Concept
Examination and Treatment of the Pelvis, Spine, and Thorax in the Context of Metabolic Diseases
Background and Rationale
The majority of patients in my clinical practice present with musculoskeletal complaints.
Low back, upper back, and neck/shoulder pain are the most common issues encountered. Osteopathic explanatory models — including visceral, fascial, and cranio-sacral effects — attempt to describe the connection between the musculoskeletal system and other body systems. However, the mechanisms causing dysfunction in these systems are often unclear.
The realization that metabolic changes underlie today’s common diseases.
Many modern health problems, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, depression, and back pain, are associated with chronic, low-grade inflammation. The primary causes of this inflammation are our contemporary lifestyle and, in particular, our modern dietary habits. These factors disrupt metabolic processes and create a foundation for osteopathic dysfunctions.
Why the Metabolic-Osteopathic Concept (M-O-C)?
At the intersection of these two important observations, the following question arises:
Could the source of musculoskeletal dysfunctions actually be metabolic disorders?
There is now a need for a more holistic approach:
To understand how metabolic disorders create a chain reaction leading to osteopathic restrictions in joints and organs, changes in the myofascial system, disc degeneration (chondrosis), and even internal organ diseases.
The goal is to develop a treatment approach that addresses not only the symptoms but also the mechanisms causing these disorders. This approach offers a model that actively involves the patient in the process and aims for a more lasting, systemic recovery.
As a result, what emerges is:
A Metabolic-Osteopathic dialogue, namely the Metabolic-Osteopathic Concept (M-O-C).
About the Seminar Series
Since some of the module contents build upon one another, participation in all three modules in the specified order is recommended. This is particularly valid for Module 1 as the “introductory module.” However, participation in individual modules and in a different order is generally possible.
Theoretical Section:
Metabolic disorders – the cause behind most typical lifestyle diseases such as chronic back pain
• What are non-communicable chronic diseases?
• What is low-grade chronic inflammation?
• What is the difference between acute and chronic inflammation?
• What promotes the development of chronic inflammation?
• What role does nutrition play?
• What role do the gut and gut microbiome play?
• What role does chronic stress play?
• What role does the immune system play?
• What exactly is “metabolism”?
• When are you metabolically healthy or metabolically ill?
• Which blood values indicate something about a disrupted metabolism?
• Why are metabolic disorders and insulin resistance always seen together?
• What effects does this have on the musculoskeletal system: on bones, connective tissue, muscles, intervertebral discs, and pain development?
Sugar and fat metabolism
• What is normal and what is abnormal?
• What lies behind terms such as insulin and leptin resistance?
• Why are fat and adiposity the driving force of metabolic disorders, and how can this affect, among other things, the intervertebral discs?
• How do advanced glycation end products (AGEs) develop, and what do they have to do with the development of fibrosis, arthrosis, and disc degeneration?
Practical/Osteopathic Section:
Many therapists have difficulty finding and categorizing the “problematic” areas that require treatment.
This is where the following helps:
• A structured and programmed examination of the musculoskeletal system (parietal system)
• From global/guiding tests to specific/segmental findings
• With a focus on:
• Spine
• Pelvis
• Thorax
And by assisting with questions such as:
• What does “dysfunctional” actually mean?
• How do you determine whether a joint has a dysfunction?
• How can you determine whether a muscle or connective tissue has a (metabolic) problem?
• What is the model called the TART model, which is used to detect musculoskeletal disorders?
Theoretical Section:
Solutions for metabolic disorders and pain conditions:
• Which nutritional approaches can help with metabolic disorders?
“A case for Keto”
• The “how” and “why” of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet
• Why is a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet an extremely effective tool for various diseases and conditions, including pain and musculoskeletal disorders?
• How to enter nutritional ketosis?
• What to eat and what to avoid?
• Myokines: Muscles as endocrine glands and how these substances support our health
• How do white fat cells turn into beige fat cells, and what are their metabolic effects? And what are brown fat cells?
• Which dietary supplements can be used for metabolic disorders and what are their results?
How can the connections between the abdominal and thoracic organs and the spine be explained?
In addition to the established explanatory models of osteopathy, a new theoretical and practical explanatory model is presented in Module 2:
Pressure increases in “cavities” and their effects on our organism
• As an explanatory model of osteopathic chains (viscero-parietal and cranio-sacral-parietal)
• Practical test procedures for detecting pressure increases
• The role of chronically increased pressure in disc damage and pain development: The cerebrospinal venous system
Practical/Osteopathic Section:
• When are muscle techniques indicated?
• How do muscle techniques work?
• How do you correctly apply muscle techniques for the spine?
• Which techniques are indicated for acute complaints?
• Which ones for chronic conditions?
• Special intervertebral disc techniques: also for acute disc-related pain
Theoretical Section:
The role of the intestines in our health and in the development of low-grade chronic inflammation
• How can we ensure a healthy gut microbiome?
• What should a “species-appropriate” diet for the intestines of Homo sapiens look like?
• What do the intestines need? What harms the intestines?
• Which dietary supplements, such as prebiotics and probiotics, can support the intestines?
Chronic pain:
• The role of microglial cells and neurotransmitters (GABA, glutamate, tryptophan)
Practical/Osteopathic Section:
Module 3 is primarily about Impulse/Thrust techniques.
• When are impulse techniques indicated?
• How do impulse techniques work?
• How are “multi-component” impulse/thrust techniques applied?
• Why are these techniques considered more “gentle” than other impulse techniques?
• How are impulse techniques converted into mobilizing techniques?
Module 3 also provides time to review and summarize the previous modules and content.
