It is extremely important that the osteopath should be thoroughly
conversant with the regions where he may affect the vasomotor nerves to
various tissues and organs. Many anatomical derangements undoubtedly
involve the vasomotor nerves, and it is therefore necessary to know
where they may be affected. The following table is taken mostly from
the physiology of Landois and Stirling, but many of the statements have
been noted at various times; it is, therefore, impossible to give full
credit.[37]
The vasomotor center is in the medulla, consequently the osteopath
gives cervical treatment to influence this center. Treatment of the
upper cervical region has undoubtedly a marked effect in tending to
equalize the vascular system of the body, when it is disturbed.
=Head.=—The cervical sympathetic for the same side of the face, eye,
ear, salivary glands, tongue, etc., and possibly the brain. Lesions
are found in all the tissues about the cervical region, but usually in
the vertebræ, which influence these nerves. Deep contracted muscles
oftentimes involve them. The spinal vaso-constrictors for the vessels
of the head are from the first five or six thoracics. Many lesions are
located in the upper five or six dorsal vertebræ, or corresponding
ribs, that have apparently a direct influence upon the vessels of the
head. Not only congestive headache and congestion of the brain tissues
are influenced by lesions in this region, but disease of the eye, ear
and face occasionally arise from such derangements. It is always best
when the head, neck or even the arms are involved, to examine carefully
this region. Vaso-dilator fibres for the face and mouth are found from
the second to the fifth dorsals; these fibres unite almost entirely
with the trigeminus, and pass from the superior cervical ganglion of
the sympathetic, to the ganglion of Gasser. This fact is of great
importance to the osteopath, for oftentimes when inflammation of the
face and mouth occurs, lesions may be located along the upper dorsal
vertebræ or ribs, or in the deeply contracted muscles of this region.
Observation revealed in several cases of erysipelas that the causative
lesion was located in the upper dorsal region; and the cases were cured
by correcting these lesions, thus showing that probably the vasomotor
nerves were the seat of the trouble. Other dilator fibres arise
apparently in the trigeminus, for stimulation of this nerve between the
brain and Gasser’s ganglion causes dilatation of the vessels of the
face. The lingual and glosso-pharyngeal nerves are the dilators of the
lingual vessels. The sympathetic and hypo glossal are the constrictors;
these arise in the sympathetic and reach the nerves by way of the
superior cervical ganglion. Stimulation of the cervical sympathetic
causes constriction of the retinal vessels. This point is extremely
interesting to the osteopath, because diseases of the retina and optic
nerve are oftentimes due to subluxated cervical vertebræ, usually the
atlas or third cervical. The retinal fibres leave the sympathetic at
the superior cervical ganglion and pass along the communicating ramus
to the ganglion of Gasser, from whence they reach the eye through the
ophthalmic branch of the fifth nerve, the gray root of the ophthalmic,
the ganglion and the ciliary nerves. Almost all the fibres to the
anterior part of the eye are found in the fifth nerve; this, also,
is another important point for the osteopath’s consideration. Cases
of conjunctivitis, keratitis, corneal astigmatism and diseases about
the eyelids and tear ducts are usually caused by lesions to the fifth
nerve, due to a deranged atlas or third cervical. The vaso-dilators
for the anterior part of the eye, and also dilating fibres to the
iris may be affected at the first and second dorsals. This point is
also taken advantage of by the osteopath, for lesions of these fibres
occur oftentimes at the upper dorsal. It is claimed that important
fibres that aid in the control of the metabolism of the retina, may be
affected at the fourth and fifth dorsals.
=Lungs.=—Reflex constriction by stimulation of the intercostals,
central end of the sciatic, abdominal pneumogastric and abdominal
sympathetic. There is not a rich vasomotor supply.[38] The essential
feature to the osteopath is that the vaso-constrictors to the lungs
and bronchial tubes are very likely to be interfered with by rib
and vertebral dislocations, from the second to the seventh dorsals,
inclusive, but chiefly at the third, fourth and fifth. The heaviest
innervation being from the third, fourth and fifth spaces, probably
explains why asthma is often due to a dislocation of the third, fourth
or fifth rib.
=Heart.=—First to fifth thoracic via ganglion stellatum and inferior
cervical ganglion. Vasomotor fibres to the coronary arteries are found
in the vagi.
=Intestines.=—Sympathetic, chiefly through the splanchnic nerves.
Vaso-constrictors of the jejunum from the fifth dorsal down, for the
ileum slightly lower and for the colon still lower. There are none
below the second lumbar. Dilators are present in the same sheath, but
more abundant in the last three dorsals and the upper two lumbars; all
probably end in the solar and renal plexuses.
=Receptaculum Chyli.=—Stimulation of the splanclinics causes dilatation.
=Liver.=—The splanchnics chiefly on the right side. The vagus contains
vaso-dilators. There are also fibres from the inferior cervical ganglia
of the sympathetic.
=Kidneys.=—Vasomotor nerves from the sixth dorsal to the second lumbar,
but principally from the ninth to twelfth dorsals, inclusive. In the
large majority of kidney diseases, lesions are found from the tenth
to the twelfth dorsals. Stimulation of the sciatic centers causes
contraction. There are also fibres from the superior cervical ganglion.
=Spleen.=—Vasomotor fibres are in the splanchnics, third dorsal to
third lumbar, principally, on the left side. There are some fibres
direct from the brain. Stimulation of the vagi contracts the spleen.
=Portal System.=—Fifth to ninth dorsal.
=Generative Organs.=—For Fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, vas deferens
and seminal vesicles, vasomotor fibres are found in the lower dorsal,
and the second, third, fourth and fifth lumbar nerves, principally.
=Coccyx and Immediate Region.=—Third lumbar down.
=Back Muscles.=—Dorsal Posterior branches of the lumbar nerves and
intercostal nerves. These nerves arise from the gray ramus of the
corresponding sympathetic ganglia.
=Arm.=—From the brachial plexus, the sympathetic, inferior cervical
ganglion and first thoracic ganglion, and sometimes lower.
=Leg.=—Second dorsal down, the sciatic and crural nerves, and the
abdominal sympathetics.