Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in Tarsal Somatic Dysfunction: A Case Study
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Dale E. Alsager
To the Editor:
Thank you to Joshua Batt, DO, and Michael M. Neeki, DO, MS, for their excellent case report on osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for a patient with tarsal somatic dysfunction.1 This very useful and effective technique is easy to learn, is effective, and can provide instant relief to patients who have pain as a result of this common foot disorder.
Some may know this technique as the “Hiss whip technique.” I am sure there was no disrespect intended by Drs Batt and Neeki, but I think it is appropriate to acknowledge the historical contributions of those who developed and invented such OMT techniques. Although the authors did refer to the Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine textbook,2 they did not reference John Martin Hiss, DO, who was the originator of the Hiss whip technique. The Hiss whip technique was mentioned in the first edition of the Foundations textbook in figure 52.40, but Dr Hiss is not mentioned in the reference section.3 It appears that Dr Hiss's contribution to osteopathic medicine would have been lost completely were it not for the outstanding osteopathic historian Georgia Warner Walter. In her book The First School of Osteopathic Medicine, Ms Walter gives reference to Dr Hiss and eloquently describes him and H.R. Bynum, DO, presenting “demonstrations each day on establishing a foot practice” and conducting “a special course of foot technic following the close of the [American School of Osteopathy] convention” in 1911.4(p174)
Thank you for publishing this useful article. It is wonderful to have these young authors revitalize the original contributions of Dr Hiss to the colorful history of the osteopathic medical profession.
References
1 Batt J Neeki MM . Osteopathic manipulative treatment in tarsal somatic dysfunction: a case study. J Am Osteopath Assoc.2013;113(11):857-861.10.7556/jaoa.2013.062Search in Google Scholar PubMed
2 Kuchera ML . Lower extremity. In: ChilaAG, executive ed. Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine. 3rd ed.Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2011:602-639.Search in Google Scholar
3 Kappler RE Johns HM III . High-velocity low-amplitude thrust techniques. In: WardRC, executive editor. Foundations for Osteopathic Medicine. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins; 1997.Search in Google Scholar
4 Walter GW . The First School of Osteopathic Medicine. Kirskville, MO: The Thomas Jefferson University Press; 1992.Search in Google Scholar
© 2014 The American Osteopathic Association
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Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- Is the Osteopathic Medical Profession Prepared for a Radiologic or Nuclear Incident?
- Letters
- Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in Tarsal Somatic Dysfunction: A Case Study
- AOA Communication
- JAOA Peer Reviewers, 2013
- Original Contribution
- Preliminary Findings on the Use of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: Outcomes During the Formation of the Practice-Based Research Network, DO-Touch.NET
- Vestibular Dysfunction in Patients With Chronic Pain or Underlying Neurologic Disorders
- Brief Report
- Qualitative Evaluation of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy in a Patient With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Brief Report
- Clinical Practice
- Management of Ionizing Radiation Injuries and Illnesses, Part 1: Physics, Radiation Protection, and Radiation Instrumentation
- Special Communication
- The “Doctor of Osteopathy”: Expanding the Scope of Practice
- Case Report
- Digoxin as a Treatment for Patients With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
- Clinical Images
- Longus Colli Tendinitis
- In Your Words
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Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- Is the Osteopathic Medical Profession Prepared for a Radiologic or Nuclear Incident?
- Letters
- Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in Tarsal Somatic Dysfunction: A Case Study
- AOA Communication
- JAOA Peer Reviewers, 2013
- Original Contribution
- Preliminary Findings on the Use of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: Outcomes During the Formation of the Practice-Based Research Network, DO-Touch.NET
- Vestibular Dysfunction in Patients With Chronic Pain or Underlying Neurologic Disorders
- Brief Report
- Qualitative Evaluation of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy in a Patient With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Brief Report
- Clinical Practice
- Management of Ionizing Radiation Injuries and Illnesses, Part 1: Physics, Radiation Protection, and Radiation Instrumentation
- Special Communication
- The “Doctor of Osteopathy”: Expanding the Scope of Practice
- Case Report
- Digoxin as a Treatment for Patients With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
- Clinical Images
- Longus Colli Tendinitis
- In Your Words
- A Different View of the Middle East
