Briz Osteo

16/10/2026

Intervertebral lumbar space and sciatic nerve thickness during flexion-distraction technique in asymptomatic participants – an exploratory study. - The Flexion-Distraction Technique (FDT) is used to mobilize the lumbar spine and relieve low back pain. However, there is limited evidence on the mechanisms underpinning this intervention. This study compared the intervertebral space between L5 and S1 (L5-S1) and sciatic nerve thickness at different FDT positions in an asymptomatic sample.

15/10/2026

Description and Reproducibility Metrics of a Procedure for Measuring the Obliquus Capitis Inferior Muscle Stiffness using Shear-Wave Elastography in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain - Reliable quantification of deep-cervical muscle stiffness is clinically relevant, yet the reproducibility of shear-wave elastography (SWE) for the obliquus capitis inferior (OCI) has not been established. This study aimed to describe a standardized SWE procedure for measuring OCI stiffness and to determine its intra- and inter-examiner reliability in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain.

Reliable quantification of deep-cervical muscle stiffness is clinically relevant, yet the reproducibility of shear-wave elastography (SWE) for the obliquus capitis inferior (OCI) has not been established. This study aimed to describe a standardized SWE procedure for measuring OCI stiffness and to de...

14/10/2026

Comparative Effectiveness of Neck Proprioception Exercise, Deep Neck Muscle Training, and Conventional neck exercises in Managing Chronic Neck Pain: A Network Meta-Analysis - Exercise is recommended for chronic neck pain, but the comparative efficacy of different modalities remains uncertain. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare and rank neck proprioceptive training, deep neck muscle training, conventional exercises, and combined programs for reducing pain and disability.

Exercise is recommended for chronic neck pain, but the comparative efficacy of different modalities remains uncertain. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare and rank neck proprioceptive training, deep neck muscle training, conventional exercises, and combined programs for reducing pain and dis...

13/10/2026

Osteopathic manipulative treatment in a patient with hepatic echinococcosis: a case report with evolving understanding - Cystic echinococcosis (CE) may remain clinically silent or present with nonspecific symptoms, even in inactive stages. This case report describes a 67-year-old man with inactive hepatic CE who sought osteopathic care primarily for chronic low back pain and also reported reflux symptoms managed with antacids, sleep disturbance, and anxiety-related distress. The intervention was symptom-oriented and not intended to directly affect the hepatic cyst.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) may remain clinically silent or present with nonspecific symptoms, even in inactive stages. This case report describes a 67-year-old man with inactive hepatic CE who sought osteopathic care primarily for chronic low back pain and also reported reflux symptoms managed with....

08/10/2026

Comment on "Thoracic manipulation versus myofascial release on pain, function, and proprioception in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome: A randomized controlled trial" - Abdel-Aal and colleagues [1] report a three-arm randomised controlled trial comparing scapular stabilisation exercises (SSE) alone with thoracic manipulation plus SSE and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM) plus SSE. The comparison is clinically relevant, but the conclusion that IASTM provides a clinically meaningful adjunctive advantage warrants qualification. The key question in a randomised trial is not whether participants improve within each arm, but whether the incremental difference between randomised groups is large enough to matter clinically and is reported consistently.

Abdel-Aal and colleagues [1] report a three-arm randomised controlled trial comparing scapular stabilisation exercises (SSE) alone with thoracic manipulation plus SSE and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM) plus SSE. The comparison is clinically relevant, but the conclusion that IAS...

12/09/2026

Generative AI and the Future of Learning in Osteopathic Medical Education - Generative artificial intelligence (AI) platforms are being utilized to support student learning in osteopathic medical education. The conversation has shifted to focus on effective utilization and integration of AI in osteopathic medical education. Current evidence demonstrates strong potential for supporting student learning, yet strategies for effective integration are lagging. While AI-assisted learning tools hold promise for future physician training, they may pose challenges to the development of foundational skills if not integrated appropriately.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) platforms are being utilized to support student learning in osteopathic medical education. The conversation has shifted to focus on effective utilization and integration of AI in osteopathic medical education. Current evidence demonstrates strong potential for...

30/08/2026

Letter to the editor: Thoracic biomechanics or autonomic modulation? Reframing the respiratory effects of osteopathic manipulative therapy - Zago et al. [1] reported immediate improvements in thoracoabdominal mobility, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, and spirometric outcomes after a standardized osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) session in healthy men. This letter responds directly to the authors’ secondary aim of interpreting these short-term effects through physiological and biomechanical mechanisms, as well as to their stated hypothesis that increasing thoracoabdominal mobility may improve respiratory muscle strength.

Zago et al. [1] reported immediate improvements in thoracoabdominal mobility, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, and spirometric outcomes after a standardized osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) session in healthy men. This letter responds directly to the authors’ secondary aim of in...

30/08/2026

Response to artificial intelligence in osteopathy education: A critical analysis of educators' and researchers' perspectives - We would like to thank the authors for their response [1] and for the important points they raise in relation to our article on osteopathy educators' and researchers’ perceptions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academia [2]. We fully agree with these observations, particularly as the issues they identify were explicitly as future directions for research within the discussion section of our original article. In particular, the need to establish ethical frameworks, provide targeted training for educators and ensure institutional support were among the key recommendations arising from the reflection on the implementation of this research project.

We would like to thank the authors for their response [1] and for the important points they raise in relation to our article on osteopathy educators' and researchers’ perceptions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academia [2]. We fully agree with these observations, particularly as the issues the...

27/08/2026

Mobilising Models in Osteopathic Care: Towards a Situated Epistemology of Clinical Practice - Contemporary osteopathic care mobilises heterogeneous forms of knowledge that remain poorly integrated within existing epistemological frameworks. Current perspectives often rely on singular explanatory models, failing to fully capture the situated mobilisation and transformation of knowledge during clinical encounters.This theoretical paper proposes a mixed epistemological framework to elucidate how scientific, pragmatic, and operational knowledge coordinate in osteopathic practice. Using therapeutic touch as an illustrative epistemic practice—rather than merely a defining feature of care—we demonstrate how perceptual, relational, embodied, and scientific knowledge integrate in action.

Contemporary osteopathic care mobilises heterogeneous forms of knowledge that remain poorly integrated within existing epistemological frameworks. Current perspectives often rely on singular explanatory models, failing to fully capture the situated mobilisation and transformation of knowledge during...

21/08/2026

Comparative efficacy of foot orthoses stabilizing methods on pain intensity, balance performance, and knee adduction moment in medial knee osteoarthritis: A randomized trial of subtalar straps vs. high-top shoes - Medial knee osteoarthritis (MKOA) is a prevalent degenerative joint condition associated with pain and altered knee joint loading. This superiority randomized trial compared the effects of a lateral wedge foot orthosis stabilized with subtalar straps (LWSS) versus one stabilized with high-top shoes (LWHTS) on pain intensity and knee adduction moment in patients with MKOA.

Medial knee osteoarthritis (MKOA) is a prevalent degenerative joint condition associated with pain and altered knee joint loading. This superiority randomized trial compared the effects of a lateral wedge foot orthosis stabilized with subtalar straps (LWSS) versus one stabilized with high-top shoes....