Unpublished MSc thesis, Wiener Schule für Osteopathie, 2001/10, , type of study: ,cct,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Full text    (https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/3068)

Keywords:

whiplash injuries [6]
cervical spine [320]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [3946]
OMT [3925]
controlled clinical trial [324]
WSO [508]

Abstract:

Study Design: prospective clinical controlled pilot study Objectives: a. to find characteristical lesional patterns in patients after whiplash injury b.to investigate if osteopathic treatment is efficient in rehabilitation of patients with symptoms persitant more than 2 weeks after accident Methods: Osteopathic treatment without hvt- thrusts to the spine (for medicolegal reasons) Results: Whiplash is an acceleration- deceleration mechanism of energy transfer to the neck. It may result from rear-end or side impact motor vehicle collisions, but can also occur during diving and other mishaps. The impact may result in bony or soft tissue injuries (whiplash injury), which in turn may leed to a variety of clinical manifestations (Whiplash Associated Disorders). The fact that quite a few patients report symptoms lasting longer than 2 weeks is not evidence against causation. There was no dose - response relationship found in previous studies. Osteopathy is a manual therapy. For diagnosis and treatment only the hands are used. Osteopathic approach sees the whiplash accident as a whole body injury. Lesional patterns were found in different systems (structural/vertebral/fascial, visceral, craniosacral). We established three groups of patients (patients with conventional and osteopathic treatment/ only conventional treatment/ patients with previous osteopathic treatment). A total of 21 patients was examined. The lesional pattern was found in each of the patients. Differences in the pattern can be explained by the use of seatbelts and airbags and are also related to the impact force. It could be shown that the onset of symptoms is due to a loss of compensation. It is not necessary to start the treatment at the neck area especially in cases of stiffneck syndrome. Even by adjustment of peripheral joints you can increase the ROM of the head. Conclusion: Onset of symtoms after whiplash type accidents is due to a loss of compensation. Whatever you do to recompensate the system increases the ROM of the head and diminishes the symptoms. Osteopathic treatment gives the body a possibility to find a better way of compensation and therefore is not only curative but also a means of prevention of symptoms.