Somatic Dysfunction

An integral part of the prevention of disease and maintenance of health in Osteopathic medicine has involved the diagnosis and treatment of somatic dysfunction. However, epidemiologic studies of somatic dysfunction in the normal population are not widely documented. The current study was initiated following the results of a pilot study designed to define the incidence of somatic dysfunction in the general population.

Structural exams were performed on 196 persons to screen for somatic dysfunction. There were 137 females and 59 males with an average age of 39. The most prevailing disease states recorded by questionnaire were frequent low back pain (27%), migraines/frequent headaches (17.8%), urinary tract infections (17.3%), heartburn (12.7%), TMJ disease (10.2%), hypertension (9.6%), and arthritis (9.6%).

The frequency distribution of somatic dysfunction was variable, ranging from 27% at T11 and 85% at OA. Discriminant analysis was used to build a model that described the various illnesses based on the fundings of SD in this population The predictability of hypertension was 100%, with SD at C4, T2, T4, T9, T12, and L4. A high predictability was also found in TMJ disease and migraines/frequent headaches with several' areas of SD. In conclusion, somatic dysfunction was found in all persons screened. A high frequency of somatic dysfunction was not found in all transitional areas of the spine as previously suggested by the pilot study.

The data from the discriminant analyses suggest that somatic dysfunction is strongly associated with certain disease processes, however, further studies are required to determine the role of somatic dysfunction as a predictor of inherent diseases.
-----------------
Incidence of somatic dysfunction in the general population. C McKay-Hart, Fields. R. Erickson, J. Shore, RD Page. JOAO Research Conference Abstracts 1992