Abstract

As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed across the globe, clinical reports and autopsies on patient deaths proved that the pulmonary complications were the result of an acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by an excessive inflammatory response; a cytokine storm. Through literature research and review it has become apparent to the author that the lymphatic system is a vital, somewhat overlooked, missing link in the treatment of COVID-19 pulmonary infection.

The major challenges the whole world is facing now have been a shortage of supplies such as PPE, or personal protective equipment, and intensive care facilities to treat the overwhelming numbers of COVID-19 cases, in under-developed countries as well as developed countries. Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) have been proven, for over a century, to be very effective in the treatment of pulmonary diseases and previous pandemics. Osteopathic professionals must challenge the present paradigm of modern medicine which, only too often, relies less on the body’s own capacity to regulate itself, to compensate, and to heal, and more on outside intervention such as medications and vaccinations.

Osteopathic physicians are needed to step forward and discuss, explain, teach and train the importance of the lymphatic system as a major component of the circulatory as well as the immune system which plays a vital, pivotal, role in fighting diseases such as the COVID-19 coronavirus. A “viral infection protocol” (VIP), as discussed in this article, needs to be promoted as a mainstream adjunct, along with all of the other modalities of modern medicine, to health professionals and the public, in the event that the health care systems are overwhelmed.

The VIP treatment is easy to train and to certify practitioners, with proven results in other pulmonary infections and epidemics. It may prove invaluable in preventing clinical deterioration of masses of patients, who then would require more expensive, less available, and more dangerous technological interventions.

Abstract

This is a case of a 73-year-old female with achalasia, hiatal hernia, and prior failed laparoscopic Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication suffering from severe gastroesophageal disease. The patient developed debilitating neck pain associated with her severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). She underwent a comprehensive musculoskeletal workup that included a cervical computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The radiologic imaging results proved unremarkable for identifying the cause of her neck pain. Pain management, neurology, and neurosurgery consultations were unable to provide an etiology that explained her symptoms. Searching for methods of treatment to relieve her neck pain, she received osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) focused on somatic dysfunction of both the musculoskeletal system and viscera. The results of osteopathic treatment significantly improved her symptoms. Although OMT provided temporary relief of her neck pain, her GERD symptoms persisted and her neck pain gradually returned. Since a comprehensive workup for neck pain revealed no etiology and she had positive responses to OMT, including treatments focused on the viscera, we attributed her neck pain to a viscerosomatic response of gastrointestinal disease. This case report demonstrates the benefit that osteopathic manipulative treatment provides in diagnosis and treatment of uncommon causes of neck pain such as that resulting from viscerosomatic reflexes. Identifying viscerosomatic reflexes can broaden differential diagnoses and lead to better patient care.

Abstract>

Low back pain is a common occurrence in pregnant and non-pregnant patients. Pregnancy causes many anatomic and physiologic changes in the body and invariably leads to altered stresses on the musculoskeletal system. These alterations in the body can persist into the post-partum period as somatic dysfunctions. This case report outlines the importance of an osteopathic approach to address somatic dysfunctions related to low back pain of the pregnant and/or post-partum patient.

A 39-year-old female presented with low back pain that was exacerbated by her pregnancy, which has continued into the post-partum period. She was found to have significant somatic dysfunctions related to her condition. An osteopathic approach was utilized to relieve her low back pain and improve her function with all the duties required to care for a newborn.

Abstract