Treatment of Pain and Injury

RHEUMATOLOGIC DISORDERS

FIBROMYALGIA

Gamber RG , Shores JH , Russo DP , Jimenez C , and Rubin BR
Osteopathic manipulative treatment in conjunction with medication relieves pain associated with fibromyalgia syndrome: results of a randomized clinical pilot project. 

JAOA: The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 2002 Jun;102(6):321-325, quiz 354-355

Twenty-four female patients meeting American College of Rheumatology criteria for FM were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: (1) manipulation group, (2) manipulation and teaching group, (3) moist heat group, and (4) control group, which received only current medication. Significant findings between the four treatment groups on measures of pain threshold, perceived pain, attitude toward treatment, activities of daily living, and perceived functional ability were found. This study found OMT combined with standard medical care was more efficacious in treating FM than standard care alone.

Lo KS , Kuchera ML , Preston SC , and Jackson RW
Osteopathic manipulative treatment in fibromyalgia syndrome
JAOA: The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 1992 Sep;92(9):1177

Patients responded positively to OMT with improved sleep (84.2%) and subjective pain relief (94.7%). Most patients had significant reduction of tender points after weekly OMT for 4 weeks; 21% had less than 11 tender points at the end of the study and would no longer meet American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia syndrome. A follow-up questionnaire from 11 patients reported the effect of OMT lasted for an average of 3.7 weeks (range: 1 week-6 weeks). 

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ARTHRITIS

Pham CN and Knebl J
Effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on knee osteoarthritis. JAOA: The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 2000 Aug;100(8):511

The purpose of this study is to determine the degree to which osteopathic manipulative treatment(OMT) can improve the quality of life for subjects with osteoarthritis (OA) over the age of 55. Range of motion and OMT increased both range of motion and the ability to do daily activities. 

Scandalis TA , Hallas BH , Wells MR , and Bosak A
The effect of OMT on range of motion in the arthritic knee
JAOA: The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 1997 Aug;97(8):484

Case study of a patient with osteoarthritis of the knee who received OMT twice per week for a period of eight weeks. Post-treatment measurements at eight weeks showed improvements in stride length, cadence, shoulder and hip linear velocity, knee range of motion, and toe displacement. The results suggest that OMT may be an effective treatment modality in preserving or improving range of motion and gait parameters in patients with osteoarthritis in the knee.