Flu and OMT...maybe for Bird Flu??

Source: www.acofp.org/member_publications/ca1_nov_02.html

Flu is a killer, despite the fact that many dismiss it as a mild ailment, attributed with killing 500,000 Americans in 19181. Flu, the colloquialism for influenza (ICDM code 487.1) is defined in Dorland’s Medical Dictionary, as an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract occurring in isolated cases, epidemics, and pandemics, with infections of the nasal mucosa, pharynx, and conjunctiva, headache, and severe, often generalized myalgia.3 Synonyms include “grip” and acute catarrhal fever. Influenza viruses are orthomyxoviruses4, classified as types “A,” “B,” or “C” depending on reaction of complement fixing antibodies to the virus’s nucleoprotein, and matrix proteins. The virus’s genetic make up is a single-stranded RNA virus.Frequently dismissed as minor or misdiagnosed as other respiratory infections, this illness affects 10 to 20 percent of Americans yearly, resulting in about 110,000 hospitalizations, and causing about 20,000 deaths.

Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy

Specifically the thoracic lymphatic pump and rib elevation OMT techniques, can be beneficial by encouraging proper tissue activity and metabolism, and providing a proper immunologic environment. OMT has been shown to improve motion, enhance blood and lymph flow associated with thoracic cage motion, more rapid clearing of airway secretions, and maintaining proper lung function, ultimately enhancing healing. Treatment should be directed to the entire body in a holistic approach, and should not be limited to the cervical, upper and lower thoracic regions, lumbar, and sacral regions in addition to the thoracic cage. These modalities should be offered to individuals suffering from chronic respiratory disease, a population susceptible to influenza. Naturally, appropriate hygienic procedures and prophylactic measures should be taken by the manipulator. Magoun demonstrates osteopathic techniques specific for influenza, noting the benefits and giving pictorial demonstration again of the lymphatic pump, as well as fourth ventricle compression using one hand on the forehead and one on the mastoid region with upward motion. The importance for craniocervical junction release was stressed. And a technique assisting postnasal drip where the osteopathic physician using one hand occludes one nostril, while applying force on the contralateral temple was described. This reference indicates that treatment once to thrice daily is appropriate for 20 to 30 minutes at a time.