OMT Basics

Four tenants of OMT

• a. Body is a unit
  
• b. Body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and self-maintenance
  
• c. Structure and function are related
  
• d. Rational tx is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function

Reflex options from afferent to efferent

• i. Somato-somatic
  
• ii. Somato-visceral
  
• iii. Viscero-somatic
  
• iv. Viscero-visceral

Somatic dysfunction

• Impaired of altered function of related components of the somatic system: skeletal, arthrodial, and myofascial structures and related vascular lymphatic and neural elements

Tensegrity

• “Structural relationship principle in which structural shape is guaranteed by the finitely closed, comprehensively continuous, tensional behaviors of the system and not by the discontinuous and exclusively local compressional member behaviors.”

Acute Somatic Dysfunction

• Presentation:
  • pain that is acute, severe, and sharp
    
  • vasodilation and inflammation due to the release of bradykinins
    
  • warm, moist, red skin
    
  • endemic, boggy tissue
    
  • increase in local muscle tone leading to spasm and poor ROM
    
  • minimal somato-visceral reflexes

Chronic Somatic Dysfunction

• Presentation:
  • pain-dull, achy, itchy, crawling, gnawing, burning
    
  • vasoconstriction
    
  • cool, pale skin
    
  • chronic congestion with stringy, ropey, fibrotic, contracted, thickened tissues
    
  • decreased tone and limited ROM
    
  • commonly see somato-visceral effects

Facilitated Segment

• Somatic dysfunction leading to alteration of activity in the nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system

OMM Quiz