Effects of osteopathic manual therapy on the autonomic and immune systems and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in the horse
Authors: Giedrė Vokietytė-Vilėniškė, Gabrielė Babarskaitė, Eglė Pakalniškytė, V. Žilaitis
Journal: Acta Veterinaria Brno
Summary
# Editorial Summary Osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) produces measurable physiological changes in the horse's stress response and nervous system regulation, operating through mechanisms distinct from the mechanical improvements (joint mobility, tissue extensibility) for which it is already well-recognised. Vokietytė-Vilėniškė and colleagues administered standardised OMT to 15 thoroughbreds whilst a control group of 15 received no intervention, taking blood samples and recording heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature immediately before treatment, immediately after, and one hour post-treatment. The treatment group showed a significant increase in serum cortisol of 0.94 µg/dl, indicating direct HPA axis activation, alongside a notable reduction in white blood cell count (0.57 × 10⁹/l) suggesting an immune system response, and crucially, decreased heart and respiratory rates indicative of parasympathetic nervous system engagement. These findings suggest OMT may confer benefits beyond musculoskeletal mobilisation—potentially modulating stress resilience and systemic inflammation—though practitioners should recognise that the cortisol elevation, whilst physiologically significant, requires interpretation in context of the concurrent parasympathetic activation and immune modulation rather than as a stress indicator alone. Further investigation into sustained effects, treatment duration protocols, and individual variation would strengthen confidence in applying these observations to clinical and preventative management strategies.
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Practical Takeaways
- •OMT produces measurable systemic effects beyond local tissue changes—it activates the parasympathetic (relaxation) response, which may explain pain reduction and improved recovery in rehabilitation settings
- •The acute cortisol elevation and WBC reduction suggest OMT triggers a coordinated neuroimmune response; timing of treatment relative to work or stress may matter for optimizing outcomes
- •For post-operative or traumatised horses, OMT appears to promote autonomic nervous system rebalancing that could support healing—consider incorporating into structured rehabilitation protocols
Key Findings
- •Osteopathic manual therapy increased blood serum cortisol by 0.94 µg/dl, indicating direct HPA axis activation
- •White blood cell count decreased by 0.57 × 10⁹/l following OMT, suggesting immune system response
- •Heart rate and respiratory rate significantly decreased post-OMT, indicating parasympathetic nervous system activation
- •Changes in autonomic markers occurred within 1 hour of treatment, suggesting acute physiological response