Effects of Abdominal Shape on Abdominal 'Slosh' during Pedal Pump Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment

摘要

The Pedal Lymphatic Pump (PLP) is an osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) technique traditionally used to enhance lymphatic flow and increase immune function. The operator stands at the feet of the supine patient, dorsi-flexes them to a fascial barrier and applies a pan-corporeal rhythmic impulse force from their metatarsal region. The oscillatory motion transmitted through the fasciae and other body tissues usually creates a visible abdominal motion described as an "abdominal slosh". The abdominal slosh varies in its style of motion. It can appear as a wave-like motion, similar to a sine wave; a more slapping motion, similar to a wave striking the edge of a pool; or a combination of the two. While anecdotal recommendations exist, few studies have examined host factors influencing technique performance; posing the question, "does body morphology affect PLP performance?"