Osteopathic Manipulate Treatment (OMT) is a hands-on therapy that uses a set of manipulative techniques as a diagnostic and treatment modality. Osteopathic treatment aims at restoring optimal mobility, which in each individual corresponds to their distinctive physiological state. Osteopathic therapist plays an important role in advising their clients in health maintenance and injury prevention
There are four imperative steps integral to any osteopathic treatment:
- Physical assessment: Identify the factor (somatic lesion) that disrupts the normal function of the body and hinders the healing process.
- Treatment: Manually readjust the structural elements using direct or indirect manipulations (i.e. fascial, visceral, cranial approach, etc).
- Support: Monitor results allowing the body to re-establish its natural balance and health.
- Maintenance: Once the mechanical and physiological balance is restored, the patient is advised on further health maintenance through a proper posture, stress reduction, healthy eating habits, and adequate physical activity.
Osteopathic Touch
Almost daily we hear about medical science unveiling new discoveries from brain scans to highly effective drugs. It is easy to forget that sometimes what patients really need is a healing touch. Osteopathy is hands-on care which uses hands to locate an ailment, treat and prevent further injury or degeneration. People of all ages benefit from osteopathic treatment.
Conditions effectively treated with manual osteopathy are:
- Back pain: lumbar pain, lumbago, dorsalgia
- Neck problems: basic neck pain, cervical-brachial neuralgia, etc
- Tension headaches, migraines, craniomandibular pain
- Sciatica
- Pain resulting from axial or peripheral musculoskeletal conditions: tension, joint instability, tendinitis, cramps/spasms
- Pain and stiffness associated with arthritis, at the early stages of affliction
- Pain resulting from muscular stiffness during or following pregnancy
- Repetitive Stress Injuries
- Whiplash
- Torticollis
- Lymphatic flow problems
- Sinus disorders
- Stress
- Degenerative conditions of the spine and joints
Osteopathy and integrative health
Osteopathic professionals realize that like any therapeutic discipline, osteopathy exclusively cannot resolve every condition. Manual osteopaths work in conjunction with other health practitioners and medical specializations such as dentistry, psychology, nutrition, acupuncture, chiropody, orthopedics, surgery etc.