[Manual medicine and osteopathic methods on the growing spine]. / Manuelle Medizin und osteopathische Verfahren an der wachsenden Wirbelsäule.

The application of various techniques in manual medicine on infants, toddlers and adolescents enjoys widespread acknowledgement not only in the musculoskeletal field but also beyond that. For a long time, the seminars of the DGMM have been trying to structure the advanced training of doctors and the vocational training of physiotherapists and to adjust it according to the latest clinical and scientific findings (in this subject matter). Considering the controversial debates, this seems particularly necessary and meaningful. This article aims to identify the current state of discussion and the consensus between medical associations but it also means to provide assistance in daily routine.

[Manual-medical differential diagnosis of low back pain including osteopathic procedures]. / Differenzialdiagnostik manualmedizinischer Syndrome bei unteren Rückenschmerzen unter Einbeziehung osteopathischer Verfahren.

The differential diagnostic evaluation of painful functional disorders of the lumbosacral and lumbopelvic region, i. e. the so-called "low back pain" is very extensive, but is often reduced to the question of chronicity. The manual medical diagnosis can make a valuable contribution in such cases for determination of structural and functional pathology. Early application of manual medical therapies seems to be effective for peracute complaints. The mobilization of restrictions of the pelvic visceral attachments should be included. In the following review manual medical syndromes are presented that summarize the findings from the musculoskeletal and visceral system. This is intended to facilitate the primary differential diagnostic evaluation, as well as treatment planning. The combination with osteopathic methods is very profitable. A necessary specialist differential diagnosis remains essential.

[Manual medicine]. / Manuelle medizin.

The techniques of manual medicine provide the basis for the palpatory recognition of dysfunction, primarily in the musculoskeletal system. The essential criterion of manual medicine is inclusion of the segmental level of function. One criterion of evaluation is, most notably, segmental hypomobility. The purpose of manual diagnostics is to determine segmental blockage. Manual therapy techniques lead first to improved function of the segment and, consequently, to improved function of the whole organism. Manual medicine focuses on the (peri)articular and myofascial levels as well as on the nervous control level of the motion segment and may interact with therapeutic methods. For therapeutic purposes, the joint may be manipulated with impulse as well as without therapeutic impulse for soft techniques. Different muscle relaxation techniques are used on the myofascial system to achieve improved function of reflectory or structurally altered musculature and of the myofascial system.

[Functional disorders and functional diseases in the region of the upper cervical spine particularly regarding the cervical joints. Current status and clinical relevance]. / Funktionelle Störungen und funktionelle Erkrankungen im Bereich der oberen Halswirbelsäule unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Kopfgelenke. Aktueller Stand und klinische Relevanz.

Functional disorders of the upper cervical spine may be responsible for or the primary cause of persistent complaints following an injury or illness. Functional disorders involving the cervical joints, especially C0/C1 and C1/2 but also the C2/3 junction are of particular clinical relevance. Range of motion assessment is extremely important for the diagnosis of joint disorders. Hypomobility or "blockade" can be diagnosed using special examination techniques that, in many cases, can be extended for direct manual therapy. Periarticular structures involved in these dysfunctional processes, especially muscles and fasciae, must also be examined and treated. Clinical manifestations may include locally restricted muscle extensibility (e.g., trigger points, tension or muscle shortening) with zones of radiating pain as well as referred problems distal to the primary lesion. Functional disorders in the region of the upper cervical spine may be accompanied by various types of reflexive compensatory problems. Although they must be diagnosed separately, these disorders frequently respond to the manual therapy techniques used to treat the underlying functional problem. Even if the exact correlations to functional medicine cannot be scientifically demonstrated in every case, functional assessment and treatment techniques are, in our view, a useful addition to the armamentarium for orthopedic diagnosis and treatment.