An Osteopathic Approach to Symptom-Based Management and Acute Pain

Musculoskeletal pain is the most common presentation in osteopathic practice, especially in the axial spine, thorax and pelvis. This course will explore osteopathic principles of pain management, discussing pain physiology through peripheral, central and cognitive sensitization, and their implications for osteopathic management strategies.

It will the use a mechanism-based classification of pain (nociceptive, neuropathic and nociplastic) to discuss symptoms and syndromes in the various regions of the musculoskeletal system, and treatment plans for these. The focus will be on acute pain and discussions and demonstrations of techniques beneficial to such patients.

By the end of the course the participant should be able to implement and integrate this knowledge and these skills immediately into their clinical practice.

Programme

Day 1

Introduction to osteopathic principles and acute pain management

Pain physiology: peripheral, central and cognitive sensitization (facilitation)

Mechanism-based classification of pain

Upper-Body - theory and practice:

• Red flag considerations in the cervical region
• Cervical spine pain symptoms and syndromes

Questions and Answers

Day 2

Mechanisms of pain relief from osteopathic manipulative treatment

Upper-body - theory and practice:

• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Cervicobrachialgia
• Chest and thoracic pain

Lower-body - theory and practice

• Lumbar spine pain syndromes Part 1.

Questions and answers

Day 3

Lower-body: theory and practice:

• Lumbar spine pain syndromes Part 2
• Pelvic pain

Summary of the course