The common cold can be relatively harmless, but also one of the most aggravating conditions to have. You may feel like you are dying, with runny nose, cough, sore throat, lack of appetite, fatigue…but all your doctor can do is give you or your child a few days off and some cold and flu tablets, perhaps even just paracetamol. Kids in day-care seem to be great incubators of various strains of viruses, infecting each other and bringing the little germs home to share! There are many home remedies that have various rates of success, as well as natural therapies, but have you ever thought of osteopathy as a treatment for the common cold?

Let’s first define what we mean by the common cold, and differentiate it from influenza.

In essence, both are caused by viruses, but the main difference is with the flu you get a fever and joint pain, whereas with the common cold a fever doesn’t really feature. Flu symptoms tend to be more severe and can also cause serious complications such as pneumonia in those with a weak immune system or the elderly. In these cases antibiotics may be of benefit, but in the general population they are of little benefit in treatment as they only tackle bacterial infections.

FEATURES	COMMON COLD	INFLUENZA
Incubation period	12 hours – 5 days	1-3 days
Fever	possible	PP
Cough	later	P
Sore throat	PP	possible
Runny nose	P	later
Muscle aches	O	P
Causes	RhinovirusesParainfluenzaInfluenza B,CCorona virusRespiratory syncytial virus	Influenza A,B

Source: General Practice, John Murtagh, McGraw-Hill Book Company Sydney, 1996.

So what role can osteopathy play in the treatment of the common cold?

Osteopathy can be of benefit in both situations but it’s fairer on your osteopath to wait until you’re no longer infectious with the flu before seeking treatment; usually 1-3 days or when your fever has subsided. The rationale for treatment in the case of a cold is to help the body fight the infection and shorten the duration of the illness. This is done by · improving blood flow and lymphatic drainage;· decreasing irritation of the nervous system;· addressing muscle spasm and pain;· promoting a sense of well-being and relaxation.

The symptoms of a cold are caused by viruses embedding in the tissues of the nose and throat. Our body responds by creating watery mucous which translates into a runny nose.

Viruses also attack and take control of healthy cells, causing inflammation and irritation of surrounding sympathetic nerves. These irritated nerves send messages to the brain (via the spinal cord) that they’re irritated, causing tight muscles and soreness in the related areas of the spine, namely the upper back and neck. The increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system also results in the production of thick, slow-moving mucous which leads to congestion and further discomfort.

Treatment therefore addresses these tight muscles and areas of the spine which in turn normalises the function of the nervous system. As the nerves become less irritated the muscles relax, and the mucus becomes less thick and therefore easier to clear. Osteopaths will use different techniques in order to achieve this. Some will directly treat the muscles and joints using soft-tissue or manipulative techniques. Others will use more indirect methods such as cranio-sacral or connective tissue/fascial methods which are a little gentler and work better on babies and children.

This is followed by work on the lymphatic system to help drain all these secretions and decrease congestion. (The lymphatic system is like the recycling and detoxifying system in the body which parallels the circulatory system). Again there are various techniques that can achieve this, including pectoralis/chest stretching, lymphatic pumps, articulation, and cranio-sacral techniques to get the sinuses draining better.

Whatever techniques your osteopath considers appropriate, the goal and end-result of treatment are the same – to improve functioning of the immune system and support the healing processes of the body. As you may have heard before, the body has a natural tendency towards self-regulation and balance, and osteopathy works with these natural laws. Cold and flu tablets, paracetamol and decongestants all subdue the symptoms but do not really address the cause. You might get temporary relief, but not a long-term benefit.

Next time you’re staying home from work with a cold, or your child has fallen ill to another infection, consider a visit to your local osteopath. In particular, if your child has had several rounds of antibiotics recently and keeps getting sick, osteopathy can really help support and strengthen their immune system. Osteopathy works well in conjunction with other natural therapies too, so there’s no problem if you’re also under the care of a naturopath, homeopath, acupuncturist etc.

For more information contact the Australian Osteopathic Association on 1800 467 836. References1. John Murtagh, General Practice, McGraw-Hill Book Company Sydney, 1996.2.Kuchera and Kuchera, Osteopathic Considerations in Systemic Dysfunction, Kcom Press,