The Osteopath’s role in the management of Medically Unexplained Symptoms and Functional Somatic Syndromes.

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Matthews Benjamin. n.d. “The Osteopath’s Role in the Management of Medically Unexplained Symptoms and Functional Somatic Syndromes.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed December 16, 2025, https://library.wso.at/s/orw/item/1758

Title: The Osteopath’s role in the management of Medically Unexplained Symptoms and Functional Somatic Syndromes.
Title: The Osteopath’s role in the management of Medically Unexplained Symptoms and Functional Somatic Syndromes.
Author(s): Matthews Benjamin
Abstract: Background: Medically Unexplained Symptoms/ Functional Somatic Syndromes are terms used within 'Biomedical professions' to define patients where no physiological or psychological disease can be diagnosed to explain their 'physical symptoms'. Objective: To investigate the role of Osteopaths in the management of patients with 'Medically Unexplained Symptoms/ Functional Somatic Syndromes'. Method: A qualitative semi-structured interview study of practicing osteopaths using 'content analysis' & elements of 'grounded theory'. Results: Osteopaths recognise the legitimacy of the terms Medically Unexplained Symptoms based on the dualistic conceptual model of biomedicine but this is incompatible with the osteopathic conceptual model of disease. Conclusion: Osteopaths recognise MUS/ FSS as a construct of the 'mind-brain' conceptual model of medicine. These patient’s present as a challenging group for osteopaths to both treat and manage successfully. Although osteopaths may not be able to scientifically explain MUS and FSS, they may provide patients with a functional 'working hypothesis' which could provide the basis of a therapeutic intervention.
Abstract: Background: Medically Unexplained Symptoms/ Functional Somatic Syndromes are terms used within 'Biomedical professions' to define patients where no physiological or psychological disease can be diagnosed to explain their 'physical symptoms'. Objective: To investigate the role of Osteopaths in the management of patients with 'Medically Unexplained Symptoms/ Functional Somatic Syndromes'. Method: A qualitative semi-structured interview study of practicing osteopaths using 'content analysis' & elements of 'grounded theory'. Results: Osteopaths recognise the legitimacy of the terms Medically Unexplained Symptoms based on the dualistic conceptual model of biomedicine but this is incompatible with the osteopathic conceptual model of disease. Conclusion: Osteopaths recognise MUS/ FSS as a construct of the 'mind-brain' conceptual model of medicine. These patient’s present as a challenging group for osteopaths to both treat and manage successfully. Although osteopaths may not be able to scientifically explain MUS and FSS, they may provide patients with a functional 'working hypothesis' which could provide the basis of a therapeutic intervention.
presented at: British School of Osteopathy
Date Accepted: 2011
Date Submitted: 3.2.2012 00:00:00
Type: osteo_thesis
Language: English
Pub-Identifier: 15080
Inst-Identifier: 780
Keywords: Medically Unexplained Symptoms, Somatoform Disorders, Functional Somatic Syndromes, Manual Therapy, Osteopathy, Osteopathic Patient Management
Recommended: 0

Item sets: Thesis