Osteopathic manipulative treatment in the management of notalgia paresthetica.
Notalgia paresthetica is a chronic sensory neuropathy characterized by pruritus of the upper to middle back, typically below the left shoulder blade. Symptoms may include pain, hyperesthesia, paresthesia, and hyperpigmentation of the affected area. Although the etiologic process of this condition is poorly understood, recent correlations with degenerative spinal changes suggest that spinal nerve impingement may play a role. The authors report the case of a 59-year-old woman with notalgia paresthetica who received one 20-minute session of osteopathic manipulative treatment that focused primarily on thoracic spine and rib somatic dysfunctions. After treatment, the patient reported immediate improvement of symptoms. A discussion of this condition based on previously published literature is also provided.
Richardson
Blakely S
BS
University Hospitals Richmond Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. blakely.richardson@uhhospitals.org
Way
Bill V
BV
Speece
Arthur J
AJ
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology; D026301:Manipulation, Osteopathic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy