Osteopathic Considerations in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis - Osteopathic Pathways Towards the ANS

TIm Sparrow, Do, BSc Ost Med Classical Osteopath, John Wernham' student, will offer you this very original course about MS and osteopathic management based on scientific evidences. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a serious burden in Nova Scotia and you will learn hown osteopathy can help patients suffering from this auto-immune disease.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this course is to provide the foundation knowledge towards the students understanding of formulating an “integrative multi systems osteopathic treatment  approach” of MS.  Drawing upon an existing  case study (long term Relapsing - Remitting MS),  the course addresses the significance of  autonomic (ANS) control , regulation and function of many systems within the body and how that relates to the typical presenting symptoms of MS , involving the GIT, GU , Respiratory , motor , visual and balance disturbance , stress ,fatigue, influence on allostatic load , cognitive and emotional wellbeing of the patient.

In addition adjunctive approaches towards patient motivated, device assisted, neuromuscular re-(h)abilitation and motoric and cognitive exercise are also included for consideration .

The course will include an ongoing review of current MS - related  neuro-scientific and osteopathic  evidence  based  research articles throughout each module.

The evaluation of treatment through existing and developing treatment outcome measures and tools, being also reviewed.

Reference to the details of the case study are then further developed upon more comprehensively within an on location clinical workshop  where the history , timeline and neuro/ patho-physiology of this disease and the significance of ANS involvement are considered.

From this, a protocol for an integrated multi- systems treatment approach is demonstrated and applied in a technique class: Treatment of multiple sclerosis - ANS and multi-system osteopathic approaches.

Course is for graduated osteopaths and last year students

TOTAL CEUs EARNED at the end of the course: 21h

Note: language will be English with French translation if needed.

SKILLS THAT WILL BE ACQUIRED

At the end of this course students will have an in depth knowledge of the classification, underlying epidemiology, pathology and pathophysiological associated with Multiple Sclerosis.

The student will have an in-depth knowledge of the multi-systems involved in association with the symptoms of MS.

The student will become proficient in the development and rational formulation of a treatment regime both system and symptom based towards MS, encompassing the holistic osteopathic concept of body unity  with the understanding of the multi-systems  involvement of this category of neurodegenerative disease.

The student will be able to draw upon the case study for direction in the understanding of the underlying autonomic NS parameters associated with MS.

The student will be able to complement their developing knowledge of MS and its management in accordance with comparative treatment programs, namely that which focuses  upon developing a wellness program for people with MS - a  multidisciplinary patient centered approach.

Through a comprehensive review of neurological, neurological and physiological systems the student will have a deeper understanding of the presenting case study and be able to familiarize themselves with addressing the scientific outcome measures used to evaluate the nature of the treatment, including rehabilitation and “self-developed “ -motivational /ability based exercise , including those formulated by the “Multiple Sclerosis Outcome Measure Taskforce”.

The student will also develop an understanding in the application of wearable sensor based movement analysis, electrophysiological and imaging techniques, HRV analysis , QEEG , and the use of IOT cloud data as an potential adjunct to existing outcome measurements and instrumentation used within a clinical setting.

COURSE PROGRAM – (3 days – total  24 hours)

Day 1 AM - Total hours 4

MS, Pathophysiology and Classifications and typical associated symptoms, neuroscientific considerations relating to neurodegenerative disease .

Review of the presenting case study: Medical History, time line of development, diagnosis category (long term Relapsing - Remitting MS) . Clinical diagnostic evaluation, relevant medical treatment interventions, symptom onset and development.

Initial thoughts as to osteopathic management - systems involvement, GU, GIT, Visual, Motor and Neuromuscular, Stress and Fatigue (allostatic load ), immunity ... osteopathic principles .

Day 1 PM -Total hours 4

Introduction/ review of more specific function of ANS relating to case study:

Review of organization of CNS and ANS. Sensory autonomic components: viscera sensory, somatosensory, special sensory, primary afferent and enteric (mediation of splanchnic reflexes) and associated receptor types and visceral sensory nuclei and sensory pathways.

Short review of Organization of ANS - Sympathetic - Parasympathetic divisions and ganglia /plexus

Autonomic integration and mediation. How this relates to visceral, vagal (enteric and other systems) and associated pathophysiology associated with the case study.

Overview of Autonomic Motor nerves to Viscera - (inc. Specific to GIT and GU system -renal/bladder function),

Practical: Examples of potential “landmarks and pathways” and techniques through which we can “interface” with the ANS function (integration and mediation) within osteopathic treatment, relating to the case study : GIT ( Enteric ,Vagal ,Mesenteric/ Splanchnic functional considerations ) and GU relative to Renal /Bladder ANS function (neurogenic bladder).

Day 2 AM  -Total hours 4

Continued osteopathic considerations towards osteopathic treatment pathways relating to the above with additional attention to Respiratory, CVs, Lymphatic and general circulation considerations.

Practical application.

Day 2 PM  -Total hours 4

Continued osteopathic considerations towards osteopathic treatment pathways ..... as above with additional attention to immunity and GIT function, stress fatigue and allostatic load , inc. hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal axis .

Practical application.

Day 3 AM-Total hours 4

Motor and neuromuscular re(H) habilitation considerations - self-motivated device assisted exercise, cognitive exercise (EEG) ,neuroplasticity .

Practical application.

Day 3 PM-Total hours 4

Considerations for existing and developing treatment outcome measure(s) - inc. GIT function, motor /movement, HRV, EEG cognitive analysis.

Practical application.

Summary of course - scope for further research / study.

SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT

Participants will need to wear clean, comfortable, loose clothing that permits easy movement and access to the skin.  Participants should also bring a towel or table covering for personal hygiene purposes.  Computer projection, tables, chairs, and a dry-erase board will also be needed.

LEARNING METHODS

The education is provided using multiple mode methods including visual, oral, and manual (tactile) modalities.  Demonstration and hands-on practice with guidance is used.  Question and answer with repetition of important concepts is also used.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE COURSE

This course is designed for the Osteopathic manual practitioner / educator / clinical faculty, as well as students of Osteopathy in clinical training.