Somatic Dysfunction - Significance

Significance

The physical manifestation of somatic dysfunction is frequently associated reciprocally with visceral illness, generally related to the vertebral level associated with the organ in question. For example, T-6 (the sixth thoracic vertebra) is associated with the stomach. Similarly, the resolution of either can aid in the resolution of the other. For example, an infection may be associated with edema (causing a tissue texture change). Lymphatic drainage aids in clearing the infection while, conversely, resolution of the infection causes clearing of associated edema. Thus the physician attempts to aid the resolution of visceral disease by eliminating its associated manifestation in the musculo-skeletal system. These two reflex effects are generally referred to as the somatovisceral and viscerosomatic reflexes, respectively and are routinely encountered in regular clinical work. Interestingly, it does not matter if the spinal lesion was caused by nociceptic (pain) impulses from the organ, or by biomechanical forces. The result is the same-a reciprocal neurological phenomenon between the viscus and the vertebra wherein the status of the vertebra has been altered, which will generally persist in the absence of treatment, and will create trouble unless treated.

When this "vicious cycle" is broken by the application of osteopathic manipulation, a return to normal physiological status both in the spinal tissue and the organ tissue generally ensues except when complicated by the presence of major infection or significant physical trauma. The clinical picture will vary from patient to patient, but the phenomena are based on sound neurologial principles.

The founder of osteopathic medicine, Dr. Andrew Still, held that spinal lesion effects were based on the compromise of vascular supply not on neurological effects. In recent years, most osteopathic physicians agree that neurological effects are primary, while vascular changes may play some part.