“Anatomy is taught in our school more thoroughly than in any other school, because we want the student to carry a living picture of all or any part of the body in his mind, as an artist carries the mental picture of the face, scenery, beast, or any thing that he wishes to represent by his brush. I constantly urge my students to keep their minds full of pictures of the normal body." Still, A.T., The Philosophy and Mechanical Principles of Osteopathy, Introduction. (p. 9).
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
What To Expect During a Treatment
Initial visits are 1 hour and follow-up visits are 45 minutes. After a thorough medical history, the patient receives an Osteopathic structural and functional physical examination that may involve sensation, strength testing, and reflex testing, The doctor decides on an Osteopathic plan unique to the patient and their needs and then treats with hands on Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. At times the patient changes positions and participates in some way in the treatment process. Accommodations are made to make the patient as comfortable as possible.
On occasion, different techniques or modalities may be used, based on what the osteopathic physician feels is most appropriate for the patient at that time. These may include indirect techniques and direct techniques. Regardless of the specific techniques used, the principles upon which the treatment is based do not change. The osteopathic physician is using structure to address function, looking for the health within the patient, and working to support the innate capacity for healing within. There are rare relative contraindications to the use of Osteopathic treatment, and the physician is knowledgable about choosing particular techniques for a treatment plan appropriate for the individual patient taking into account their condition or preferences.
The physician may make contact with areas of the body that the patient does not associate with injury or pain, including the feet, tailbone, and head. This is because the body needs to be assessed and treated as a whole, in part because of fluid and tissue continuity. During the treatments, the patient may sense a deep state of relaxation (sometimes resulting in sleep), a wide range of other feelings and sensations, or may feel nothing at all. The patient’s perceptions during treatment do not necessarily equate with the body’s capacity for a beneficial treatment response.
What To Wear to a Treatment
Patients are treated fully clothed, except for shoes. Comfortable, loose fitting clothing is recommended. Pants are preferred over skirts and dresses. Respecting some of our patients who are chemically sensitive, please refrain from perfumes and using products with strong fragrances. Please silence all cell phones. It helps to be as relaxed as possible before a treatment, so please refrain from consuming stimulants such as coffee and nicotine 3 hours before, and for at least one hour after the treatment.
What To Do After a Treatment
Because Osteopathic treatment kickstarts healing and the patient's body executes the healing, patients should “take it easy” for the first two to three days after each treatment. In other words, get adequate rest, be aware of emotional stress, limit high impact or intense work-outs (no bungee jumping or tabata), avoid excessive alcohol or caffeine, and keep well hydrated with water. The osteopathic physician often gives other recommendations that are specific for the individual patient.
What To Expect After a Treatment
Typically, patients feel very relaxed and peaceful after a treatment. Occasionally patients experience one or two days of feeling tired or mildly sore. This is normal and can indicate that the treatment process is continuing and that the injury pattern or dysfunction is starting to heal. The time it takes one to heal is dependent on many factors, but in general, the more chronic the issue, the longer it may take. Expect to see some signs of improvement in the issue or other markers of well being within the first 3 treatments.
Osteopathic Care As Part Of A Complete Treatment Program
Osteopathic physicians collaborate with other members of the health care team (primary care, other physician specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, acupuncturists, counselors, etc.) as needed. As part of the overall treatment plan, the osteopathic physician may also recommend dietary changes, nutritional supplements, medications, and therapeutic exercises.
It is preferable to schedule other types of constitutional treatments, such as massage, acupuncture, PT, OT, and homeopathy, more than 72 hours after Osteopathic treatments. The normal healing process takes about 72 hours to fully mature, so this timing allows the system adequate time to fully respond to each treatment before the next one is introduced.
What To Expect During a Treatment
Initial visits are 1 hour and follow-up visits are 45 minutes. After a thorough medical history, the patient receives an Osteopathic structural and functional physical examination that may involve sensation, strength testing, and reflex testing, The doctor decides on an Osteopathic plan unique to the patient and their needs and then treats with hands on Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. At times the patient changes positions and participates in some way in the treatment process. Accommodations are made to make the patient as comfortable as possible.
On occasion, different techniques or modalities may be used, based on what the osteopathic physician feels is most appropriate for the patient at that time. These may include indirect techniques and direct techniques. Regardless of the specific techniques used, the principles upon which the treatment is based do not change. The osteopathic physician is using structure to address function, looking for the health within the patient, and working to support the innate capacity for healing within. There are rare relative contraindications to the use of Osteopathic treatment, and the physician is knowledgable about choosing particular techniques for a treatment plan appropriate for the individual patient taking into account their condition or preferences.
The physician may make contact with areas of the body that the patient does not associate with injury or pain, including the feet, tailbone, and head. This is because the body needs to be assessed and treated as a whole, in part because of fluid and tissue continuity. During the treatments, the patient may sense a deep state of relaxation (sometimes resulting in sleep), a wide range of other feelings and sensations, or may feel nothing at all. The patient’s perceptions during treatment do not necessarily equate with the body’s capacity for a beneficial treatment response.
What To Wear to a Treatment
Patients are treated fully clothed, except for shoes. Comfortable, loose fitting clothing is recommended. Pants are preferred over skirts and dresses. Respecting some of our patients who are chemically sensitive, please refrain from perfumes and using products with strong fragrances. Please silence all cell phones. It helps to be as relaxed as possible before a treatment, so please refrain from consuming stimulants such as coffee and nicotine 3 hours before, and for at least one hour after the treatment.
What To Do After a Treatment
Because Osteopathic treatment kickstarts healing and the patient's body executes the healing, patients should “take it easy” for the first two to three days after each treatment. In other words, get adequate rest, be aware of emotional stress, limit high impact or intense work-outs (no bungee jumping or tabata), avoid excessive alcohol or caffeine, and keep well hydrated with water. The osteopathic physician often gives other recommendations that are specific for the individual patient.
What To Expect After a Treatment
Typically, patients feel very relaxed and peaceful after a treatment. Occasionally patients experience one or two days of feeling tired or mildly sore. This is normal and can indicate that the treatment process is continuing and that the injury pattern or dysfunction is starting to heal. The time it takes one to heal is dependent on many factors, but in general, the more chronic the issue, the longer it may take. Expect to see some signs of improvement in the issue or other markers of well being within the first 3 treatments.
Osteopathic Care As Part Of A Complete Treatment Program
Osteopathic physicians collaborate with other members of the health care team (primary care, other physician specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, acupuncturists, counselors, etc.) as needed. As part of the overall treatment plan, the osteopathic physician may also recommend dietary changes, nutritional supplements, medications, and therapeutic exercises.
It is preferable to schedule other types of constitutional treatments, such as massage, acupuncture, PT, OT, and homeopathy, more than 72 hours after Osteopathic treatments. The normal healing process takes about 72 hours to fully mature, so this timing allows the system adequate time to fully respond to each treatment before the next one is introduced.
