Osteopathic Manipulations for COVID-19 Prevention

Presentation by: Vi Lam

Reviewed by: Soumyaa Thakur

Osteopathic medicine is a branch of medicine that values hands-on care, a

whole-person approach, and the emphasis on the interrelated unity of all body systems. Osteopathic physicians especially pay attention to muscle and joint movements as well as utilizing different types of pressure and resistance in their treatment. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and limited testing facilities/hospital capacity, we look into how osteopathic manipulations (OMT) at home can promote one’s respiratory and immune system. Such self-treatments not only help one’s physical ability to fight against the infection but also improves their mental health amid this public health crisis. This follows one of the main tenets of osteopathic medicine, which says ‘The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance.’

Further study:

Encourage more practicing D.Os to apply OMT to their patients if the patient’s condition and hospital settings allow for it. They can then record their findings of their patients over time into a system and see if OMT sessions help with improving COVID-19 symptoms.

References:

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Donati, A. (2020). Prolonged prone position ventilation for SARS-CoV-2

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Koulouras, V., Papathanakos, G., Papathanasiou, A., & Nakos, G. (2016). Efficacy of prone position in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients: A pathophysiology-based review. World journal of critical care medicine, 5(2), 121–136. https://doi.org/10.5492/wjccm.v5.i2.121

Lewis, D. D., DO, FAAO, Figueroa, J. S., DO, FAOCPMR, FAAPMR,

McMunn, R. D., OMS IV, & Woolley, A. L., DO. (2020). Osteopathic Self-

Treatment to Promote Health and The Body’s Ability to Fight COVID-

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Nicholas, A. S., & Nicholas, E. A. (2016). Atlas of osteopathic techniques. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.

Stenta, M. E. (2020). Buying Time: Using OMM to Potentially Reduce the

Demand for Mechanical Ventilation in Patients With COVID-19. The

Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 120(6), 418.

doi:10.7556/jaoa.2020.064

Links to OMT videos:

o Thoracic inlet release: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caNkf...

o Box breathing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odADw...