There is little evidence as yet that OMT is helpful for the treatment of any medical condition. There are several possible reasons for this, but one is fundamental: Even with the best of intentions, it is difficult to properly ascertain the effectiveness of a hands-on therapy like OMT.
Only one form of study can truly prove that a treatment is effective—the
double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
. (For more information on why such studies are so crucial, see
Why Does This Database Rely on Double-blind Studies?
) However, it isn’t possible to fit OMT into a study design of this type. What could researchers use as a placebo OMT? And how could they make sure that both participants and practitioners would be kept in the dark regarding who is receiving real OMT and who is receiving fake OMT? The fact is, they can’t.
Because of these problems, all studies of OMT fall short of optimum design. Many have compared OMT against no treatment. However, studies of that type cannot provide reliable evidence about the efficacy of a treatment: If a benefit is seen, there is no way to determine whether it was a result of OMT specifically or just attention generally. (Attention alone will almost always produce some reported benefit.)
More meaningful trials used fake osteopathy for the control group. Such studies are
single-blind
because the practitioner is aware of applying phony treatment. However, this design can introduce potential bias in the form of subtle unconscious communication between practitioner and patient.
Still other studies have simply involved giving people OMT and seeing if they improve. These trials are particularly meaningless; it has long since been proven that both participants and examining physicians will think, at least, that they observe improvement in people given a treatment, whether or not the treatment does anything on its own; such studies are not reported here.
Given these caveats, the following is a summary of what science knows about the effects of OMT.
Possible Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
Most studies of OMT have involved its potential use for various pain conditions.
Neck Pain
In a study of 183 people with
neck pain
, use of osteopathic methods provided greater benefits than standard physical therapy or general medical care.
12
Participants receiving OMT showed faster recovery and experienced fewer days off work. OMT appeared to be less expensive overall than the other two approaches; however, researchers strictly limited the allowed OMT sessions, making direct cost comparisons questionable. Another study evaluated a rather ambitious combined therapy for the treatment of chronic pain resulting from whiplash injury (craniosacral therapy along with Rosen Bodywork and Gestalt psychotherapy).
13
The results failed to find this assembly of treatments more effective than no treatment.
Shoulder Pain
In a 14-week, single-blind study of 29 elderly people with
shoulder pain
, real OMT proved more effective than placebo OMT.
1
Although participants in both groups improved, those in the treated group showed relatively greater increase in range of motion in the shoulder.
And, in a larger study of 150 adults with shoulder complaints, researchers found that adding manipulative therapy to usual care improved shoulder and neck pain at 12 weeks.
18
Tendonitis
In a small randomized, placebo-controlled trial researchers used oscillating-energy manual therapy, an osteopathic technique based on the principle of craniosacral therapy, to treat 23 subjects with chronic
tendonitis
of the elbow (tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis). Subjects in the treatment group showed significant improvement in grip strength, pain intensity, function, and activity limitation due to pain. These results however, are limited by the small size of the study and the fact that the therapist delivering the treatment could not be blinded.
17
Fibromyalgia
Twenty-four women with
fibromyalgia
were divided into five groups: standard care, standard care plus OMT, standard care plus an educational approach, standard care plus moist heat, and standard care plus moist heat and OMT.
2
The results indicate that OMT plus standard care is better than standard care alone, and that OMT is more effective than less specific treatments, such as moist heat or general education. However, because this was not a blinded study (participants knew which group they were in), the results can’t be taken as reliable.
In another study, 93 women (average age 53) with fibromyalgia were randomized to receive sham treatment or craniosacral therapy (one-hour sessions twice a week for 20 weeks).
19
The women in the craniosacral therapy group experienced a decrease in pain at 20 weeks, which persisted for at least one year.
In another randomized trial, 94 people with fibromyalgia received either myofascial release or sham therapy for 40 sessions (20 weeks).
21
At the 6-month follow-up, the people in the treatment group reported less pain and more physical ability. But, only some of these results lasted until the 1-year follow-up.
Tension Headaches
A study of 28 people with
tension headaches
compared one session of OMT against two forms of sham treatment and found evidence that real treatment provided a greater improvement in headache pain.
3
A small randomized controlled trial with 63 patients compared two myofascial release techniques to a control group. Myofascial release treatments resulted in fewer headaches for the 4-week trial period compared to the control group.22
Back Pain
Although OMT has shown some promise for the treatment of
back pain
,
4,5
one of the best-designed trials failed to find it a superior alternative to conventional medical care. In this 12-week study of 178 people, OMT proved no more effective than standard treatment for back pain.
6
Another study, this one enrolling 199 people and following them for 6 months, failed to find OMT more effective than fake OMT.
14
This study also included a no-treatment group; both real and fake OMT were more effective than no treatment.
A much smaller study reportedly found that muscle energy technique enhances recovery from back pain, but this study does not appear to have used a meaningful placebo treatment.
15
Osteoarthritis
Researchers analyzed 4 studies investigating the benefits of manual therapy (including massage therapy, joint mobilization, and manipulation) for
osteoarthritis
of the hip or knee.
20
The results were inconclusive. Although one of the studies (involving 68 people) did find that massage therapy helped to improve pain and function, it was compared to no intervention rather than another treatment or a placebo.
Surgery
Some studies have evaluated the potential benefits of OMT for speeding healing in people recovering from
surgery
or serious illness. The best of these studies compared OMT against light touch in 58 elderly people hospitalized for pneumonia.
7
The results indicate that use of osteopathy aided recovery.
In a much less meaningful study, OMT was compared to no treatment in people recovering from knee or hip surgery.
8
While the people receiving OMT recovered more quickly, these results mean very little, since, as noted above, any form of attention should be expected to produce greater apparent benefits than no attention.
Other Conditions
A weak study suggests that OMT might also be helpful for people hospitalized with
pancreatitis
.
9
A small study found some evidence that OMT might be helpful for childhood
asthma
.
16