ABSTRACT

A simple treatment plan for manual therapists is presented based on current evidence-based literature, it is designed to lessen chronic pain and inflammation in the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). A chronic continuous or intermittent gastrointestinal tract dysfunction, IBS appears due to dysregulation of brain-gut-microbe communication. An overview of its management using Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is described. In IBS OMT focuses on the nervous and circulatory systems, spine, viscera, thoracic and pelvic diaphragms in order to restore homeostatic balance, normalize autonomic activity in the intestine, promote lymphatic flow and address somatic dysfunction. Lymphatic and venous congestion is treated by the Lymphatic Pump Techniques and stimulation of Chapman’s Reflex Points. The food itself, food allergies and intolerance could contribute to symptom onset or even cause IBS. Furthermore the “microbiota” greatly impacts on the bi-directional braingut axis communication. This paper also provides appropriate dietary modifications for patients with IBS.

1. INTRODUCTION

The present paper defines a simple treatment plan for manual therapists, which is designed to reduce chronic pain and inflammation in the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). We provide an overview of its management using Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), dietary modification and nutritional supplementation, according to the current evidence-based literature.

A chronic continuous or intermittent gastrointestinal tract (GIT) dysfunction, IBS was defined by Rome Committee III on the basis of abdominal discomfort or pain (Table 1) [1]. IBS is found in twice as many females as males in 10% - 15% of the population, affecting all adult age groups up to 50 [2]. Although its etiology and pathophysiology remain uncertain, IBS appears due to “brain-gut axis” dysregulation. The central nervous system communicates with the gut by mediating the sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic nervous systems (SANS and PANS) which control enteric nervous system (ENS) function. Alterations in SANS, PANS and ENS were described in IBS patients [3,4]. Compared with normal subjects, they have an increased vagal response to rectal distension, decreased vagal response to sigmoid distension, a blunted adrenocorticotropic hormone response and lower plasma cortisol levels, suggesting abnormalities in the central control mechanisms that are involved in autonomic and neuroendocrinal response to visceral stimulation [5]. Central mechanisms include anxiety, depression and somatisation; peripheral dysfunction is characterized by gut motility and secretion changes and visceral hypersensitivity [6,7]. IBS is associated with structural changes in grey matter density involving key areas in attention, emotion regulation, pain inhibition and visceral information processing [8]. Proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8,

mast cells and pro-inflammatory polyunsatured fatty acid metabolites were increased [9-11]. Other potential causes of IBS are diet and enteric flora abnormalities leading to low-grade inflammation/immune activation [12].

Symptoms are diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), constipation-predominant (IBS-C), or alternating diarrhea and constipation (IBS-DC) [13]. Other symptoms are bloating, early satiety, nausea, heartburn, feeling of incomplete emptying on defecation, borborygmi and flatulence. Migraine, back pain, dyspareunia and muscle pain indicate a central hyperalgesic mechanism [14]. Abdominal pain (Figure 1) is associated with significant morbidity, including depression, poor quality of life, and even inability to work. Patients with IBS were more likely than non-IBS sufferers to complain of problems relating to diet and eating out, concentration, long journeys, physical appearance and personal relationships. They had more sick days off work with considerable social and economic costs [15].

2. OMT

Over a century ago Andrew Taylor Still devised a system of disease prevention and treatment through mechanical manipulation known as OMT. He identified the musculoskeletal system as a key to health, hypothesizing that every illness was the result of an anatomical disorder associated with physiological discord, termed “Somatic Dysfunction” (SD). SD is “impaired or altered function of related components of the somatic framework; skeletal, arthroidal, myofascial and related vascular, lymphatic and neural elements” [16]. It contributes to the effect of organic pathology and is catalogued as a disease of musculoskeletal system (ICD-9, code 739). Primary SD is completely reversible when correctly diagnosed and treated with OMT. Secondary SD also responds to OMT but will recur unless the primary pathology is identified and treated [17]. SD is diagnosed by palpation procedures (“A.R.T.T.” examination) [18] (Figure 2).

OMT consists of a range of direct, indirect, combined, fluid and reflex-based manual techniques (Figure 3) that are applied specifically to a joint or non-specifically to a body area [19]. Direct techniques apply thrust, impulse, muscle contraction, fascial loading, or passive range of motion. They engage the restrictive barrier and use an activating force to achieve the tissue response and correct the SD. Indirect, fluid, balancing, or reflex-based techniques do not engage the restrictive barrier. They use fascial massage, fascial and soft tissue loading or unloading, hydraulic pressures, respiration phases and cranial or postural adjustments [20].

OMT for IBS

In IBS OMT focuses on the nervous and circulatory

systems, spine, viscera, thoracic and pelvic diaphragms in order to restore homeostatic balance, normalize autonomic activity in the intestine, promote lymphatic flow and address SD. The first step assesses the pattern of signs and symptoms. Safety is paramount. If alarm signals, or “Red Flags” [21,22], are present the patient should be referred to a physician (Table 2).

Sagittal Plane Symmetry and the Common Compensatory Pattern (CCP) are observed in the postural examination [23,24]. The therapist then starts palpation using A.R.T.T. diagnostic criteria to search for SD. Attention focuses on sympathetic innervation from the lower thoracic to the upper lumbar spinal segments (T4-L2) via the collateral sympathetic ganglia (celiac, upper and lower mesenteric). Visceral afferent stimulation activates the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis and the autonomic nervous system, involving the release of neurotransmitters and hormones such as corticotropin-releasing factor which may play a role in modulating emotions [25]. Moving to parasympathetic innervation the therapist concentrates on the vagus nerve, which innervates the small intestine and colon up to the splenic flexure. Treatment of the upper cervical spine, cranial base and general sub-occipital area releases tension on the vagus nerve, as it passes through the jugular foramen. Assessment continues with the mid-cervicals (C3, 4, 5), where the phrenic nerve arises to supply the thoracic diaphragm (Figure 4). Pelvic and sacroiliac joints should be treated as they may affect the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2, 3, 4) which innervate the descending and sigmoid colon tracts [26,27].

In IBS, lymphatic and venous congestion should be treated by the lymphatic pump techniques (Figure 5) and stimulation of chapman’s reflex points (Figure 6). They increase lymph flow and improve blood circulation thus facilitating healing and enhancing the efficacy of any medication [28,29].

The OMT plan for IBS is shown in Figure 7.

3. NUTRITION

Hippocrates (460-357 BC) was the first to suggest that “He who does not know food, cannot understand the diseases of man”. A. T. Still believed the body made its own remedies against disease and other toxic conditions when it was structurally normal and had favorable environmental conditions and adequate nutrition. In the modern diet increased consumption of high-density, lowquality foods, particularly when rich in refined starches, sugar, and lipids and poor in natural antioxidants and fibre, promote systemic inflammation which underlies chronic pain and several degenerative diseases [30,31].

The role of diet in IBS remains to be elucidated. Food could contribute to symptom onset or even cause IBS itself [32]. IBS symptoms are often exacerbated immediately after eating because of increased intraluminal volumes or motor activity, via excessive activation of vagal mechanoand chemo-receptors [5]. Food allergy (immune-mediated) or intolerance (not immune-mediated) could play a role in IBS [33]. Food antigens may result in low-grade mucosal inflammation and immune system activation through mast cell activation and degranulation, which in turn secrete several chemical messengers (e.g. transmitters, cytokines) that mediate bowel sensor-motor dysfunction [34]. Finally, some foods may alter gut microbes or “microbiota” qualitatively, thus increasing gas production. Transit of exogenous gas loads was impaired in patients with IBS and gas retention reproduced their bloating symptoms [35]. Proliferation of certain species that produce short-chain fatty acids and deconjugate bile acids more avidly could lead to clinically significant changes in water and electrolyte transport in the colon and affect colonic motility and/or sensitivity [32].

Furthermore, the microbiota greatly impacts on the

bi-directional brain-gut axis communication [36]. Innovative research suggested microbiota affected the vagus nerve and modulated systemic levels of tryptophan, a serotonin precursor [37]. Together with the finding that dietary carbohydrates facilitated tryptophan entry into the brain, these data lead to the hypothesis that specific modulation of enteric microbiota and dietary habit is a useful strategy for GIT stress-related disorders, like IBS [36,38].

Nutrition for IBS

Due to fear of symptom exacerbation patients with Care should be exercised milk, wheat and eggs which are often reported to trigger symptoms and over salycylate or amine-rich foods as they worsen symptoms [39]. Fatty food should be avoided since lipids strongly stimulate motor and sensory responses which are often increased in IBS patients [40]. Patients, particularly those with IBS-D, should be particularly careful with carbohydrates like lactose, fructose and sorbitol as they are malabsorbed.

Fibre supplements should be introduced into the diet very gradually so as to minimize bloating, particularly in patients with IBS-C [39]. Patients should receive more soluble than insoluble fibre [41].

Probiotic supplements aid intestinal pain management by increasing mucosal anti-inflammatory cytokines while reducing the pro-inflammatory, thus enhancing the mucosal barrier function [42-45].

A carbohydrate-rich, protein-poor meal increased brain concentration of tryptophan, and increased serotonin synthesis [46,47]. Given the importance of serotonin as a neurotransmitter in the ENS, one might speculate that a carbohydrate-rich diet might improve mood, alleviating anxiety, depression and somatisation.

Table 3 summarizes an appropriate nutritional approach for IBS patients.