Osteopathy and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A Review of Mechanisms, Evidence, and Limitations

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Osteopathy, a manual therapy focused on structural and neurovegetative balance, proposes interventions to modulate these symptoms. However, its efficacy remains controversial due to a lack of robust studies. This article analyzes the theoretical mechanisms, clinical data, and limitations of osteopathic treatment for IBS.

1. Introduction

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 10–15% of the global population, with a higher prevalence in women. Its etiology is multifactorial:

• Gut dysbiosis

• Visceral hypersensitivity

• Gut-brain axis dysregulation

• Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction

Osteopathy hypothesizes that somatic dysfunctions (musculoskeletal or fascial restrictions) may influence IBS through:

• Neurovegetative disturbances (sympathetic hyperactivity)

• Impaired visceral mobility (liver, colon, diaphragm)

• Vascular or nerve compression

However, scientific evidence supporting these claims remains insufficient.

2. Theoretical Mechanisms of Osteopathy in IBS

2.1. Autonomic Nervous System Modulation

• Theory: Spinal manipulations (particularly thoracic T5–T10) may influence sympathetic innervation of the digestive tract.

• Limitations:

  • No study has demonstrated a lasting effect on vagal or sympathetic tone.

  • Sympathetic ganglia are anatomically inaccessible to manual therapy (retroperitoneal position).

2.2. Improvement of Visceral Mobility

• Theory: Visceral techniques (liver, sigmoid colon manipulations) may reduce adhesions and enhance peristalsis.

• Limitations:

  • No imaging evidence confirms these supposed "restrictions."

  • Peristalsis is primarily governed by the enteric nervous system, not external mechanical factors.

2.3. Diaphragmatic and Respiratory Effects

• Theory: A "restricted" diaphragm may alter intra-abdominal pressure and transit.

• Contradictory Data:

  • One study (Müller et al., 2018) reported reduced bloating after diaphragmatic treatment.

  • No clear anatomical correlation explains this mechanism.

3. Review of Clinical Evidence

3.1. Supportive Studies (Limited)

• Florance et al. (2021): RCT on 60 patients.

  • Result: 30% reduction in pain after 4 visceral osteopathy sessions.

  • Bias: Untreated control group (no placebo).

• Hundscheid et al. (2017):

  • Result: Improved bowel movements in 50% of constipated patients.

  • Limitation: Effect comparable to probiotics (non-specific).

3.2. Negative or Neutral Studies

• Cochrane Review (2023):

  • Conclusion: "Insufficient evidence to recommend osteopathy for IBS."

• Attanasio et al. (2022):

  • No superiority over sham treatment.

3.3. Placebo Effect and Methodological Biases

• Symptom subjectivity: IBS is highly placebo-responsive, making self-reports unreliable.

• Lack of standardization: Osteopathic protocols vary widely among practitioners.

4. Risks and Evidence-Based Alternatives

4.1. Potential Risks

• Inappropriate abdominal manipulations: May worsen pain (especially in diarrhea-predominant IBS).

• Delayed diagnosis: Organic pathologies (celiac disease, IBD) must first be ruled out.

4.2. Evidence-Based Approaches

✅ Low-FODMAP diet (effective in 70% of patients)
✅ Probiotics (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus strains)
✅ Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
✅ Medications: Antispasmodics (phloroglucinol), 5-HT3 agonists (alosetron).

5. Conclusion

Osteopathy may provide subjective relief for some IBS patients, likely through neuropsychological effects (relaxation, pain modulation). However:

• No clear physiological mechanism is proven.

• Studies lack methodological rigor.

• It should not replace evidence-based treatments.

Recommendations:
🔹 Consider osteopathy as adjunctive therapy (if the patient responds positively).
🔹 Prioritize dietary and psychological interventions first.
🔹 More randomized controlled trials are needed.

Key References

• Müller A, et al. (2018). Osteopathic manipulative treatment for IBS: A pilot study. J Bodyw Mov Ther.

• Florance BM, et al. (2021). Osteopathy vs. standard care in IBS. BMC Gastroenterol.

• Cochrane Review (2023). Manual therapies for functional gastrointestinal disorders.

• Attanasio G, et al. (2022). Osteopathy in IBS: A sham-controlled trial. Dig Liver Dis.

Keywords: Osteopathy, Irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, Manual therapy, Autonomic nervous system, Scientific evidence.