Osteopathic Stuff

Question 1

What are the 4 osteopathic Principles

Answer 1

1) Body is a unit; person is a unit, mind and spirit
2) Body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance
3) structure and function are reciprocally interrelated
4) Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the principles of the body unit, self-regulation, and the interrelationships of structure and function

Question 2

What is somatic dysfunction?

Answer 2

impaired or altered function of the body framework: skeletal, arthrodial, myofascial, and related elements: nerves, lymphatics, or vessels

Question 3

What does a D.O. look for on physical exam?

Answer 3

TART:
Tissue texture changes (edema, warmth, redness, hypertrophy, atrophy, rigidity etc)
Asymmetry (always compare sides)
Restriction (test motion)
Tenderness (subjective)

Question 4

What are the 3 barriers to motion?

Answer 4

Anatomic : limit of passive motion, which if breached causes damage

Physiologic: the limit of Active motion

Pathologic/Restrictive: Functional limit within the anatomic motion which decreases the physiologic range

Question 5

What is a viscerosomatic reflex?

Answer 5

Visceral input that is referred to a corresponding segmental somatic structure (heart attack causes left shoulder pain)

Question 6

What is a somatovisceral reflex?

Answer 6

somatic stimuli that produce response in segmentally related visceral structures

Question 7

What is a direct technique?

Answer 7

Moving tissue/joints into a barrier… uses force to create motion into and beyond the restrictive barrier

Question 8

What is an indirect technique?

Answer 8

moving tissue/joint to a position of ease, away from the barrier or restriction

Question 9

How do you use “muscle energy” and what is it?

Answer 9

patients activate muscles opposite the area of restriction which causes “reciprocal inhibition” and relaxation of the muscles that are “tight”…

ie. for tight biceps… extend at elbow. This will engage the tricep and necessarily “reciprocally inhibit” the bicep to help with relaxation (example of a direct technique)

Question 10

What is counterstain?

Answer 10

INdirect technique
Focuses on identifying tender points
Places patient in a position of ease around the tender point to reduce activity of efferent nerves and thereby decreasing pain

Question 11

HVLA

Answer 11

High velocity, low amplitude thrust (popping and cracking like the chiropractor)

Question 12

What are absolute and relative contraindications of OMM?

Answer 12

Absolute: fractures & neurovascular instability

Relative: don’t do HVLA in hypermobility or acute spasms

Question 13

Myofascial release

Answer 13

indirect OR direct technique

used to stretch and relax muscular and fascial restrictions (basically for any kind of massage)

Question 14

How is myofascial release used in carpal tunnel syndrome?

Answer 14

1) open tunnel by hyperextending wrist
2) abduct thumb (w. #1 still too)
3) Indirectly stretch the canal with “internal dilation” by hyperextending wrist to pull the thicker tendons into the tunnel

Question 15

What is craniosacral OMM?

Answer 15

moving cranial sutures to relieve headaches etc.

Question 16

What are the 2 tests osteopaths use to evaluate low back pain

Answer 16

1) Standing Flexion test: place fingers on patients PSIS and have them bend and touch their toes… should be smooth and fingers should move the same amount… IF one finger moves higher, then that sides is the symptomatic side!

2) Stork Test (aka Gillett Test): Again both fingers on PSIS and have patient bring one knee up (marching band style).
Normal finding = finger on side of movement will end up lower than the control side.
Positive finding = finger on side of movement ends up at same level or Higher than control side!