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Lymphatic Pump OMT Releases Cytokines Into Central Circulation

  • Michael A. Seffinger and Jessica Rich
Published/Copyright: July 1, 2014
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Journal of Osteopathic Medicine
From the journal Journal of Osteopathic Medicine Volume 114 Issue 7

Schander A, Padro D, King HH, Downey HF, Hodge LM. Lymphatic pump treatment repeatedly enhances the lymphatic and immune systems. Lymphat Res Biol.2013;11(4):219-226. doi:10.1089/lrb.2012.0021.

Researchers at the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine have been investigating lymph flow related to osteopathic manipulative treatment in animal models for several years.1-4 In a recent study, approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, these researchers studied the effects of repeated lymphatic pump technique (LPT) treatments on the lymphatic and immune systems of 5 healthy, adult mongrel dogs.

For the study protocol, the dogs were anesthetized and intubated. A catheter was inserted into the thoracic duct to monitor thoracic duct lymph flow and leukocyte flux during abdominal LPT administration. A trained osteopathic medical student performed LPT by placing the dog in the right lateral recumbent position and applying a medial and cranial compression to the ventral abdomen just above the costodiaphragmatic junction. Abdomen compression was applied until substantial resistance against the diaphragm was perceived, at which time the pressure was released. Thoracic duct lymph samples were collected 4 minutes before initiation of LPT treatment, during the 4-minute LPT session, and 10 and 86 minutes after cessation of LPT treatment. Two hours after the first LPT session, the protocol was repeated. Investigators measured, analyzed, and compared thoracic duct lymph flow, thoracic duct lymph leukocyte concentrations, lymphatic flux of leukocytes, and immune mediators during the initial and repeated LPT protocols.

Repeated LPT treatment was found to mobilize leukocytes and other immune factors from an abdominal reservoir sensitive to the LPT. The initial 4-minute LPT treatment session depleted the reservoir; however, the lymph was replenished 2 hours after treatment. The second LPT session effectively remobilized the lymph, releasing an increased amount of leukocytes into circulation. The thoracic duct lymph flux of superoxide dismutase, an antioxidant enzyme, and nitrite, a precursor to the vasodilator nitric oxide, were both increased by the first and second LPT sessions. The thoracic duct lymph flux of cytokine and chemokine release was quantified by measuring interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and keratinocyte chemoattractant. All 3 acute inflammatory mediators were increased by the first and second LPT sessions. The increase in flux of these leukocytes and immune factors from thoracic duct lymph increased their mobilization into central lymphatic circulation.

The authors of the study provide a scientific foundation for the use of repeated LPT treatment to enhance healthy lymphatic and immune systems. In addition, the findings of this study provide a lucrative in vivo model for future studies of lymph flow on disease processes. This study encourages a more aggressive and consistent approach to the management of infection and edema using LPT treatment.

References

1 Schander A Downey HF Hodge LM . Lymphatic pump manipulation mobilizes inflammatory mediators into lymphatic circulation[published online December 14, 2011]. Exp Biol Med.2012;237(1):58-63.10.1258/ebm.2011.011220Search in Google Scholar PubMed

2 Hodge LM . Osteopathic lymphatic pump techniques to enhance immunity and treat pneumonia. Int J Osteopath Med.2012;15(1):13-21.10.1016/j.ijosm.2011.11.004Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

3 Hodge LM Bearden MK Schander A et al. . Abdominal lymphatic pump treatment mobilizes leukocytes from the gut associated lymphoid tissue into lymph. Lymphat Res Biol.2010;8(2):103-110. doi:10.1089/lrb.2009.0011.10.1089/lrb.2009.0011Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

4 Huff JB Schander A Downey HF Hodge LM . Lymphatic pump treatment augments lymphatic flux of lymphocytes in rats. Lymphat Res Biol.2010;8(4):183-187. doi:10.1089/lrb.2010.0009.10.1089/lrb.2010.0009Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Published Online: 2014-07-01
Published in Print: 2014-07-01

© 2014 The American Osteopathic Association

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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  4. Effect of the Single Accreditation System
  5. Letters
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  29. Chiropractic Treatment of Pregnant Patients Supports Reduction in Low Back Pain
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  31. Headaches Are a Pain in the Neck
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https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2014.114
Creative Commons
BY-NC-ND 4.0

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Health Policy
  2. Impact of the Single Accreditation Agreement on GME Governance and the Physician Workforce
  3. In My View
  4. Effect of the Single Accreditation System
  5. Letters
  6. The OSTEOPATHIC Trial Demonstrates Significant Improvement in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain as Manifested by Decreased Prescription Rescue Medication Use
  7. Response: Observational Study Demonstrates That OMT Is Associated With Reduced Analgesic Prescribing and Fewer Missed Work Days
  8. A Case of Seasonal Recurrent Myopericarditis? Tough to Say!
  9. Response
  10. AOA Communication
  11. Official Call (Reprint)
  12. Proposed Amendments to the AOA Constitution, Bylaws, and Code of Ethics (Reprint)
  13. Original Contribution
  14. Association Between Cervical and Thoracic Somatic Dysfunction Among Second-Year Osteopathic Medical Students
  15. Brief Report
  16. Mountaineering-Induced Bilateral Plantar Paresthesia
  17. Clinical Practice
  18. Management of Ionizing Radiation Injuries and Illnesses, Part 3: Radiobiology and Health Effects of Ionizing Radiation
  19. Review
  20. Primary Care Evaluation and Treatment of Men With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
  21. Medical Education
  22. Perception-Based Effects of Clinical Exposure to Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on First- and Second-Year Osteopathic Medical Students
  23. Case Report
  24. Osteopathic Musculoskeletal Examination and Subarachnoid Anesthetic Administration in a Patient With Severe Scoliosis
  25. The Somatic Connection
  26. Myofascial Release Increases Effectiveness in Management of Chronic Low Back Pain
  27. Lymphatic Pump OMT Releases Cytokines Into Central Circulation
  28. Patients With Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Verified Lumbar Disk Herniations Benefit From Chiropractic High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude Spinal Manipulative Therapy
  29. Chiropractic Treatment of Pregnant Patients Supports Reduction in Low Back Pain
  30. Short-Term Effects of a Manual Therapy Protocol on Pain and Functioning in Patients With Fibromyalgia
  31. Headaches Are a Pain in the Neck
  32. Clinical Images
  33. Leser-Trélat Sign
  34. Book Reviews
  35. Osteopathic Tales
  36. The Abraham Man: Madness, Malingering, and the Development of Medical Testimony
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