In the fascinating world of osteopathy, the latest scientific paper “Neurophysiology Neuro-Immune Interactions and Mechanobiology in Osteopathy in the Cranial Field: An Evidence-Informed Perspective for a Scientific Rationale” offers new insights that will be of interest to practitioners and patients alike.
The focus is on osteopathy in the cranial field (OCF) and sheds light on how manual treatments in the cranial area can influence neurophysiological and neuroimmunological processes.
This study dives deep into the world of cranial osteopathy, a technique that focuses on manual manipulations of the skull to achieve health benefits.
Despite its widespread use, the scientific basis for many of these practices remains unclear.
The authors of the article explore the historical development of OCF and the challenges it faces in terms of scientific validation.
A key theme of the article is the complex relationship between mechanoreception – the way our body responds to mechanical stimuli – and its effects on pain syndromes and neuroinflammation.
In particular, the paper examines the role of the trigeminal nerve and the trigeminal-vascular system in regulating these processes.
These findings could open up new possibilities for the use of OCF in the treatment of pain and inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system.
Barsotti et al 2023 suggest that mechanical, tactile and thermal stimulation applied by osteopaths to the craniofacial area, particularly the cranial grooves, can improve painful dysfunctional syndromes and modulate neuroinflammation through endocranial effects on the trigeminal system, meninges, ANS and CNS.
Thus, slow and deep manual touches on the skull could non-invasively stimulate various sensory fibers of the trigeminal nerve, including the supraorbital and infraorbital nerves. According to the authors, the subsequent activation of the trigeminal nuclei could promote the restoration of the neuro-immune balance, starting with the activity of the ANS, via homeostatic regulatory pathways. In addition, OCF could modulate the trigemino-vascular system by targeting specific mechanoreceptors, including Piezo2, which is activated by tactile stimuli and expressed in Merkel cells. In addition, cranial osteopathic treatment approaches could indirectly stimulate TRP channels through the release of endocannabinoids.
This could have a regulatory effect on neuroinflammation and chronic pain.
In summary, the article provides an informed discussion of the current evidence in OCF.
It highlights the need for further research to better understand the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of these fascinating osteopathic practices.
For practitioners and patients interested in the latest developments in osteopathic medicine, this article provides valuable insight and encourages further research and discussion in this area. You can download the original article“Neurophysiology, Neuro-Immune Interactions, and Mechanobiology in Osteopathy in the Cranial Field: An Evidence-Informed Perspective for a Scientific Rationale” download here.Related articles:Occipitoatlantic decompression improves blood flow to the brainDirectmeasurement of the rhythmic movements of the human head identifies a third rhythmWithPAG and vagus nerve to relaxation: 20 top tips
