OMM & The Opioid Epidemic

[Blessthefall]

So I currently work in a clinic that provides care to the homeless and indigent and a substantial portion of our patient base is recovering/ suffering from prescription/ street opioid addiction. I find myself constantly wondering how much these patients would benefit from OMM with their chronic pain and other anatomical issues. Any current students or DO practitioners care to weigh in with either anecdotal or quantitive evidence about how OMM has impacted their patient base for the better? Not looking for a debate on OMM's legitimacy; I personally believe in it and it was a major determining factor for me selecting DO over MD. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[poloboy]

OMM is often used in concert with traditional therapies to possibly minimize additional use of pain medications, many of which are addictive.

 

[axiomofchoice]

Good... so you believe in it. Good enough reason to offer a therapy I guess. SMH

 

[Blessthefall]

Good... so you believe in it. Good enough reason to offer a therapy I guess. SMH

I should've known it would open the door to the trolls. Thanks for your sarcastic quip. You've earned your applause on SDN.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[68PGunner]

I prefer opium over OMM due to the induced high or low. I used to pop a few oxycodone and percocet for fun and giggles back in the good old days.

This is coming from a person who scores quite well on OMM practicals and written exams here.

 

[axiomofchoice]

Maybe start with reviewing the literature....

Or lash out....whatever

 

[AlteredScale]

So I currently work in a clinic that provides care to the homeless and indigent and a substantial portion of our patient base is recovering/ suffering from prescription/ street opioid addiction. I find myself constantly wondering how much these patients would benefit from OMM with their chronic pain and other anatomical issues. Any current students or DO practitioners care to weigh in with either anecdotal or quantitive evidence about how OMM has impacted their patient base for the better? Not looking for a debate on OMM's legitimacy; I personally believe in it and it was a major determining factor for me selecting DO over MD. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Chronic pain can be treated using stuff like Counterstrain. I've had it done and it does help relieve some of the pain. But again all anecdotal. If you look around the JAOA you'll see...."evidence" that says patients benefited from it. Our school has a free clinic and it gives us a chance to perform OMM evals.

 

[Blessthefall]

Chronic pain can be treated using stuff like Counterstrain. I've had it done and it does help relieve some of the pain. But again all anecdotal. If you look around the JAOA you'll see....evidence that says patients benefited from it. Our school has a free clinic and it gives us a chance to perform OMM evals.

That's awesome, thank you!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

So I currently work in a clinic that provides care to the homeless and indigent and a substantial portion of our patient base is recovering/ suffering from prescription/ street opioid addiction. I find myself constantly wondering how much these patients would benefit from OMM with their chronic pain and other anatomical issues. Any current students or DO practitioners care to weigh in with either anecdotal or quantitive evidence about how OMM has impacted their patient base for the better? Not looking for a debate on OMM's legitimacy; I personally believe in it and it was a major determining factor for me selecting DO over MD. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

lol you poor soul.

Don't worry, you'll find plenty of delusional osteopaths in the OMM department with anecdotal evidence of OMM fixing about anything.

 

[Blessthefall]

lol you poor soul.

Don't worry, you'll find plenty of delusional osteopaths in the OMM department with anecdotal evidence of OMM fixing about anything.

Lol much appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[poloboy]

I've read about the importance of OMT used on patients suffering from chronic conditions as well, such as chronic sinusitis. For example, OMT designed for the paranasal sinuses could act to relieve sinus pain, congestion, pressure, and inflammation by unblocking the nasal passages and by improving lymphatic flow. This prevents the buildup of mucus and the thickening of the sinus cavity, which would decrease the chance of a sinus infection.

 

[Blessthefall]

I've read about the importance of OMT used on patients suffering from chronic conditions as well, such as chronic sinusitis. For example, OMT designed for the paranasal sinuses could act to relieve sinus pain, congestion, pressure, and inflammation by unblocking the nasal passages and by improving lymphatic flow. This prevents the buildup of mucus and the thickening of the sinus cavity, which would decrease the chance of a sinus infection.

Everything that I had read discussed the increase in medicinal efficacy such as abx with resultant increased blood/ lymphatic circulation. What I was interested to know was if OMM could adequately address chronic issues as equally as acute. I know OMM is a subject of great and personal debate so some of the responses I've received are warranted but yours I especially appreciate.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[68PGunner]

I've read about the importance of OMT used on patients suffering from chronic conditions as well, such as chronic sinusitis. For example, OMT designed for the paranasal sinuses could act to relieve sinus pain, congestion, pressure, and inflammation by unblocking the nasal passages and by improving lymphatic flow. This prevents the buildup of mucus and the thickening of the sinus cavity, which would decrease the chance of a sinus infection.

Too wordy there. You will suffer in your OMM practicals. For future reference, you could just say that it increases GAG flow.

 

[Blessthefall]

I prefer opium over OMM due to the induced high or low. I used to pop a few oxycodone and percocet for fun and giggles back in the good old days.

This is coming from a person who scores quite well on OMM practicals and written exams here.

So is OMM a subject you feel as though you have to "grin and bear" or do you see any merit in it/ applicability in your future practice of medicine with variable patients?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[poloboy]

Too wordy there. You will suffer in your OMM practicals. For future reference, you could just say that it increases GAG flow.

Not in med school yet! But I guess I should learn from the best, eh?

Also, what does GAG stand for? Glycosaminoglycans?

 

[AlteredScale]

So is OMM a subject you feel as though you have to "grin and bear" or do you see any merit in it/ applicability in your future practice of medicine with variable patients?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Yes it is a grin and bear it subject. I will not be using OMM upon my completion of medical school. I went into a DO program wanting to learn it but that's all I said. Learn it and perhaps use it. Unfortunately, of the OMM that is strongly evidence based, it is largely techniques utilized in PT treatments. Other aspects of OMM like Chapmans Points or Cranial or Lymphatic Treatment is not stuff I would use on my patients. I would not provide a treatment that doesn't have strong evidence backing its efficacy and mechanism of action. A lot of OMM is on the level of "rub oregano oil on your right big toe for snoring" in terms of its mechanism. You can ask 5 different OMM professors from 5 different schools and they will give you 5 different explanations for why cranial treatments work or the sympathetic levels of the kidney for a VS treatment.

 

[68PGunner]

So is OMM a subject you feel as though you have to "grin and bear" or do you see any merit in it/ applicability in your future practice of medicine with variable patients?
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

I am really ambivalent about the subject. Honestly, it is just a subject. I don't feel passionate about it like some of my classmates although my lack of passion hasn't stopped me from doing well in this class. It is just another hoop in medical school. At this point, I personally don't see myself using OMM in my practice unless something significantly changes in the next 12-16 months.

 

[DubVille]

So I currently work in a clinic that provides care to the homeless and indigent and a substantial portion of our patient base is recovering/ suffering from prescription/ street opioid addiction. I find myself constantly wondering how much these patients would benefit from OMM with their chronic pain and other anatomical issues. Any current students or DO practitioners care to weigh in with either anecdotal or quantitive evidence about how OMM has impacted their patient base for the better? Not looking for a debate on OMM's legitimacy; I personally believe in it and it was a major determining factor for me selecting DO over MD. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Chronic pain has very large contribution from the central nervous system where pain signals are increased despite frequently having little anatomical basis for pain. This absolutely isnt always the case but you can treat joints, nerves, muscles, massage, etc and some chronic pain wont go away because it does nothing to change the misinterpretation/dysregulation in the central nervous system. Procedures and manipulation may work a bit, but there is very sparse evidence it does anything dramatic. Everyone in medicine has their anecdotes, mine would be that manipulation is more effective for acute/subacute injuries.

As an aside opiates dont work for chronic pain either. The higher dose you take the more likely you are to be go on disability, die, or quit working. If those same patients have doses reduced many funtional measures increase.

 

[Blessthefall]

Chronic pain has very large contribution from the central nervous system where pain signals are increased despite frequently having little anatomical basis for pain. This absolutely isnt always the case but you can treat joints, nerves, muscles, massage, etc and some chronic pain wont go away because it does nothing to change the misinterpretation/dysregulation in the central nervous system. Procedures and manipulation may work a bit, but there is very sparse evidence it does anything dramatic. Everyone in medicine has their anecdotes, mine would be that manipulation is more effective for acute/subacute injuries.

As an aside opiates dont work for chronic pain either. The higher dose you take the more likely you are to be go on disability, die, or quit working. If those same patients have doses reduced many funtional measures increase.

Thank you, that was very insightful!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[dwgrubbs1s]

A lot of this probably comes from the pleasure of getting high as well. I would say being homeless, they likely have mental health issues which would include addiction issues. OMM can be done all day on these guys and I would guess they would still being looking for a high. That is not to dismiss anyone who has chronic pain nor is it saying that none of that population has an issue with chronic pain. However given the population described, mental health issues and addiction are prevalent.

 

[Peach Newport]

OMT as an adjunct treatment for some painful conditions that might otherwise warrant narcotic pain relief? Maybe.

OMT as a treatment for symptoms of narcotic addiction or physical dependency? I have serious doubts.

 

[Blessthefall]

OMT as an adjunct treatment for some painful conditions that might otherwise warrant narcotic pain relief? Maybe.

OMT as a treatment for symptoms of narcotic addiction or physical dependency? I have serious doubts.

Yeah, I was referring to the former part of your response. I was curious about the efficacy of OMM helping to alleviate pain for conditions that could possibly warrant opioid prescriptions. I would not suspect that OMM is an appropriate treatment for the physical and psychological mechanisms/ symptoms of addiction; more the underlying pain and discomfort that resulted from the physical malady originally. I've looked online and there's not much data available on this subject. I know the effects of OMM are hard to quantify as the sensation of pain is highly subjective and is frequently described in a qualitative sense.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[ritts]

Yeah, I was referring to the former part of your response. I was curious about the efficacy of OMM helping to alleviate pain for conditions that could possibly warrant opioid prescriptions. I would not suspect that OMM is an appropriate treatment for the physical and psychological mechanisms/ symptoms of addiction; more the underlying pain and discomfort that resulted from the physical malady originally. I've looked online and there's not much data available on this subject. I know the effects of OMM are hard to quantify as the sensation of pain is highly subjective and is frequently described in a qualitative sense.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

You might find this article beneficial. Opioids may not be very useful when it comes to providing substantial relief for those with chronic pain, including the obvious risk factors... I suppose it depends what kind of pain you're dealing with if you want to try OMT

http://painresearchforum.org/news/46387-long-term-opioid-therapy-chronic-pain-more-harm-good

 

[JB50]

Ya'll who outrightly reject OMM are seriously stupid. It's basically only applicable for musculoskeletal issues but still... With the way the drugs have been infiltrating our healthcare systems and causing dependencies, you should at least consider OMM as an alternative. Especially in PMNR

 

[Dr. In Formation]

My mentor is a specialist (non-OMM) who runs a free OMM pain clinic twice a month to the underserved and lets students shadow her.

She adamantly refuses to prescribe painkillers and her patients seem to benefit from her healing hands. A lot of the patients presented with chronic pain but stated they felt better after their appointments.

I'm very grateful I had the opportunity to learn about OMM in person before choosing my path.

 

[Blessthefall]

Ya'll who outrightly reject OMM are seriously stupid. It's basically only applicable for musculoskeletal issues but still... With the way the drugs have been infiltrating our healthcare systems and causing dependencies, you should at least consider OMM as an alternative. Especially in PMNR

That's what I would think but the overall response here has been skeptical.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Blessthefall]

My mentor is a specialist (non-OMM) who runs a free OMM pain clinic twice a month to the underserved and lets students shadow her.

She adamantly refuses to prescribe painkillers and her patients seem to benefit from her healing hands. A lot of the patients presented with chronic pain but stated they felt better after their appointments.

I'm very grateful I had the opportunity to learn about OMM in person before choosing my path.

I would love to sit witness to that!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile