The AAO Journal, 2006/03, 16(1):23-25, type of study: ,ppt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Free full text   (https://www.academyofosteopathy.org/aaoj)

Keywords:

asthma [62]
myofascial trigger points [11]
OMT [3924]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [3945]
pretest posttest design [240]

Abstract:

Background 4.4 to 6.2 percent of the adult population has a physician confirmed diagnosis of asthma. Physicians use pulmonary functional tests to accurately assess and reproduce the pulmonary functional state of an asthmatic or non-asthmatic patient. Myofascial trigger points in various parts of the body have been documented to have physiological effects on the organs of the body. Objective A myofascial trigger point on the skull was identified and treated in nine patients with an acute asthmatic exacerbation and who were at the time refractory to standard rescue treatments. Methods A Peak Flow Meter was used to determine peak flow. These measurements were obtained after the use of a rescue inhaler or nebulizer but before the experimental treatment. A trigger-point was found at the left parietal eminence on the skull in patients. The trigger-point was treated using direct pressure, and the scalp was folded around the point. An additional measurement was obtained approximately three minutes after the treatment was applied. Results The percent change in peak flow for patients classified as mild varied from 82% to 89%.  For the moderately involved, the percent change was 52% to 87%. Only one patient was classified as severe and the increase was approximately 53%. A significant change in peak flow was seen with the patients treated with the osteopathic manipulative treatment technique described (p < 0.0003). Conclusion While the retrospective study showed interesting and dramatic results, further study is needed.