Chapman reflex points
Chapman reflex points, or Chapman's points, are small, discrete tissue texture changes located just deep to the skin.[1] The Chapman point is hypothesized to be an outward physical representation of internal dysfunction or pathology of an organ system.[1] No robust data exists to support that they can be used to diagnose or treat disease.
History
The points were first described by Dr. Frank Chapman, DO[2] in 1920, who described the palpatory findings as "small pearls of tapioca that are firm, partially fixed, and located under the skin in the deep fascia."[1] The points are a diagnostic aid for connecting internal pain to a specific pathology. These points can be used diagnostically for osteopathic manipulative medicine and Chiropractic adjustments.
Important Chapman reflex points
Anterior | Posterior | ||
---|---|---|---|
Heart | 2nd intercostal space (ICS), left lateral border of sternum. | ||
Lungs | Upper lung: 3rd ICS, just lateral to the sternum
Lower lung: 4th ICS, just lateral to the sternum. |
||
Stomach | 6th ICS, one inch lateral from the sternoclavicular joint | T6 to T7, in the intercostal space, about 2 cm lateral from the spinous process. | |
Liver
5th and 6th ICS |
Gall bladder | 6th ICS, mid-clavicular line. | |
Pancreas | Lateral to the costal cartilage between the 7th and 8th ribs on the right | Transverse process of T7 and T8 on the right. | |
Adrenals | 2" superior and 1" lateral to the umbilicus | Between the spinous and transverse processes of T11 and T12 | |
Kidney | 1" superior and 1" lateral to the umbilicus | Between the spinous and transverse processes of T12 and L1. | |
Appendix | Tip of the 12th rib on the right | transverse process of T11 | |
Bladder | Periumbilical region | ||
Urethra | Anteriorly in the myofascial tissues along the superior margin of the pubis ramus about 2 centimeters lateral to the symphysis. | ||
Prostate | Myofascial tissue along the posterior margin of the iliotibial band. | Sacral base (superior sacrum), bilaterally. | |
Colon | greater trochanter to just above the knee on the Iliotibial band. |
References
- 1 2 3 Washington, K; Mosiello, R; Venditto, M; Simelaro, J; Coughlin, P; Crow, WT; Nicholas, A (October 2003). "Presence of Chapman reflex points in hospitalized patients with pneumonia.". the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 103 (10): 479–83. PMID 14620082. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
- ↑ "Glossary of Osteopathic Terminology" (PDF). American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. April 2009. p. 10. Retrieved 25 August 2012.