Pediatric Chapman Reflexes

1
Pediatric Chapman Reflexes

• American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians
• Robert Hostoffer, DO,FACOP, FAAP

edited by Eric Hegybeli, DO, FACOP
questionnaires by Michael Rowane, DO, MS,
FAAFP, FAAO
2
Background
Chapmans reflexes, more commonly referred to
today as neurolymphatic reflex points, were
discovered by Dr. Frank Chapman, in the 1930s.
Dr. Charles Owen, worked with Dr. Chapman and
wrote a book, An Endocrine Interpretation of
Chapmans Reflexes, in 1937. It was Chapmans
idea that by stimulating by finger pressure over
specific points on the body, lymphatic function
would improve in a certain organ of the body.
Most of these points were found to be around the
spine or rib cage area. Dr. Chapman found that it
was often possible to strengthen the organ by
just stimulating the reflex.
3
Chapman Reflexes

• A viscerosomatic reflex mechanism that has
  diagnostic and therapeutic significance.
• a neurolymphatic gangliform contraction that
  blocks lymphatic drainage, causing inflammation
  in tissues distal to the blockage, and causes
  both visceral and somatic tissues to suffer.

4
Chapman Uses Traditional concept
Therapeutic
Diagnostics
5
Locations

• Deep to skin, subcutaneous areolar tissue
• Deep fascia
• Deep periostium
• Usually found paired

6
Distinguishing Characteristics

• Small
• Smooth
• Firm
• Discretely palpable
• 2-3 mm in diameter

7
palpation

• Small pearls of tapioca slightly fixed on fascia
• Dense but not hard
• Circumscribed area of firm edema
• fixed

8
Use of Chapmans Reflexes

• Clarify differential diagnosis
• Visceral somatic dysfunction
• Musculoskeletal somatic dysfunction
• Treatment can reduce adverse sympathetic
  influence on a specific organ/visceral system

9
Chapmans Reflexes Treatment

• Find Chapman Reflex point
• Gently rotary motion is induced over each point,
  using the finger pad
• 15 seconds
• Treatment few seconds - 2 minutes
• Pressure firm
• Competed dissolution of edema decrease tissue
  tension in the myofascial tissues

10
Cardiopulmonary
11
Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat and Neck
12
Upper Gastrointestinal
13
Lower Gastrointestinal
14
Clinical Application of Chapmans
ReflexesIrritable Bowel Syndrome

• Treatment Soft Tissue treatment
• Iliotibial band
• Lumbosacral paraspinial tissues
• Result
• Improve bowel pattern

15
Genitourinary
16
Innervation Table
17
Print out the answer sheet to use with the
following questions.
18
Circle the correct answer and review with
director

• Question1 A, B, C, D, E.
• Question2 A, B, C, D, E.
• Question3 A, B, C, D, E.

19
Question 1

• The anterior Chapman Reflexes primarily are used
  for
• Treatment
• Therapeutic
• Diagnostic
• Prognostic
• Capitulative

20
Question 2

• Chapman Reflexes are described as these except
• a. Small
• b.Smooth
• c. Firm
• d. Discretely palpable
• e. 5-10 mm in diameter

21
Question 3

• Chapman reflexes feel like this except
• a. Small pearls of tapioca slightly fixed on
  fascia
• b. Dense but not hard
• c. Circumscribed area of firm edema
• d. Fixed
• e. Crispy

22
Congratulations