The effect of the osteopathic thoracic lymphatic pump technique on salivary secretory immunoglobulin A levels in adults with recurrent upper respiratory tract complaints

BACKGROUND: Low levels of salivary SIgA have been associated with upper respiratory tract infection, oral ulceration and systemic diseases. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment has been shown to have a positive effect on salivary SIgA levels. OBJECTIVE: This single case study aimed to determine changes in salivary SIgA concentration and secretion rate in response to a single 7-minute intervention of the osteopathic thoracic lymphatic pump in four male subjects who indicated suppressed mucosal immunity identified by recurrent upper respiratory tract infection and oral ulceration. METHODS: On a single day a total of nine saliva samples were collected per participant via oral swab, including four samples pre-, one peri- and four post-intervention. Participant results were analysed individually with group statistics reported. RESULTS: At baseline all participants showed suppressed levels of salivary SIgA concentrations with an average of 58.03 μg/mL (