Overcoming barriers to the use of osteopathic manipulation techniques in the emergency department.
BACKGROUND
Osteopathic Manipulation Techniques (OMT) have been shown to be effective therapeutic modalities in various clinical settings, but appear to be underutilized in the emergency department (ED) setting.


OBJECTIVE
To examine barriers to the use of OMT in the ED and provide suggestions to ameliorate these barriers.


METHODS
Literature review


RESULTS
While the medical literature cites numerous obstacles to the use of OMT in the ED setting, most can be positively addressed through education, careful planning, and ongoing research into use of these techniques. Recent prospective clinical trials of OMT have demonstrated the utility of these modalities.


CONCLUSIONS
Osteopathic Manipulation Techniques are useful therapeutic modalities that could be utilized to a greater degree in the ED. As the number of osteopathic emergency physicians increases, the opportunity to employ these techniques should increase.
Roberge
Raymond J
RJ
National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pittsburgh, PA.
Roberge
Marc R
MR