Upper Resp PDF Flashcards
functional symptoms and pain complaints referable to the upper respiratory tract could come wholly from
somatic dysfunction of the upper thoracic, cervical, and cranial regions
When treating upper resp infections, OMT is employed to
eliminate somatovisceraly activity, thereby modulating the patient’s physiology, which enhances recuperation and augments the efficacy of other required therapies.
upper respiratory tract lining
ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium
interspersed with goblet cells, nonciliated columnar cells withmicrovillae, and basal cells.
Beneath the epithelium lie groups of serous and mucous glands.
Secretions do what?
keep the epithelial surface from desiccating, humidify inspired air, and function as a first line of defense against infections.
Outer mucous layer, inner serous layer.
Mechanical dysfunction of the cranial base can result in
cranial nerve entrapment. –> functional alteration of the facial and vagus nerves –> affect upper respiratory tract through altered parasympathetic and pharyngeal motor activity.
lymphatics from nose, sinuses, and pharynx drain
predominantly to the submandibular and retropharyngeal nodes, through the deep cervical lymphatic vessels, to return to venous circulation.
drainage of lymph from the upper respiratory tract may be encumbered by
tension from somatic dysfunction within the precervical muscles and fascia.
can also be impaired when respiratory excursion is reduced by somatic dysfunction affecting the thoracic inlet, thoracic spine, ribs or thoracoabdominal diaphragm.
upper thoracic, upper rib, and clavicular dysfunctions can compromise lymphatic return through the thoracic inlet.
degree of intrathoracic pressure gradient may also be affected by
increased cervical lordosis as the result of upper thoracic flexion, or occipitocervical extension.
increased cervical lordosis places traction upon the soft tissues of the anterior neck. –> shift from nasal to mouth breathing –> neg affect on respiratory tract as well as total physiology.
mouth breathing –>
decrased thoracic cage movement, with resultant decreased vital capacity, hypoventilation, decreased pulmonary circulation, and a tendency toward the devlopment of respiratory acidosis.
sympathetics of upper resp
comes from the upper five (mostly upper 3) segments of the thoracic spinal cord.
Preganglionic fibers synapse in the superior cervical ganglion.
Postganglionic fibers form the carotid plexus.
–> follow the vascular supply or traveerse the pterygopalatine ganglion
trigeminal nerve
serves as the sensory innervatin of the upper respiratory tract
also carries sympathetic and parasympathetic postganglionic fibers to the upper respiratory tract
Stimulation in association with cervical and thoracic OMT –> reduced nasal congestion and increased secretions
Proposed sequence for the diagnosis of somatic dysfunction and the use of OMT when treating a patient with an upper respiratory infection
Patient seated, diagnose and treat:
- Upper thoracic dysfunction
- Upper rib dysfunction
- Clavicular dysfunction
Patient supine, diagnose adn treat:
- Cranial dysfunction
- Cervical dysfunction
Use these procedures:
- Suboccipital myofascial release
- Trigeminal nerve procedures
- Anterior neck soft tissue procedures
- Thoracic lymphatic pump