| RESEARCH |
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| Since 1985, we have been leading a research into visceral osteopathic field. With X-Rays and echograms, we first studied the movement ("dynamics"), in the abdomen, of stomach, small and large intestines, hepar, lien, reni and pancreas under the influence of diaphragma respiratory movement; this visceral movement does not correspond with peristaltism. |
| 1. OBJECT |
| No scientific study, or statistic of the global deplacement of the viscere (internal organs) in the abdomen under the influence of diaphragmal pressure had been available untill 1985 anywhere. |
| An estimation of this movement by argumentation based on anatomy and physiology had been proposed, and certain observations had been made, but there was no statistical study!... From an epistemological point of view we would like to stress the fact that this study has been carried out with all objective rigour, thus prohibiting us from inducing the results stripped of all preconceived ideas. We have only wanted to show what it is. |
| We started this work in June, 1985... Everything still had to be done: to define the imagery which allow an optimal approach of the organs, to establish a strict protocol and methodology; throughout the work we had to register the sources of error, to arrange them into series, to analyse and to circumvent them, to carry out and read the results of exminations to look for the collaboration of a statistician capable of understanding our motivations, as well as setting up a programme and interpreting the results... In short, taking all necessary and sufficient precautions, a condition necessary in order to achieve a trustworthy and scientific work. All together, three years of research, twenty-four hours of video tapes, three thousand negatives. |
| All together, three years of research, twenty-four hours of video tapes, three thousand negatives. |
| 2. MEANS |
| The study of the bio-dynamics of gastro-intestinal system has been achieved by X-Ray examinations. |
| The study of the bio-dynamics of the hepar, of the pancreas, of the reni and the lien has been achieved by using echography. |
| 3. METHODOLOGY |
| All the values mentionned refer to a shift from exhalation towards inhalation, the patient standing upright, which presents the avantage of reproducing the conditions of everyday life. |
| Radiographic and echographic examinations are recorded on video tape. |
| This video tape is viewed on the screen of the echograph whose camera allows us to capture the pictures (one in inhalation, the other in exhalation). |
| These pictures are computerized: the computer memorizes the horizontal and vertical shiftings and the variation of the inclination axis in each space plan. |
| 4. ERROR TESTS AND MARGIN OF ERROR. |
| We made error tests submitted to the statistic analysis and set up a protocol of examination taking all precautions in order to cancel the listed sources of error. First of all, we observed oscillations of the patient, involontary shifts of the probe and so on... Recapitulative tables with values calculated in the different error tests had served as a margin of error for the statistical study. |
| After that, we analysed the dynamics of the same organ during a series of ten respiratory movements. At this stage of the study, the statistic results had enabled us to consider that the movement is repetitive in time and presents the same variations of horizontal, vertical and of inclination shift. |
| CONCLUSIONS: THERE IS A COHERENCE OF THE DYNAMICS FOR ALL THE ORGAN. |
| Coherence of the dynamics : |
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| 5. STATISTICS |
| The files put into memory enabled us to achieve a statistical analysis including: averages, variation types, correlations, histograms. |
| 6. CONCLUSIONS |
| The osteopathic concept maintains, in particular that the bio-dynamics viscero-diaphragmatic is organized in a precise system where anarchy does not belong, where the visceres are shifted under the diaphragmental pressure according to constant axes and directions and furthermore, the homeostasis of these organs (and of the other systems in general according to the concept of inter-dependency and inter-relation) depends on the diaphragmatic-visceral fonctioning. |
| The reader can evaluates the CONCLUSIONS of this work, where it appears that in all events a constituted and repetitive dynamics does exist on visceral level. |
| Exemple of the visceral dynamics |
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| 7. TWO RECENT STATISTICAL STUDIES |
| A. ABNORMAL DYNAMICS AND VISCERAL PROBLEMS |
| Based on the conclusions, we thought that, in every case, every abnormal dynamics could induce visceral problems and in the future visceral lesions. |
| Trying to corroborate this idea, a new study was recently carried out. |
| The visceral mobility of a check sample is compared to patients suffering of definite visceral troubles : gastralgia, gastric burning, gastroesophageal reflux, hiatus hernia, diarrhoea and constipation. To do so, we used the tests of "Student" and "Fischer-Snedecor". |
| We were able to conclude that a definite organic dysfunction seems to be in correlation with the perturbed dynamics of a definite level. |
| Examples : |
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| We notice that the perturbed levels correspond to the physiological orders of the internal organ perturbed in its function. |
| In practice these conclusions are not the only key because it is always necessary to try to determine the possible causes of the modification of the dynamics. Many causes are possible: disturbances of the diaphragmatic mechanics, post - operative after effects, disturbances of the mobility of the pelvis. The osteopathic approach remains total! |
| B. PRESSING MODEL |
| For a long time, osteopaths have thought that the local dysfunctions of the visceral dynamics engender, in a more or less long term, dysfunctions "of nearness". The anatomical links bring, maybe, a part of answer, but the supply of the pressure, generated by the diaphragm, from an internal organ to the other might complete the diagram. |
| To try to define a possible pressing model, we have looked for the coefficients of correlation of all the dynamic parameters between themselves (vertical and horizontal movements, variation of the angle of inclination) for all the segments of the gastro-intestinal tract and both diaphragmatic coupola during the respiratory act. |
| At the moment, this study, always current, was only realized on the frontal plane. |
| Methodology |
| We select an element, for example the right diaphragmatic coupola. Its three parameters are compared with each other, then each of them is compared with the parameters of the left diaphragmatic coupola and with all the segments of the digestive tract. |
| We repeat the same operation for the left diaphragmatic coupola, for the gastric fundus and the body of the stomach (gastric fondus), for every segment of the duodenum, for the jejunum, for the ileum and for each segment of the colon. |
| Conclusions |
| Some very interesting notions have appeared. Here are the main ones : |
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| In practice these observations consolidate the osteopathic concept : it is always necessary to look for perturbed levels at a distance of the symptomatic area. |
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| THERAPY |
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At the end of three further years study, we have naturally come to concretize this study by opening up ON PRACTICAL AXIS, by an original visceral programme of normalizations based on our conclusions. |
| We perform manual test : |
The fascial induction test means to induce manually a global fascial shift in the investigated area in order to judge the state of the tissue in that place. The normal mobile tissue presents a supple texture that, when lightly pressed, gives a kind of bounce. |
| The fascial induction is based on 2 parameters : |
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| which allow us to diagnose : |
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| This test is carried out in the beginning of the treatment, in order to determine the level to be favoured in the normalizations and after manual normalizations to control in the same way the return to normal response of the tissue and, probably, to a normal dynamics. |
| Let us remember that the osteopathic visceral normalizations aim to liberate, by manual techniques, all tension restraining the original diaphragmatic dynamics imposed on the intra-abdominal organs, to restore their plasticity and elasticity in order to maintain the homeostasis. |
This being integrated into a synthetic approach of the case to be treated. These normalizations can be determining not only at visceral level (treatment of the dyspepsia, constipation, colitis), but also in a more global approach. (treatment of the lumbago, cervicalgia, headache). |
| Important remark : |
| In our optics, there is no need to try to localize exactly the organ during the diagnostic tests and the visceral normalizations. According to us, the osteopath, so successful, so bright he is, cannot claim to determine with accuracy the position of organs, variable in shape and situation, through the fascial environment and many interfaces in which they are muddled. In these conditions, we prefer to speak about " tests and normalizations of visceral areas " in the presumed uprightness of the organ”. This fascial visceral area is supposed to stiffen and to lose its elasticity within the visceral osteopathic dysfunction. |
| Beside, this notion of area also means that it is, according to us, quite impossible to clarify with accuracy the first cause of a dysfunction whatever it is. Inded, the intricacy of the visceral phenomena’s, thoracic, vertebral, cranial, diaphragm, and so on…, is such as to want to discover the first cause would mean knowing EVERYTHING of his patient, wich is impossible. The osteopath can only know his (her) patient « here and now » even if he has to investigate as globally as possible. |
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| PROJECTS |
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We suggest leading soon a new study (by medical imaging and statistics) on the effects of the osteopathic normalizations on diverse visceral or shady functional pathologies (gastralgia, diarrhoeas, etc.); it seems at the moment that there is, empirically, correlation between the recovered dynamics of the organ and the disappearance of the symptoms. This research should be displayed over the next five years and could bring essential elements of answer to the understanding of these phenomena. |
| TO FOLLOW ... |
| A research on the diaphragmatic and pelvic mechanics and the therapeutic involvements from our own experience and more than 250 articles appeared in the last 20 years. |
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| CONFERENCES & EDUCATION |
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We work, each other, in our private consulting room. |
| We are scientific collaborators of the FPMs (Polytechnic Faculty in Mons Belgium). |
| A research is carrying out with the Engineers of the FPMs and a private society. |
| On request, we give conferences and course about our researches and therapy. The courses inclose a part of theory (We have produced a one and a half hour video explaining the whole research) and a very important part of practice. We already went in Italy, Norway, Spain, at Wiener Schule für Osteopathie (Austria) and USA. |
We are regulars professors at : |
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| PUBLICATIONS |
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"Biométrie de la dynamique viscérale et nouvelles normalisations ostéopathiques" |
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| "Treating visceral dysfunction" (the same in english) |
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