Successful treatment of refractory functional dyspepsia with osteopathic manipulative treatment

Abstract

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) describe patients who present with symptoms that arise from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract yet have failed to be explained by a standard GI work-up. Somatic findings at midthoracic levels correspond to localized visceral dysfunction such as decreased peristalsis and vasoconstriction. The somatovisceral concept suggests that osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) provides relief by normalizing the autonomic tone. There are few reports in the literature that provide examples of successful treatment of FGID by OMT. This case describes a patient with postprandial nausea and vomiting who was successfully treated with OMT.