1. Spinal Manipulation – Another (Non-opioid) Tool for your Multi-disciplinary Pain Management Tool Box.
Lecture Goals:
To familiarize pain-treating doctors on the potential, application and contraindications for spinal manipulation when treating patients with non-cancer chronic pain.
International Cloud University: Dale E. Alsager, D.O., Ph.D., Interim Dean International Cloud University School of Medicine and Health Science
Improving World Health Through Education ©2014
1/8/2018

2. Osteopathic Physician & Surgeon
By Dale E. Alsager D.O., Ph.D.
Osteopathic Physician & Surgeon
Osteopathic Medical Services, Inc.
©2012
______________________________________________
International Cloud University:
Dale E. Alsager, D.O., Ph.D., Interim Dean
International Cloud University School of Medicine and Health Science
Improving World Health Through Education ©2014

3. Disclaimer: I have in the past received remuneration for:
Teaching Assistant (OMM Lab) at Kirkville College of Osteopathic Medicine. (non-paid) (1994)
CME Lecturer on Spinal and Pelvic Biomechanics for the Washington State Osteopathic Association annual convention. (Semiahmoo and Stevenson, WA)
CME Lecturer for Oregon State Osteopathic Medical Association Annual Convention on Spinal and Pelvic Biomechanics and OMT Lecture and OMT demonstration
CME Lecturer for N.W> State Osteopathic Medical Convention (Las Vegas) on “the most common overlooked cause of Low Back Pain and OMT – un-level sacral base.” (cont’d)

4. CME Lecturer for New Mexico Osteopathic Association Convention (2011) Short Leg Syndrome, its Diagnosis and Treatment in a Medical Practice. Lecture and Demonstration
CME Lecturer Hawaii Osteopathic Medical Association Annual Convention. Biomechanics affecting Low Back Pain and Treatment guidelines using OMT
Part-Time Guest Lecturer OMM Department at Yakima Osteopathic Medical College (PNWU) Lecture and Lab, three hours
Hired by Chiropractic Group in Kelowna, B.C. to do a feasibility study on starting up a Chiropractic Medical College in western Canada. ( )

5. Because many pain complaints involve mechanical changes (injuries, falls, MVA, etc.)
Manipulation of hard and soft tissues by skilled practitioners can bring pain relief and often can reduce, and in some cases eliminate, the need for narcotic medications.

6. 3 Types of Practitioners
D.O.s – Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons (OMM, OMT)
D.C.s – Chiropractors
P.T.s – Joint mobilization

7. Comparison of Manipulative Approaches - Education & Licensure
Osteopathic Physicians
Following Bachelor’s level education, four years of osteopathic medical school plus a minimum of one or two years post-doctoral training (plus board exams) required for licensure. All specialty boards available.
Chiropractic
Following Associate level education, four years of Chiropractic school (plus chiropractic boards) required for licensure.
Physical Therapy
Master’s level education in Physical Therapy following Bachelor’s degree required for licensure or registration.
Unlimited license in all states and U.S. Armed Forces for practice of medicine and surgery in addition to OMT.
Limited licensure⁴ for treatment of neuromusculoskeletal system; in some states restricted to spine regions only.
Limited license or registration for practice of physical therapy; requires physician referral in some states.

8. Osteopathic Physicians
Comparison of Manipulative Approaches – Practice Patterns & Practice Basis
Osteopathic Physicians
Frequency of treatment determined by ongoing evaluation. Typically fewer encounters per patient. “Find it, Fix it, and Leave it alone.” Utilized by multiple physician specialties.
Chiropractic
Treatment plan with intermittent reevaluation.
Higher frequency of treatment. (The “Rule of the Nerve”).
Physical Therapy
Treatment plan set by initial evaluation; reevaluated following completion of plan.
Higher frequency of treatment.
Decision to utilize OMT based on multi-system differential diagnosis; (evaluation and management service to diagnose somatic dysfunction);
D.O. is responsible for all aspects for patient’s diagnosis and treatment.
The “Rule of the Artery” prevails.
Based on effect of spinal misalignment (called “subluxations”) on nervous system function.
Diagnosis limited to impairment and functional limitations.

9. Comparison of Manipulative Approaches – Coding Distinctions
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Codes:
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT); one to two body regions involved.
Three to four body regions involved.
Five to six body regions involved
Seven to eight body regions involved.
Nine to ten body regions involved.
Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment Codes:
Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); spinal, one to two regions.
Spinal, three to four regions.
Spinal, five regions.
Extraspinal, one or more regions.
Physical Medicine Manual Therapy Code:
Manual therapy techniques (e.g., mobilization/manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, manual traction), one or more regions, each 15 minutes.
**Multiple Differences in Technique and Terminology Exist.**

10. Not all D.O.’s Do OMT:
Following graduations from an AOA accredited medical college, D.O. graduates may access all post-graduate specialties (i.e., dermatology, cardiology, OB-GYN, anesthesiology, family practice, internal medicine, etc.)
Some D.O.’s may choose to complete a residency in OMM. (Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine – 2 years.),
or: Board Certification in Neuro-muscular Medicine, (2 year process: exam, case presentations, and research.)
or: Board Certification in Family Practice and OMT, (2 year residency plus written and practical specialty board exam which include proficiency assessment in OMT.)

11. 70% of D.O.’s end up in Rural Practice.
D.O.’s traditionally practice in rural settings and training is comprehensive to provide a variety of procedural skills (x-rays, etc.), to prepare D.O.’s to serve communities where a variety of specialists might not be available.

12. How Osteopathic Manipulation Works:
The science of osteopathy is built around “the rule of the artery”, which stems from an old and very basic principle of physics relating to how fluids move through tubes.

13. The Equation: Flow = π r² …
π being the coefficient of friction of fluid against the tube wall,
r being the radius of the tube
Squared(²) is the square of the radius of the tube (artery).
(Cont’d)

14. The Equation: (cont’d)
If you have fluid (blood) passing through a tube (artery) and are able to increase the tube by twice, (doubling the radius of a capillary), the effect on flow is not a doubling, but “squared” which is equivalent to approximately 16 times the flow.
The Goal of OMT is simple, and based on science.
If an osteopathic physician can increase the diameter of blood or lymphatic vessels by removing or reducing physical restrictions surrounding them, then the flow of blood to the diseased organ or body part can be increased by the square of the radius of those blood vessels affected.

15. Osteopathic Manipulation
Osteopathic Manipulation has the power to influence the body’s homeostatic regulators – the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Through direct manipulation of peripheral sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia, osteopathic physicians can affect physiological change by quieting a sympathetic response, or by stimulating parasympathetic signals (including small arterioles that regulate blood flow).

16. Osteopathic Manipulation (cont’d)
The neurophysiological basis for osteopathic palpation and somatic dysfunction* was formally recognized by the scientific community in 1942, when Irvin M. Korr, Ph.D., and J.S. Denslow, D.O., published their landmark research in Journal of Neurophysiology.¹
* See definition slide 37.

17. Photo - Denslow
SNOM Newsletter, Page 5, Oct

18. Sympathetic Ganglia There are three cervical ganglia (on each side)
There are three sympathetic ganglia that relay impulses to all organs in the abdomen.
There are 12 sets of (chain) ganglia on each side of the spine in the thoracic region.

19. When an organ is diseased it sends sympathetic signals to the corresponding segment of the spinal cord which results in an excitation of that segment of the spine = (a viscero-somatic reflex). Also the reverse can occur – (a somato-visceral reflex).
A “facilitated spinal segment” can be palpated by a trained osteopathic physician, giving diagnostic clues regarding the anatomic location of the dysfunction. (“T.A.R.T.”)

20. Sympathetic chain ganglia in the Thoracic region are located close to the rib heads and transverse processes of vertebrae can be physically manipulated by a trained physician.
Osteopathic physicians learn how to make physical contact with these ganglia by moving the vertebrae and rib, or viscera using osteopathic manipulation quieting the abnormal sympathetic discharge.
Some parasympathetic nerves and their ganglia can be accessed manually by the physician.

21. Osteopathic techniques vary considerably among practitioners
Osteopathic techniques vary considerably among practitioners. However, standardization of basic techniques for accreditation purposes is overseen by the American Osteopathic Association.⁵
ALL OMT work on the same neurophysiological principle.

22. How Chiropractic Treatments Work:
Treatments are based on “the rule of the nerve.”
If the flow of nerve conduction from the spinal cord is compromised by an abnormal position of the vertebrae (called “subluxations”) then the organ’s function will be compromised.

23. Most of the laws regulating the chiropractic profession historically restricts their treatment to manipulations of the spine.
Osteopathic manipulation is not restricted to the spine, but may include all regions and structures of the body including the cranium and viscera (abdominal organs)

24. The rule of the nerve is also recognized by the osteopathic profession as we also pay close attention to restrictions to nerves passing through any part of the body.
It is interesting to note, historically, that osteopathic medicine is an older science than chiropractic.² Osteopathy was discovered by A.T. Still prior to Chiropractic was started by D.D. Palmer in 1894 (Davenport, Iowa).³

25. Osteopathic and Chiropractic Techniques Are Different
3-plane of motion localization of barriers vs. single plane motion localization.
Techniques differ (HVLA vs. multiple indirect, direct and positional release.
Rule of the Artery vs. Rule of the Nerve
Frequency of Treatment.

26. Osteopathic Technique
Osteopathic manipulation techniques involve learning how to position intervertebral joints for manipulation in three planes of motion simultaneously - flexion/extension, rotation, and side bending.
Osteopathic manipulation is a difficult skill to master, but when mastered, offers an extremely gentle and effective way of moving tissues and joints from a restricted to an unrestricted position.

27. Chiropractic Technique
Chiropractic manipulation, in contrast, primarily involves high velocity low amplitude thrust techniques to a single plane of motion (“subluxation” – an abnormal vertebral position) – usually either flexion, extension or rotation.
Some Chiropractic doctors use an “actuator” to affect the HVLA thrust. Treatment techniques vary considerably between physicians. Chiropractors are not trained in pharmacology or surgery so their scope or practice does not include these modalities.

28. Osteopathic manipulation can be used by itself, or in combination with any other medical specialty.
Any medical specialist, such as family practice, internal medicine, critical care, OB/GYN, general practice, surgery, pain management, etc., utilizing OMT as an adjunct to their specialty, has a very powerful diagnostic and treatment advantage in patient care.

29. Pain management, whether using pharmacology or other modalities, when combined with manipulation, offer a treatment outcome that is predictably and consistently more efficacious than a single modality used alone.
Another difference between the osteopathic and the chiropractic philosophies is the frequency of treatment.

30. The Chiropractic Approach:
A frequent series of treatments.
The basis for this is ensuring that the “plugged in “ connection at the spine is making contact so nerve innervation is maximized so healing can occur.

31. The Osteopathic Philosophy and Approach:
“Find it, Fix it, and Leave it alone.”

32. Osteopathic physicians are REQUIRED to perform and “evaluation and management service (an E&M portion of the billing for services_ for each manipulation considered.

33. In other words, prior to a joint manipulation being performed, an osteopathic physician must do a detailed diagnosis of the somatic dysfunction for each segment of the spine or part of anatomy being treated.
This is done by assessing the anatomic position with the hands, using palpatory skills for rotation, flexion/extension, side bending in addition to assessing tenderness, asymmetry, range of motion, and tissue texture changes (T.A.R.T.) If no restrictions are found, then it is not to be treated.

34. This contrasts with the other manual therapists (chiropractors and physical therapists) who are generally paid a global fee for “a chiropractic treatment” or a “joint mobilization” in the case of some physical therapists.

35. Massage therapists are restricted to soft tissue techniques which are effective for improving blood flow and lymphatic flow throughout the body.
Because soft tissues are primarily influenced by the position of bones, massage therapy is most effective when ordered following OMT.

36. CONTRAINDICATIONS
Direct Techniques: structural defects (bone), metastatic disease, osteoporosis, etc.
Indirect Techniques: relatively benign, safe in skilled hands for elderly or frail.⁶

37. Definitions
Somatic dysfunction is impaired or altered motion of the body framework (or soma) – its bones, joints, and myofascial tissues – and its related elements – its vessels, lymphatics, and nerves.

38. Finding a D.O. with Manipulation Skills in Your Neighborhood:
Click on Find a D.O. – enter
Uncheck your geographic location
Search all specialties
Click on Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment.

39. References
Denslow, J.S. et al. Journal of Neurophysiology, 1941, 1942, 1944
Booth, E.R., History of Osteopathy and 20th Century Medical Practice.
Still National Osteopathic Museum records, Kirksville, MO., c/o A.T.Still University, Kirsville, MO.
Table. Source: The AOA of Socio-economic Affairs, American Osteopathic Association publication, April 2002
Foundations for Osteopathic Medicine, AOA 1996.
Snider, Karen T., et al. Preventative Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment and the Elderly Nursing Home Resident: A Pilot Study., JAOA Vol. 112, No 8,
SNOM Newsletter, Page 5, Oct. 1991