What is defined as impaired or altered function of related components of the body framework?

The correct term for the impaired or altered function of related components of the body framework is somatic dysfunction. This concept is central to osteopathic medicine and refers to a condition where the system of bones, muscles, and soft tissues is capable of causing pain or dysfunction. Somatic dysfunction can result from mechanical, neurological, or physiological issues affecting the body's interconnected systems.

The term encompasses various abnormalities in the anatomy and physiology of the body, which could include restrictions in range of motion, changes in tissue texture, asymmetry, and tenderness. Understanding somatic dysfunction is crucial for osteopathic practitioners, as they often use osteopathic manipulative treatment to address these dysfunctions to promote healing and restore normal function.

Postural variation, while it could imply a change in posture, does not necessarily indicate a dysfunction per se and is often a normal aspect of human variability. Structural abnormalities imply a more fixed and significant change in anatomy, which may not directly relate to functional impairment. Movement impairment refers specifically to restrictions in motion but does not encompass the broader context of related components within the body framework that somatic dysfunction describes.