Which of the following best describes how symmetry is used in palpation for somatic dysfunction?

• A. Symmetry helps establish a baseline and identify abnormalities
• B. Symmetry determines blood sugar
• C. Symmetry is irrelevant
• D. Symmetry measures pulmonary function

Answer: (A)

In palpation for somatic dysfunction, symmetry is used to establish a baseline of how the body normally feels on both sides and then to spot deviations that indicate dysfunction. By comparing bilateral landmarks and tissues—such as shoulders, pelvis, rib cage, spine alignments, and areas of tissue texture or warmth—you can identify subtle differences in position, density, or motion. When one side doesn’t match the other, it suggests a segmental restriction, muscle hypertonicity, or other dysfunction that may be contributing to the patient’s symptoms. Knowing the individual’s baseline is crucial because some degree of asymmetry can be normal, so the goal is to detect meaningful deviations from that person’s own normal. This approach is about detecting functional differences through touch, not about unrelated measurements like blood sugar or pulmonary function, which require different tests.