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Managing Muscle Rigidity: An Osteopathic Approach to the Treatment of Stiff Person Syndrome

Journal: The AAO Journal Date: 2022/06, 32(2):Pages: 20-21. doi: Subito , type of study: case report

Free full text   (https://meridian.allenpress.com/aaoj/article/32/2/15/482674/LBORC-NUFA-Poster-Abstracts-2022-Students)

Keywords:

case report [514]
muscle rigidity [5]
OMT [2951]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [2973]
stiff person syndrome [1]

Abstract:

Introduction/Background: Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune neurologic disorder characterized by muscular rigidity and painful muscle spasms that affect proximal limb and axial muscles, leading to gait difficulties, progressive disability, and impaired activities of daily living. We hypothesize that osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) can help control pain, reduce spasm frequency, and improve gait in SPS patients. Case: A 62-year-old female patient complained of chronic, diffuse stiffness and pain of the low back and neck. She described an aching pain that waxed and waned, lasting for over an hour. Spasmodic episodes occurred four times weekly, triggered by prolonged standing or sitting. Severity was 3/10 at rest and 9/10 at worst. Physical examination revealed profound fatigue, shortness of breath, increased thoracic kyphosis, decreased lumbar lordosis, levoscoliosis, and wide-based gait. Direct MFR, BLT/LAS, and muscle energy were performed every four weeks for six months to treat somatic dysfunctions of the neck, thoracolumbar spine, diaphragm, and extremities. Results: By the third treatment, pain severity decreased to a 2/10, duration reduced to under an hour, and frequency of weekly spasmodic episodes declined. An ability to sit and stand for a longer period before experiencing fatigue was reported. Improved posture, muscle rigidity, gait, and respiratory diaphragm movement were also noted. Discussion: Our case report suggests OMT can help control pain, reduce spasm frequency, and improve gait in SPS patients. Symptomatic management may be beneficial in improving their quality of life. Future research should focus on the benefits of OMT as an adjunct to other treatment modalities. One limitation of this study was the lack of collected objective data from other healthcare providers involved in her care.


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