Asthma and Osteopathy

Asthma is a widespread chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, marked by hyperactivity of the bronchial structures. The prevalence of asthma is on the rise, particularly in highly industrialized regions, for reasons that are not entirely clear. Multiple factors, such as increased allergies, pollution, changes in living conditions, and dietary alterations, have been suggested as potential contributors to this increase.

The Clinical Picture

At the heart of asthma are three key phenomena: bronchospasm, bronchial wall edema, and hypersecretion. These conditions lead to bronchial obstruction and airflow limitation, which are the typical functional consequences of asthma. Symptoms may include dyspnea (difficulty breathing), which can vary in severity and often occurs suddenly, primarily of an expiratory type. Other symptoms may include expiratory wheezing, a sense of chest constriction, and a poorly productive cough with the expectoration of particularly viscous mucus.

Osteopathy and Asthma

Osteopathy is a holistic approach to health prevention, using manual contact for diagnosis and treatment. It respects the relationship between the body, mind, and spirit in both health and disease, emphasizing the structural and functional integrity of the body and its inherent tendency to self-heal. Osteopathy is increasingly recognized as an effective treatment for asthma control.

Osteopathic manipulative techniques can assist all aspects of the breathing mechanism, "normalizing" all the structures involved: the ribs, the spine, the diaphragm, and the accessory respiratory muscles. The nerves controlling the rib cage and the supply of blood and other fluids to the bronchi and lungs are also addressed, offering an important role in asthma control.

In treating asthma, an osteopath aims to influence therapeutic responses through three distinct physiological mechanisms:

1. Restoring rib cage conformity: The osteopath works to restore the maximum conformity of the rib cage to increase the patient's respiratory movement, acting on the structure of breathing and on the muscular component of the same, thus obtaining results on function.
2. Normalizing autonomic nervous system function: The second physiological mechanism affected by osteopathic treatment of an asthmatic patient is the normalization of the function of the autonomic nervous system. Treatment that restores movement of specific spinal regions will improve the response to adrenergic stimuli, and therefore respiratory function.
3. Rebalancing blood-lymphatic flow: Lastly, osteopathic treatment rebalances the blood-lymphatic flow to and from the bronchial tree. Treating fascial tension (the support structure of the lymphatic vessels) reduces airway congestion in patients with asthma.

While further research is required to fully understand the mechanisms and potential of osteopathy in treating asthma, there are numerous professionals that support it can be an effective part of an integrated approach to managing this condition.

Disclaimer

The information provided here about osteopathy and its potential benefits for asthma treatment is based on the principles and claims within the field of osteopathy itself. It's important to note that osteopathy, as a holistic approach, may not be universally recognized by all medical professionals or supported by conventional scientific research in the same way as more traditional medical treatments.