The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 2020/02, 120(2):e3-e4. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2020.023, type of study: ,art,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

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Keywords:

somatic dysfunction [159]
thoracolumbar junction [2]
thoracic spine [98]
lumbar spine [65]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [3946]
OMT [3925]
article [2634]

Abstract:

Gordon Zink, DO, presented an efficient and effective means of approaching a patient from the respiratory circulatory model with a goal of maximizing venous, lymphatic, and arterial flow to improve health. Some of the key somatic dysfunctions in his treatment approach were found at the transition zones of the body, which are not only areas of increased stress, but are also closely associated with transverse diaphragms. At the thoracolumbar junction (T12-L1), the kyphotic curve of the thoracic spine is transitioning to the lordotic curve of the lumbar spine. This transition zone is therefore a crossover or inflection point of the spine and is subject to increased stresses, injury, and somatic dysfunctions. The horizontal diaphragm associated with the thoracolumbar region of the spine is the thoracoabdominal diaphragm.