OMM for sinusitis

[PublicHealth]

Anyone know if OMM may be used to treat chronic sinusitis? If so, where can I get more information?

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[DrMom]

I've been told that it can, but we haven't gotten that far in my OMT class yet.

 

[Dr JPH]

Originally posted by PublicHealth
Anyone know if OMM may be used to treat chronic sinusitis? If so, where can I get more information?

There are Chapman's points which correlate with the sinuses.

Located at the base of the occiput with anterior points at the head of the 2nd rib.

You can do a search of yoru schools library for a book on Chapman's points.

A keyword search of OstMed for "sinus" brought up 125 hits and for "sinusitis" brought up 102.

Go here for that link:

http://ostmed.hsc.unt.edu/ostmed/index.html

I have also learned techniques that basically help to drain the sinuses with stimulation of nerves of the face, corresponding with their exit points in the facial bones. It has been described by some as a "milking" of the sinuses.

I have done both the Chapman's point technique as well as the milking technique and have had relatively good results in clearning sinus congestion, but have found a wide range in how long the sinuses remain clear. From half an hour to several hours.

I'm only a 2nd year student so there is no doubt my technique can improve and that this may have some effect on how well the techniques work and how long the results last.

As far as CHRONIC sinusitis, again..search the literature.

Some SPECIFIC things that may be helpful to you:

Sinusitis and OMT .The AAO Journal: A Publication of the America Academy of Osteopathy 1998 Spr;8(1):11-12

Year Book (Academy of Applied Osteopathy) 1948;NA(NA):113-128

Chronic rhinosinusitis . Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 1998 May;98(5 Suppl):S5-S9

The AAO Journal: A Publication of the America Academy of Osteopathy 1994 Fal;4(3):20-21

Osteopathic manipulative therapy as a primary factor in the management of upper, middle, and pararespiratory infections . JAOA: The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 1982 Feb;81(6):382-388, quiz 350-351



Hope that is a good starting point.

I would be interested in reading what you can pull out of the articles.

Best of luck.

Josh

 

[PublicHealth]

You rock Josh! Thanks a bunch!

 

[Dr JPH]

Originally posted by PublicHealth
You rock Josh! Thanks a bunch!

No problem.

 

[Notorious D.O.C.]

We learned about it. I think it's a load of crap.

 

[Naraku]

One of my preceptors is doing research on OMT and sinusitis. He was enthusiastic about it, but I really don't have details.

Personally, when I'm congested, I've found that auricular and mandibular drainage really helps. At least I think that that's what they're called... it's been a while. I'm at that point in my training where I still remember how to do most things but have no idea what they're called anymore. Hopefully I'll remember before Step II comes around...

Paige

 

[applicant2002]

yes, Paige--I remember seeing that study on Research Day--I don't remember the details either, but from the people they had already enrolled (it's still ongoing), OMT increased recovery time by several days.

 

[Dr JPH]

Originally posted by Notorious D.O.C.
We learned about it. I think it's a load of crap.

Boy...it's a good thing your thoughts don't mean a whole lot to anybody.

 

[sleep deprived]

There are also ways to manually aid in the drainage of the ethmoid, frontal, and maxillary sinuses with your fingers. Did you guys learn them? We did last spring during year 1. I have used the techniques on friends and family who have had sinus infections and they liked them alot. But the key is friends and family, you always wonder if they are not telling you the truth.

 

[Goofyone]

I have to admit I'm a little skeptical of this stuff too, although not to the point of notorious

I have been learning head and neck anatomy for the last 4 weeks, and I know that the sinuses are hollowed out parts of bones. Wouldn't this mean that you'd have to actually push hard enough bend in the surrounding bones of the sinuses to increase the pressure so the snot can be squirt out?

The maxillary bone was quite hard, and took a minute to get through it with the bone saw. It doesn't seem like it would bend easily. I even palpated it to see, seriously.

Can someone explain to me another way how the drainage techniques could work?

The ear drainage sounds more plausible, as the lower part of the auditory tube is flimsy and can be moved fairly easily.

Thoughts?

 

[DOSouthpaw]

If you are using the cranial model to do this, then you have to understand that according to the cranial principle, movement only occurs on living bone and not dead bone. Therefore that techniques would be quite forceful on your anatomy lab cadaver and much more gentle on the living bone. Especially if you do indirect.

I know that there are very rough HVHA techniques that DCs do on the C spine that can drain those sinuses too, but it's probably from the quick motion that does it. lol

 

[Dr JPH]

The sinuses are innervated by branches of the Trigeminal nerve (V). Frontal, Ethmoid, Sphenoid by V1 and Maxillary by V2.

Here is what you want to do to treat sinuses:

Promote mucociliary cleareance. Free up constraint on the lymphatics in the area. Alter somatovisceral reflexes to the sinuses.

Increasing lymphatic flow from the head can result in reduced swelling of the sinus mucosa. (Foundations p.292)

You want to also improve blood flow to the area.

For a more clear idea, read Foundations pp291-292 (the red covered one)

DiGiovanna and Schiowitz show this as well. pp373-375

Hope this helps.

If you need more info, refer to what I cited here and in my above post.


And, on a personal note...these techniques do work quite well, and pretty quick.

Personally, I like the Chapmans technique. the "milking" technique is important to know as well as counterstrain.

And always rememebr to free up the lymphatics BELOW the area you are treating. Clearing the sinuses is great, but you need to open up those cervical lymph routes for the stuff to drain.

Good luck.

 

[DOSouthpaw]

Hey JP, how's the Crow Daddy doing up there in PCOM? I'm still trying to figure out some stuff he did to me at Convo. A very cool and strange man he is. lol

 

[Goofyone]

Thank you both for the insights.

 

[Dr JPH]

Originally posted by DOSouthpaw
Hey JP, how's the Crow Daddy doing up there in PCOM? I'm still trying to figure out some stuff he did to me at Convo. A very cool and strange man he is. lol

He is wowing students here as well. Amazing practitioner.