Osteopathic manipulative treatment may improve allergy, immune system conditions

Key takeaways:

• OMT can be performed by any practicing physician.
• It works by moving lymphatic fluid and getting rid of any blockages.
• Different techniques are helpful for different areas of the body.

BOSTON — Osteopathic manipulative treatment may be an effective adjunctive treatment for allergy and immunology conditions, according to a presentation at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting.

Matthew Barker, DO, founder and director of the Integrative Pain and Wellness Center, explained that he got into medicine due to his own chronic pain that started at a young age.

“I was naturally driven to osteopathic manipulative medicine and knew that I wanted to specialize and incorporate that into my practice,” he said during his presentation.

Barker explained that osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a set of techniques taught in osteopathic medical school that aim to help “treat tightness, asymmetries and other dysfunctions within the body.”

“There’s now training opportunities for both MDs and DOs during residency and in CME courses,” he said.

The idea behind OMT is that structure and function are reciprocally related, according to Barker. He presented an example of a maxillary bone that was not moving well, which, in turn, affected the ability of the maxillary sinus to drain mucus, which can contribute to a sinus infection.

“By normalizing these structural problems within the body using OMT, we aim to improve the function of the corresponding body part,” Barker said.

OMT for allergy and immune system conditions

OMT has shown to be a safe and affective adjuvant treatment for allergy and immune system conditions such as pneumonia, sinus infections, otitis media, asthma, peripheral edema and many others, Barker noted.

“There’s been studies on pneumonia in hospitalized patients and elderly showing reduced numbers of days in hospital, reduced days needing IV antibiotics, and less morbidity and mortality for sinus infections,” he noted.

“There have also been studies in preterm infants in hospitals that show reduced pneumonia cases, asthma, peripheral edema and other,” he continued.

Barker highlighted that when specifically used for the lymphatic system, OMT can improve certain conditions by enhancing lymphatic flow.

“If you think of a traffic jam, in order for the person at the very end of the traffic jam to get moving, everything before it has to get out of the way,” he said.

“If you’re treating somebody with fluid collection of the feet, you can start at the top and treat the thoracic outlet, check and treat the abdominal diaphragm, the pelvic diaphragm, the popliteal fascia,” Barker continued. “That’s going to make sure that all these accidents on the highway are cleared off the road, and then you can start moving things forward.”

OMT techniques

Barker listed several techniques that are used in OMT. The first one was the thoracic inlet/outlet release technique, which improves fascial tension in the thoracic inlet region.

“That repetitive motion is going to decrease fascial tension through that space and allow the thoracic duct to better drain into the subclavian vein,” he said.

The second technique he listed was the supine doming of the diaphragm.

“You’re basically contracting the diaphragm,” Barker noted.

He explained this technique is useful if you are trying to move lymphatic fluid from the lower half of the body. It can help patients with asthma or an upper respiratory infection.

The third technique is anterior cervical effleurage.

“This technique is great for anything involving the head and neck,” Barker said. “So, sinus infections, respiratory infections, allergies, and you’re just mobilizing some lymphatic fluid.”

The last technique Barker mentioned was the abdominal pump. He explained that different pumping techniques can be used to mobilize lymphatic fluid in the whole body.

“The most commonly used ones would be something called a pedal pump where you’re pushing rhythmically on the bottom of the feet,” he said. “There’s also a thoracic pump where you’re pumping onto the chest and the abdominal pump.”

He noted that studies have shown the abdominal pump moved the most lymphatic fluid.

Getting OMT certified

Barker emphasized that OMT can be performed and billed to insurance by any licensed physician (MD or DO) within any specialty. He explained that resources are available to those wishing to incorporate OMT into their practice as well as the coding for billing these treatments.

“OMT is a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for a variety of medical conditions, and osteopathic manipulative treatment can be performed and billed to insurance by any licensed physician, MD or DO, within any specialty,” Barker said. “So go and practice some OMT.”

For more information:

Matthew Barker, DO, can be reached drbarker.ipawc@gmail.com.