Vortrag in Gent (B), 2008
The treatment of the intrathoracic fascia is a possible osteopathic technique to improve reduced cervical mobility. As no recent data about the efficiency of this treatment is available, this study aims to investigate its' effectiveness.
Method:
A preliminary study was undertaken on 5 healthy test persons examining which movement direction of the cervical spine was significantly influenced by treatment of the intrathoracic fascia. Thus the main study compared the change in cervical spine rotation after an intrathoracic fascial treatment to that after a control treatment, using a cross over design on healthy test persons (n=36). The results of both treatments were compared.
Results:
The preliminary study showed a significant increase in the degree of rotation in both directions after the thoracal treatment (right: p = 0,002; left: p = 0,001).
The main study showed a significant increase in the degree of cervical rotation in both directions after the intrathoracic fascial treatment in comparison to the control treatment (right and left: p <0,000).
Conclusion:
Healthy test persons experience an increase in the degree of cervical rotation. After receiving treatment on the intrathoracic fascia. Further studies on a symptomatic population are necessary in order to investigate the relevance of this technique on cervical dysfunctions.
Key words:
Osteopathy, intrathoracic fascia, cervical dysfunction, cervical spine, rotation, cervical mobility.
Autor: Börge Hanisch (MSc. Ost., D.O.)
