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Positional Plagiocephaly pp 71–78Cite as

Osteopathic Considerations in Positional Plagiocephaly

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Abstract

Recently, osteopathy has gained more and more interest as a complementary treatment approach, especially in non-synostotic cranial deformations. This chapter explores the origin of the osteopathic profession, its philosophy and principles, and its clinical application to the positional plagiocephalies.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Somatic dysfunction is defined as the impaired or altered function of related components of the somatic (bodywork) system including the skeletal, arthrodial, and myofascial structures and their related vascular, lymphatic, and neural elements. Somatic dysfunction may be evaluated and treated by osteopaths or osteopathic physicians using osteopathic manual technique, who look for signs and symptoms related to the somatic dysfunction commonly represented by the mnemonic device “TART” (tissue texture change, asymmetry, restriction, and tenderness) [18]. Much research has been conducted over the years on its neurophysiological effects, which today are fairly understood by looking at the mechanics of pain.

  2. 2.

    International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, approved by the WHO in 2001, complements the International Classification of Disease with the aim to integrate both medical and social aspects in the evaluation of patients’ health, by identifying limitations of function and possibly implement other interventions. The goal rests in offering the best possible solution in order to improve health, without necessarily waiting for the disease process to be expressed and diagnosed, or to improve undergoing treatment outcomes [19].

  3. 3.

    KiSS syndrome (kinetic imbalance due to suboccipital strain) is a term coined by the German medical doctor Biedermann in 1991, who assumed a functional abnormality of the upper cervical spine could lead to a number of complications, including positional plagiocephaly, if left untreated. Treatment relied on manual techniques performed locally. The whole clinical assumption was the cause of much debate in the German press and scientific circles over the years, and articles also accused the procedure to be likely to lead to false or misdiagnoses [20]. It remains unclear whether the syndrome actually exists and if there are any observable therapeutic benefits.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. German School of Osteopathy (OSD), Hamburg, Germany

    Cristian Ciranna-Raab MSc, BSc, DO, DPO

  2. Osteopathic European Academic Network (OsEAN), Vienna, Austria

    Cristian Ciranna-Raab MSc, BSc, DO, DPO

  3. International Osteopathic Centre, Milan, Italy

    Cristian Ciranna-Raab MSc, BSc, DO, DPO

Authors
  1. Cristian Ciranna-Raab MSc, BSc, DO, DPO
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Correspondence to Cristian Ciranna-Raab MSc, BSc, DO, DPO .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Department, Ospedale Niguarda Ca’ Granda, Milan, Italy

    Donata Villani

  2. Department of Preventive Medicine, ASL Milano, Milan, Italy

    Maria Vittoria Meraviglia

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Ciranna-Raab, C. (2014). Osteopathic Considerations in Positional Plagiocephaly. In: Villani, D., Meraviglia, M. (eds) Positional Plagiocephaly. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06118-4_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06118-4_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-06117-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-06118-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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