Mervyn Waldman's lecture attempted to provide information regarding studies of the therapeutic importance of passive motion used in osteopathy. Passive motion used by the osteopath has been shown to be beneficial to different aspects of repair, both in acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Waldman explained that one of the main physiological affects of passive motion is that it provides the mechanical signals that are necessary for stimulating and directing the repair process in spinal facet joint, ligaments, muscles and tendons. The lecture also pointed out the fact that the spinal disc being a connective tissue structure may also benefit from low stress passive movement for repair.

Furthermore, that passive movement may also help drain inflammatory swelling within the canal resulting in pain and nerve root irritation and that some benefit may also be provided by inducing low stress neural glide within its sheath.