Somatic healing

Does the critical frequency or range thereof of normal cells differ, from that of somatic-healing, embryonic, or tumor cells ... 

Mixedmarasmus/kwashiorkor is a form of severe protein-calorie malnutrition that develops in chronically ill, starved patients during periods of hypermetabolic stress. There is reduced visceral protein synthesis superimposed on wasting of somatic protein and energy (adipose tissue) stores. Immunocompetence is lowered, increasing the incidence of infection, and wound healing is compromised. 

There is another common form of asexual reproduction that is clearly important to all multicellular organisms, and that is reproduction of somatal (or body) cells. These cells do not form gametes (or germ cells), and die when the organism dies. However, they reproduce in order to support growth or heal wounds. 

Somatal cell reproduction does not happen without interaction from other cells and tissues. Growth factors are proteins released by certain body cells that stimulate other cells to divide. Thus we find that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is made by blood cells called platelets in response to a wound. Connective tissue cells called fibroblasts are stimulated to divide by PDGE The result is that the wound begins to heal (Campbell et al., 1999). 

Once the fracture has healed, the area can be treated with gentle osteopathic manipulation to correct associated somatic dysfunctions. 

A thorough history, physical examination, and ancillary studies should be performed before treatment is instituted. The ankle joint is commonly involved in eversion and inversion strains or sprains, as well as in malleolar fractures. Dysfunction often follows immobilization treatment procedures. People with healed fractures may still have unresolved somatic dysfunctions. 

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