Lumley Heather, Omonullaeva Nozimakhon, Dainty Philip, Paquette Joseph, Stensland Jack, Reindel Kelsey
Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clearwater, USA.
Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Davie, USA.
Cureus. 2025 Feb 28;17(2):e79844. doi: 10.7759/cureus.79844. eCollection 2025 Feb.
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a hands-on therapy approach used by osteopathic physicians that aims to alleviate viscero-somatic changes by considering the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit. One of the most common uses for OMT is the treatment of musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints, which are a significant cause of pain and disability across various populations, including the US Military, where personnel often face unique and physically demanding working conditions. In 2019, MSK injuries alone accounted for nearly half of the limited duty days in the US Army, with low back pain being the leading cause of medical encounters over the past 10 years among active-duty personnel. Previous studies have shown that OMT can improve functional status, reduce pain, and have minimal adverse effects when treating low back pain. It has also been found to be twice as effective as placebo treatments and comparable to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in terms of pain relief. Given the high incidence rates of MSK issues during active duty in the military, OMT may be a viable treatment or adjunctive therapy option for this population. The purpose of this scoping review is to evaluate the current research on OMT among US military members and veterans, determining any potential positive or negative effects that may be attributed to this therapy. A comprehensive search was conducted across six databases from inception to November 2023, yielding 497 articles, which were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Nine studies were ultimately included and evaluated based on the target treatment area. The most commonly employed forms of OMT included myofascial release, soft tissue manipulation, and counterstrain techniques. The primary outcomes after OMT were reduced pain and improved range of motion or functionality. Other positive findings included a decrease in opioid usage, reduced nausea, lower healthcare costs, and lower incidence of alcohol and substance use disorders within the military populations studied. This is the first review of its kind to evaluate OMT within military populations, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing pain, increasing functionality, and lowering complications associated with military duties. Further research into the utilization of OMT within the military should be pursued, considering it as a potential first-line or adjunctive therapy for service members and veterans across various settings and dysfunctions to continue evaluating its long-term effectiveness.
整骨手法治疗（OMT）是整骨医生使用的一种手法治疗方法，旨在通过考虑身体、心理和精神的相互联系来缓解内脏-躯体变化。OMT最常见的用途之一是治疗肌肉骨骼（MSK）疾病，这些疾病是包括美国军队在内的不同人群中疼痛和残疾的重要原因，在美国军队中，人员经常面临独特且对身体要求很高的工作条件。2019年，仅MSK损伤就占美国陆军有限工作日的近一半，腰痛是过去10年现役人员就医的主要原因。先前的研究表明，OMT在治疗腰痛时可以改善功能状态、减轻疼痛，且不良反应最小。研究还发现，在缓解疼痛方面，它的效果是安慰剂治疗的两倍，与非甾体抗炎药相当。鉴于军队现役期间MSK问题的高发病率，OMT可能是该人群可行的治疗或辅助治疗选择。本综述的目的是评估美国军人和退伍军人中关于OMT的现有研究，确定可能归因于这种治疗的任何潜在正面或负面影响。从数据库建立到2023年11月，对六个数据库进行了全面检索，共获得497篇文章，并根据纳入和排除标准进行筛选。最终纳入九项研究，并根据目标治疗领域进行评估。最常用的OMT形式包括肌筋膜松解、软组织手法治疗和对抗牵引技术。OMT后的主要结果是疼痛减轻，活动范围或功能得到改善。其他积极发现包括在研究的军人人群中阿片类药物使用减少、恶心减轻、医疗成本降低以及酒精和物质使用障碍的发病率降低。这是首次对军队人群中的OMT进行此类综述，证明了其在减轻疼痛、提高功能和降低与军事任务相关并发症方面的有效性。应进一步研究OMT在军队中的应用，将其作为不同环境和功能障碍的现役军人和退伍军人的潜在一线或辅助治疗方法，继续评估其长期有效性。
