as Osteopathic Manual Treatment (OMT) to potentially improve patient outcomes. This scoping review aimed to systematically map existing research on the intervention effects of OMT’s on clinical symptoms, fertility, and quality of life in women with endometriosis, and review the […]

7. Autonomic Nervous System and Viscera-Related Responses to Manual Therapy: A Narrative Overview

   Manual therapy (MT) has long-held that it physiologically impacts autonomic nervous system ANS) and viscera-related function. This narrative review is intended to serve as a consolidated interdisciplinary resource of original studies related to physiological effects of MT as it relates to the ANS for MT clinicians and researchers new to this MT-related topic. This review […]

8. Data-driven analysis of whole-brain intrinsic connectivity in patients with chronic low back pain undergoing osteopathic manipulative treatment

   Chronic Low Back Pain (cLBP) poses a significant health challenge, leading to functional disability and reduced quality of life. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is emerging as a therapeutic option for cLBP, but the brain mechanisms underlying its analgesic effect remain unclear … MORE

9. Osteopathy: A potential ally against anorexia?

   This article addresses the complex relationship between body perception and anorexia through some examples of body psychotherapy frameworks that also integrate osteopathic principles. We aim to correlate these perspectives and propose directions for future research integrating psychiatry and osteopathy … ABSTRACT

10. Osteopathic manipulation and its applicability in the emergency department: A narrative review

    Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), also known as osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), is a set of manual techniques, developed by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, founder of osteopathic medicine, initially limited to osteopathic medicine, for the treatment of painful conditions. This toolset is now used by allopathic physicians, international osteopaths, physical therapists, chiropractors, and other healthcare workers […]