Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment as a Useful Adjunctive Tool for Pneumonia
Published on: May 6, 2014
[Complementary treatment of pneumonia with pleural effusion]
Thomas Rampp1, Andreas Michalsen
1Kliniken Essen-Mitte/Knappschafts-Krankenhaus, Innere Medizin V. Naturheikunde und Integrative Medizin, Essen, Deutschland [corrected] thomas.rampp@uni-essen.de
Abstract:
A 43-year-old male patient was diagnosed with acute sinistral pleuropneumonia and a pronounced thoracic pain syndrome. Despite of his painful ailments the patient refused antibiotic treatment. A complementary therapy comprising physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, herbal therapy and vitamin C, cupping and QiGong was initiated. A cantharidin blister was applied topically to the left thorax in order to treat the pain syndrome. The multimodal CAM treatment resulted in a rapid clinical and x-ray resolution of pneumonia, and cantharidin treatment effectively relieved pain. The case and the potential of topical cantharidin in pain syndromes are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's criteria,...
Pneumonia I: Introduction