The effect of soft tissue treatment on the blood perfusion of the lower limbs

Item

Title
The effect of soft tissue treatment on the blood perfusion of the lower limbs
Author(s)
Cook Susan
Abstract
Research has shown that an adequate blood supply to body tissues is essential for tissue health. One of the therapeutic aims of an osteopath is therefore to promote adequate blood flow to and from anatomical regions. Soft tissue techniques are often employed for this purpose, although studies to date have been contradictory and provide insufficient evidence to definitively determine the effect of soft tissue on peripheral blood flow.
The aim of this study was to investigate what affect the application of soft tissue techniques to a lower limb might have on the cutaneous blood flow to both that limb and the contralateral limb. Fifteen asymptomatic male subjects, aged between 20 and 35 years, were recruited from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine for this purpose. Cutaneous blood flow, as measured by Laser Doppler Flowmetry, was recorded before and after the application of ten-minutes of soft tissue treatment (comprising four minutes of effleurage, followed by three minutes of pétrissage, followed by three minutes of tapôtement). Pre and post intervention results were compared and subjected to statistical analysis.
A significant decrease (p<0.05) in cutaneous blood flow, post soft tissue treatment, was recorded distal to the area to which soft tissue treatment was applied. This decrease corresponded to a mean percentage change of -18%. A significant decrease (p<0.05) in cutaneous blood flow was also recorded at the same location on the contralateral untreated leg, again corresponding to a mean percentage change of -18%. The decrease in cutaneous blood flow to both lower limbs was accompanied by a small decrease in skin temperature of 1%.
Proximal to the area to which soft tissue treatment was applied, changes in cutaneous blood flow to the ipsilateral lower limb were shown to be insignificant (p>0.05), although a mean percentage change of +5% was recorded. A significant increase (p<0.05) in skin temperature was also seen at this location.
Measurements conducted on only four subjects indicated that soft tissue treatment may have a long-term or delayed effect on cutaneous blood flow, however further research is required to verify this effect.
It is concluded that there is a measurable effect on cutaneous blood flow to the ipsilateral lower limb, following the application of soft tissue techniques. This knowledge provides evidence for the osteopathic use of such techniques to affect blood circulation and assist tissue healing. It is also concluded that there is a similar measurable effect on cutaneous blood flow to the contralateral untreated lower limb, subsequent to the application of soft tissue techniques to the ipsilateral limb. The knowledge of such an effect provides evidence for the osteopathic use of soft tissue techniques to affect circulation to the other lower limb and hence assist in the healing of tissues that are too sensitive for the application of direct treatment.
presented at
British College of Osteopathic Medicine
Date Accepted
0
Date Submitted
1.1.1970 00:00:00
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
13625
Inst-Identifier
1076
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

Cook Susan, “The effect of soft tissue treatment on the blood perfusion of the lower limbs”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/1132