Utilization of osteopathic manipulation treatment in healing of pressure ulcers

Pressure ulcers (PUs), caused by prolonged pressure on the skin and tissue, affect millions annually in the US, resulting in significant emotional and financial burdens for patients. The healthcare system bears a substantial cost burden annually, primarily due to stage 3 and 4 ulcers. Through noninvasive techniques, osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) targets lymphatic system dysfunction and homeostasis to expedite patient recovery, with documented applications in conditions such as low back pain, pneumonia, and lower extremity wounds by optimizing lymphatic flow. However, the potential of OMT in managing PUs still needs to be thoroughly explored. This pilot study involved lymphatic OMT performed three times a week on patients admitted with community-or healthcare-acquired sacral PUs present for at least one week. Ulcer growth rates were calculated based on volume at baseline and in the third week following the first manipulation. Each patient was provided descriptive comparisons of albumin levels, body mass index (BMI), and demographic data, including age, sex, and race. At week three, following the initiation of treatment, decreased ulcer volume based on growth rate was observed in 75% of patients in our OMT group compared to 25% of patients in our control group. Our OMT pilot study suggests that adding OMT to standard therapy is safe and feasible, and it may accelerate the healing rate of sacral PUs while decreasing the cost burden on the healthcare system.