The purpose of the study was to determine the effect on recovery after surgery of patients who received a standardized daily protocol of osteopathic manipulative treatment.Patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery were voluntarily enrolled in the study and assigned to one of three groups.One group received a standardized daily treatment protocol along with conventional care, another received daily similar placebo treatment with conventional care, and a final group received only conventional post surgical care.The research hypothesis was that daily treatment with osteopathic manipulative treatment would reduce hospital stay and hasten recovery from surgery.Persons in the treatment group had earlier discharge, and faster recovery of bowel function and basic mobility.