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Osteopathy London
The medical model of injury and illness is the dominant way of thinking about medical problems. When we are hurt we and the doctor search for the faulty structure, diagnose the type of fault present and aim treatment at rectifying this fault and return the area to normal. If we have a broken bone, a chest infection, a heart attack or an arthritic knee we expect the treatment to either cure the problem completely or to minimise the symptoms. Overall this approach works extremely well but it falls down when presented with a series of pain conditions which do not fit the model and are resistant to normal treatment.
If we sprain an ankle the pain signals rush up the nerve towards the spinal cord and cross over onto the next relay of nerves up to the brain. This next relay of nerves is made highly sensitive by the incoming pain and they start to react more and more strongly to the incoming barrage, amplifying the pain we experience in our mind. This will settle down as the injury heals and the system resets to normal, however this does not always occur or a pain can start without any incoming tissue pain at all. This is a pain syndrome, a collection of painful and other symptoms which do not appear to have an underlying pathology.
Examples of pain syndromes are fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), chronic widespread pain (CWP) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). A minor or moderate wrist or ankle injury, followed by immobilisation, can develop into a tight, stiff, swollen and painful joint with very poor function, leading to the diagnosis of CRPS. The plaster or splint should be removed as soon as possible to allow Osteopathy rehabilitation to start, educating the patient about the pain they need to cope with as they exercise their joint every hour. The Osteo will work on passive, active and functional movements, reassuring the patient that the pain they are suffering is vital to their recovery.
Widespread pain syndromes are very challenging problems for the patient and are very difficult to treat with any success. CWP shows trigger point hypersensitivity in the bellies of the muscles, specific points which are very painful to palpate and refer pain down to structures nearby. Osteopathy treatment consists of an exercise programme, stretching, acupressure, postural correction advice and acupuncture. Fibromyalgia has the typical symptoms of CWP with the addition of difficulties concentrating, IBS, severe fatigue, unrestored sleep, poor sleep, hypersensitivity to pressure and an over-reaction to activity.
Psychological interviewing of these patients is vital as having a long-term pain problem is very likely to produce low mood, depression and anxiety which in turn lead to poor coping and difficulties engaging with therapy. The clinical psychologist may find that the patient discloses a significant history of abuse, either in childhood and/or in adult relationships. This will have lead to important difficulties in dealing with other people, negative thinking, passive communication, anger and problems sticking to a treatment once agreed. The clinical psychologist will have an important role in supporting these patients through a course of treatment.
A FMS pain management programme covers several psychological skills and strategies, including pacing activity, realistic and negative thinking, assertiveness and communication skills, mindfulness and acceptance, goal setting and planning, validation of the reality of the condition and reduction of isolation by meeting others with the same condition. Passive communication with families, friends and others is very common and this leads to anger and frustration as they are unable to make their needs clear. The overall very negative nature of the pain experience leads to a negative bias in thinking about the world and their problems.
Doctors are unable to treat pain syndromes with any degree of success but some medication, such as amitriptyline, can be of benefit, reducing pain and helping sleep. Morphine related drugs may increase confusion, fatigue and lack of mental sharpness. Osteopaths prescribe a graded exercise programme, for which there is reasonable scientific support, and monitor it closely to improve fitness, strength and ability. Stretching can also be taught and is useful where the pain prevents exercise. A multidisciplinary approach and a graded, structured treatment plan are essential for these patients.
