Viscerosomatic reflexes: a review.

Abstract

The concept of viscerosomatic reflexes is presented and supporting documentation from the basic and clinical sciences is reviewed. The somatic manifestations of visceral disease, including their autonomic segmental reference sites, are described. Also discussed are the palpatory findings that are consistent with diagnosis of a viscerosomatic reflex, as well as their predictive value. In addition, the principles and results of manipulative treatment for visceral disease, as well as the effect of surgery on viscerosomatic findings, are reviewed.