Cellular mechanotransduction: Could this be responsible for the therapeutic results achieved with osteopathy in the cranial field?

Item

Title
Cellular mechanotransduction: Could this be responsible for the therapeutic results achieved with osteopathy in the cranial field?
Author(s)
Cameron, M
Abstract
To review the scientific literature: (1) Pertaining to cellular mechanotransduction. (2) To promote an understanding of the mechanotransduction mechanism. (3) Mechanotransduction's relevance to function and homeostasis in the human body. (4) Investigate the possible links between mechanotransduction and reported therapeutic effects of osteopathy in the cranial field. Background: The advancement in cellular research over the last 3 decades has provided exciting opportunities to attempt to explain how the living organism functions, regenerates and thrives, something that appears to have intrigued man throughout the ages. The relevance of these advancements could have huge relevance for the osteopathic profession, whose philosophy embraces underpinning concepts such as the inherent self healing mechanism and the structure of the body governs it's function. Moreover an understanding and appreciation of the intricacies of cellular function can explain the pathophysiological states that osteopathic clinicians encounter every day of their working lives, and give firm foundation to rationalize treatment. Methods.. A search strategy was initiated on electronic databases Swetwise (with all University of Greenwich publications included), CINAHL (with health sciences research databases selected) and OSTMED.DR (osteopathic medical digital repository), as well as hand search of European School of Osteopathy library (Maidstone, England) using their Alice search engine. Both MeSH search terms (Cytoskeleton; Extracellular Matrix; Homeostasis; Integrins; Manual Therapy; Mechanotransduction, Cellular; Topography, Medical; Wound Healing) and non- Mesh terms (Biotensegrity; Physical Therapy; Cranial Manipulation; Cranial Osteopath; Osteopath [truncation of this term was used]; Osteopath [truncation of this term was used] Manipulative Treatment; Osteopathy in the Cranial Field; Tensegrity; Self-Healing Mechanism) were used in the search strategy. All relevant combinations of the MeSH and non-MeSH terms were used in association with Boolean logic. All abstracts and literature found using these search terms were examined for suitability for the review with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria for articles and literature for consideration in this review are: (I) Literature to be published in English language. (2) Primary literature articles criteria; published between 1980-2011 in peer review journals. (3) Secondary literature criteria; published between 1999-2011 and written by an eminent researcher in the field who has published numerous articles in relevant peer review journals. (4) However the above two criteria does not apply to the use of osteopathic texts, as osteopathic literature will be used for the purpose of put the research in context with osteopathy and osteopathic perspectives. The exclusion criteria used are: (I) Literature does not flt either of criteria of the inclusion criteria. (2) The articles/ literature has no relevance to the aims of this review. References found within the obtained papers or books which met the above criteria, were also used to obtain further relevant papers or sources of literature. Limitations of the Study: Not all the articles of relevance to the review were obtainable through the European School of Osteopathy. The author did not have the level of expertise to critique in depth certain content pertaining to nanotechnology, and bioengineering research. The subject chosen was vast, thus it was a necessity to summarize certain aspects of this review, that may have benefited from more explanation. This was done in order to comply with the word count criteria in accordance with the dissertation guidelines within the European School of Osteopathy. Findings and Conclusion: (1) Lee's hypothesis, and Hamm's hypothesis of a physiological model for OCF require research into their validity. (2) These hypotheses both seem to be compatible theories for OCF link with cellular mechanotranduction. (3) It has been accepted that mechanotransduction, is the process of converting a mechanical force into a biochemical signal. (4) This occurs within a tissue matrix which interconnects its components; the nucleus, CSK and the ECM, and a host of specific controlled biochemical processes are involved. (5) The biotensegrity theory is the unifying concept that underpins that of cellular mechanotransduction. (6) It seems that the whole process of homeostasis is ultimately under the influence of this mechano'-chemical mechanism. (7) Many aspects of osteopathic principles including OCF can be appreciated in connection with cellular mechanotransduction, such as the self healing mechanism of the body, and the principle of structure and function being reciprocally interrelated, however the process at present cannot be directly attributed to any clinical results which may be reported with OCF. (8) Further research is needed to validate OCF and its clinical efficacy. (9) Both Lee's hypothesis and Hamm's hypothesis offer theoretical insight in line with current biochemical advances, and embrace the essence of OCF, acknowledging the values and underpinning theories of the founder of OCF Sutherland, whilst attempting to advance theories using current biochemical thinking, while at the same time highlighting the potential of transduction of biomechanical force into biochemical change. (10) Ingeneral appropriate research is needed in line with current biochemical /biophysical investigations, with more rigorous and robust experimental designs to explore the phenomena of OCF and the reported clinical findings in order to advance the practice in a more scientific way, this may or may not be achieved with collaboration from other scientific disciplines along with the appropriate level of funding by way of corporate investment.
presented at
European School of Osteopathy
Date Accepted
2012
Date Submitted
22.1.2013 16:23:35
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
15210
Inst-Identifier
1229
Keywords
Cranial field,
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

Cameron, M, “Cellular mechanotransduction: Could this be responsible for the therapeutic results achieved with osteopathy in the cranial field?”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2024, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/855