Physiological Effects of OMT

Question 1

What are the mechanical effects of OMT?

Answer 1

restoration of normal mobility and elimination of restrictive barriers

Question 2

What are the neurological effects of OMT?

Answer 2

Restoration of normal movement, increased muscular response to movement, and reduction of pain.

Question 3

What are the effects of OMT at the peripheral level?

Answer 3

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Question 4

What are the full effects of OMT at the spinal cord level?

Answer 4

Joint manipulation can increase intrarticular space, range of motion and joint gapping.

Joint gapping results in diminished intra-articular pressure, which increases range of motion and decreases pain.

OMT also increases segmental mobility will also diminish strain on neighboring joints, reducing instability of neighboring joints.

Question 5

What are the effects of OMT at the supracord levels?

Answer 5

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Question 6

What is Panjabi’s Neutral Zone?

Answer 6

The neutral zone is a zone in the segmental motion in which passive restraints are not engaged and stability is provided primarily through the active and neurocontrol subsystems. In the neutral zone, there is a high degree of reliance on the segmental musculature responsiveness.

In the neutral zone, little resistance is offered by the spinal column. Zone of high flexibility or laxity.

Question 7

How does the neutral zone relate to somatic dysfunction of the spine?

Answer 7

a somatic dysfunction of the spine, like instability, will cause a significant decrease in the capacity of the stabilizing system to maintain the neutral zones within physiological limits, inducing neurological dysfunction, major deformity and incapacitating pain.

When a movement occurs and the segmental musculature is not responsive, a somatic dysfunction can occur.

Question 8

Describe the effects of pain and injury on muscle firing patterns

Answer 8

Normal non-pain populations have well defined areas of firing. Injury or pain will cause smudged areas of firing.

Question 9

What are the mechanical effects of OMT involved in reducing somatic dysfunction

Answer 9

Techniques such as FPR, HVLA, Muscle energy can correct these dysfunctions by influencing the neural control, re-establishing the “normal” neutral position