Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment of Chronic Pain and Emotional Trauma

Depression and anxiety symptoms have a profound impact on a person’s life, affecting their emotional well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life long-term. This case study presents a patient who suffered from persistent neck pain, depression, and anxiety for 9 months following a traumatic motor vehicle accident that resulted in a C2 dens fracture as well as the death of her son. The patient began receiving osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), which resulted in sustained improvement in both her physical and mental symptoms. The OMT techniques utilized included suboccipital inhibition, osteopathy in the cranial field, and balanced ligamentous tension. The patient demonstrated significant improvements in neck pain, mood, and anxiety levels with OMT. This case highlights the potential benefits of incorporating OMT into treatment plans, as it can provide an effective modality for alleviating a wide range of physical and mental symptoms associated with depression and anxiety.