Osteopathic Techniques – Whole-Person Approach

There are several osteopathic techniques involved in the treatment of many osteopathic cases. Osteopathic physicians look at treating illness within the context of the whole person’s mind body and spirit.

On assessment of your case, your DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) might recommend OMT or osteopathic manipulative treatment.  This is a hands-on technique learned by Dos in medical school. This practice in used along with such treatments as medication and surgery.

One of the ideas in osteopathic techniques medicine is that tightness and restriction in the nerves and muscles can be caused by other problems. It may also lead to other medical issues. One of the treatment methods is using the joints and tissues gently to correct any restrictions of their natural motions. 

Techniques

The osteopathic manipulation technique (OMT) has about 40 different methods all using light pressure, resistance, and stretching. In soft tissues, you can feel the stretching and pressure on your muscles.

In muscle energy, you move your muscles in a specific direction while your physician counters the movement in a push and pull fashion.

In myofascial release, your physician uses firm but gentle pressure to release tension in the fascia, the layer of connective tissue that surrounds your bones, muscles and organs.

The osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine consists in your physician applying soft pressure to your skull to stimulate healing.

Benefits

OMT had been helping people of all ages and background in the treatment in the ease of pain, promoting healing and increasing overall mobility. It is also used in treating muscle pain.

It can also help patients with asthma, migraines, sinus disorders, and menstrual pains for women. When needed, the treatment can complement others treatment in surgery, and can sometimes replace drugs.

Effectiveness

These treatments help with central healing and can be used for anything that has to do with restrictions functions. If you feel you are out of alignment, like there is something that is “out of whack”, the OMT might provide relief.

The treatment had been in use in treating musculoskeletal pain. Moreover, it had helped patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, tension headaches, menstrual pains, and injuries caused by playing sports.

The relief from pain had been successful in people of all ages. There had been observations that there is quicker healing time and improved mobility with OMT.

If after the stretching, rest and the anti-inflammatory drugs and you still experience continued discomfort, your primary physician might recommend about a referral to an osteopathic physician or DO.

OMT and chiropractic care

A doctor of chiropractic medicine (DC) and an osteopathic physician (DO) are both medical professionals who treat patients focusing on the musculoskeletal system, including the spine, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

However, a DC uses holistic forms of therapy and techniques for manipulating the spine. They believe health problems are imbalances in the musculoskeletal system.

An osteopathic physician treats illnesses from the contest of the whole person – mind, body and spirit. Many aspects of osteopathic techniques may resemble some of the methods of the two practices, though.

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