Somatic dysfunction
- DOI:
- 10.1093/med/9780199674107.003.0010
The palpable characteristics of somatic dysfunction include tenderness, restricted motion, asymmetry and tissue texture change. These may be caused by structural or architectural changes (often associated with a loss of range of motion) or by functional aberrations in various somatic tissues associated with recognized physiological and pathophysiological processes. Myofascial trigger points, facet syndromes, and somatovisceral reflex phenomena are all examples of somatic dysfunction discussed in this chapter. However, these specific conditions are not discussed in diagnostic isolation. Instead, a broad conceptual understanding of somatic dysfunction is presented to expand diagnostic and therapeutic options, integrating otherwise disparate approaches to patient complaints. Certain generalizations apply to somatic dysfunction, its diagnosis, and its treatment. This chapter addresses the most important of these generalizations.
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