Table 1.
Osteopathic manipulative techniques: their descriptions and uses.
| Techniques | Descriptions | Uses | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Energy | Post-isometric relaxation—relaxing and lengthening a hypertonic muscle via engagement of the agonist muscle group. Reciprocal inhibition—relaxing and lengthening a muscle by activating the stretch reflex of muscle spindle fibers of the antagonist muscle, causing the agonist muscle to reflexively relax. |
Increase range of motion of restricted areas, stretch tight muscles, reduce chronic pain, and improve circulation and lymphatic flow throughout the body. | [7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20] |
| Myofascial Release | Indirect or direct techniques: Use of directionality and a passive approach by following the fascia in all directions of ease. | Release constricted tissues within the musculoskeletal systems to facilitate blood flow and lessen pain. | [21,22,23,24] |
| Balanced Ligamentous Tension | Techniques employ both compression and passive approaches to place a joint in “balance” when moved in different planes. | Increase range of motion in restricted joints in the whole body, such as the knee, TMJ, ankle, shoulder, fingers, etc. | [25,26,27] |
| Diaphragm Doming | Relaxing the respiratory diaphragm by applying pressure beneath the rib cage bilaterally. | Improve diaphragmatic excursion. Secondary uses: decrease cervical, thoracic, and lumbar pain due to multiple attachments and improve circulation. |
[28,29,30] |
| Indirect Diaphragm Release | Relaxing the respiratory diaphragm by placing the hands on the antero-lateral rib cage and moving the tissues into their position of ease. | Decrease cervical, thoracic, and lumbar pain due to multiple attachments and improve circulation. | [31,32,33] |
| High Velocity Low Amplitude (HVLA) | Application of a rapid force over a short distance directed at a joint, which engages the restrictive barrier and releases the restriction. | Decrease joint pain, improve mobility, and improve range of motion. | [34,35,36,37] |
| Lymphatic Pump | Clearing obstructions to lymphatic channels and employing pumping techniques that are commonly performed at the feet, abdomen, and thorax. | Used in gastrointestinal tract infections, respiratory infections, and edema. Secondary uses: Improve immune function and vaccination efficacy. |
[38,39,40,41] |
| Rib Raising | A method of ‘raising’ the ribs anteriorly with the intention of influencing the functin of the sympathetic chain ganglia that are anterior to the ribs. | Decrease sympathetic nervous system activity, increase respiratory excursion, increase chest wall mobility and lymphatic flow. | [42,43,44,45] |
| Cranial osteopathy | Improving both central and peripheral brain functions by balancing the CSF flow, and improving the motion of the sacrum and cranium. | Promote functioning of the primary respiratory mechanism, treat somatic dysfunction of the skull bones, tissues, dura, and overlying fascia, reducing symptom burdens related to concussions. | [46,47,48] |
CSF: Cerebrospinal fluid.