Chapman reflex points, or Champman's points, are small, discrete tissue texture changes located just deep to the skin. The Chapman Point is an outward physical representation of internal dysfunction or pathology of an organ system. Chapman's reflexes are localized to consistent anatomic landmarks and are usually described as a smooth, firm bead about 2-3mm in diameter. The palpated bump is caused by over-stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in a concentration of ionized fluid. The points were first described by Dr. Frank Chapman, DO in 1920, who described the palpatory findings as "small pearls of tapioca that are firm, partially fixed, and located under the skin in the
deep fascia

Fascia

A fascia is a layer of fibrous tissue that permeates the human body. A fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, binding those structures together in much the same manner as plastic wrap can be used to hold the contents of sandwiches...

." The points are useful as a diagnostic aid for connecting internal pain to a specific pathology. These points can be used diagnostically for osteopathic manipulative medicine

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine is the application of the distinct osteopathic philosophy, structural diagnosis and use of Osteopathic Manipulative Technique in the diagnosis and management of the patient. OMM takes into account the physical and mental health of a patient, and how either aspect...

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Important Chapman Reflex Points

• Stomach
  Stomach
  The stomach is a muscular, hollow, dilated part of the alimentary canal which functions as an important organ of the digestive tract in some animals, including vertebrates, echinoderms, insects , and molluscs. It is involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication .The stomach is...
  
   - Anteriorly, in the 6th ICS, one inch lateral from the sternoclavicular joint. Posteriorly, T6 to T7, in the intercostal space, about 2 cm lateral from the spinous process.

• Appendix
  Vermiform appendix
  The appendix is a blind-ended tube connected to the cecum , from which it develops embryologically. The cecum is a pouchlike structure of the colon...
  
   - Anteriorly at the tip of the 12th rib. Posteriorly at the transverse process of T11.

• Pancreas
  Pancreas
  The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, as well as a digestive organ, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that assist...
  
   - Anteriorly the point is lateral to the costal cartilage between the 7th and 8th ribs on the right. Posteriorly between the transverse process of T7 and T8 on the right.

• Lung
  Human lung
  The human lungs are the organs of respiration in humans. Humans have two lungs, with the left being divided into two lobes and the right into three lobes. Together, the lungs contain approximately of airways and 300 to 500 million alveoli, having a total surface area of about in...
  
  s - (upper lung): 3rd ICS, just lateral to the sternum; (lower lung): 4th ICS, just lateral to the sternum

• Adrenals - Anteriorly 2" superior and 1" lateral to the umbilicus
  Navel
  The navel is a scar on the abdomen caused when the umbilical cord is removed from a newborn baby...
  
  . Posteriorly between the spinous
  Spinous process
  The spinous process of a vertebra is directed backward and downward from the junction of the laminae , and serves for the attachment of muscles and ligaments. In animals without an erect stance, the process points upward and may slant forward or backward...
  
   and transverse processes of T11 and T12

• Kidney
  Kidney
  The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
  
   - Anteriorly 1" superior and 1" lateral to the umbilicus. Posteriorly between the spinous and transverse processes of T12 and L1.

• Bladder
  Bladder
  Bladder usually refers to an anatomical hollow organBladder may also refer to:-Biology:* Urinary bladder in humans** Urinary bladder ** Bladder control; see Urinary incontinence** Artificial urinary bladder, in humans...
  
   - Periumbilical region

• Urethra
  Urethra
  In anatomy, the urethra is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the genitals for the removal of fluids out of the body. In males, the urethra travels through the penis, and carries semen as well as urine...
  
   - Anteriorly in the myofacial tissues along the superior margin of the pubis ramus about 2 cm lateral to the symphysis
  Pubic symphysis
  The pubic symphysis or symphysis pubis is the midline cartilaginous joint uniting the superior rami of the left and right pubic bones. It is located anterior to the urinary bladder and superior to the external genitalia; for females it is above the vulva and for males it is above the penis...
  
  

• Prostate
  Prostate
  The prostate is a compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male reproductive system in most mammals....
  
   - Anteriorly located in myofacial tissue along the posterior margin of the iliotibial band. Posteriorly located at the sacral base (superior sacrum), bilaterally.

• Colon
  Colon (anatomy)
  The colon is the last part of the digestive system in most vertebrates; it extracts water and salt from solid wastes before they are eliminated from the body, and is the site in which flora-aided fermentation of unabsorbed material occurs. Unlike the small intestine, the colon does not play a...
  
   - On the lateral thigh within the iliotibial band from the greater trochanter
  Greater trochanter
  The greater trochanter of the femur is a large, irregular, quadrilateral eminence and a part of the skeletal system.It is directed a little lateralward and backward, and, in the adult, is about 1 cm lower than the head...
  
   to just above the knee
  Knee
  The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
  
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