“Every cell and all the fluids of the body express this rhythmic, involuntary “life and motion” throughout life. This mobility and motility are important factors in maintaining health in the vital homeostasis of structure and function for the central nervous system, the endocrine system, and other units of function within body physiology. “ Becker, Rollin E. in foreword to Teachings in the Science of Osteopathy by Sutherland, William Garner, edited by Wales, Anne L. page x. Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation, Fort Worth, TX, 1990.
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)
Developed more than 140 years ago by Andrew Taylor Still, osteopathic medicine brings a unique philosophy to traditional medical care. Osteopathic Medicine is a whole-person approach to healthcare, considering the body, mind, and spirit of each individual. Osteopathic physicians (DOs) assist the patient’s innate capacity to heal by addressing the interrelationship of the body’s nerves, vessels, organs, and musculoskeletal structures. Osteopathic Medicine combines conventional medical care with a focus on the interrelationship between the structure and function of the body. DOs learn to see an interrelated unity among all systems of the body, working together in growth, development, healing, and aging. DOs use OMM to optimize the body's natural healing systems. DOs consider multiple pathophysiologic care models including: biomechanical, respiratory/circulatory, neurological, metabolic/energetic, and behavioral. Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) includes a medical evaluation of health, evaluation of lifestyle factors that play a role in health, and hands-on osteopathic treatment to optimize balanced function as a whole person.
Like allopathic physicians (MDs), osteopathic physicians (DOs) go to medical school and complete internships, residencies and fellowships, which prepare them to become licensed and board-certified. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine practice their distinct philosophy in all types of settings (offices, hospitals, surgical suites) and in every medical specialty.
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
During OMT, an osteopathic physician uses their hands to evaluate and treat the parts of a person to help them to work together as a whole. Through a gentle evaluation and treatment, the osteopathic physician moves the structures of the body using techniques that could include stretching, resistance, and gentle pressure. There can be occasional sensations of articulation (“popping”) as the joints realign themselves in a more optimal position. The osteopathic physician positions structures, enabling the inherent forces within the body to maximize healthy function. Oftentimes the patient is actively involved by helping the physician by creating resistance and other times the patient is passively resting during treatment. It is not uncommon for patients to fall asleep during treatment. OMT can be helpful for people of all ages. Some of the benefits of OMT are improved mobility, faster healing, decreased stress and tension, decreased pain, improved bowel function, and better sleep. Osteopathic treatment is tailored to each individual person optimize that individual’s health for their individual circumstances.
Conditions Commonly Treated With OMT:
Types of OMT
Developed more than 140 years ago by Andrew Taylor Still, osteopathic medicine brings a unique philosophy to traditional medical care. Osteopathic Medicine is a whole-person approach to healthcare, considering the body, mind, and spirit of each individual. Osteopathic physicians (DOs) assist the patient’s innate capacity to heal by addressing the interrelationship of the body’s nerves, vessels, organs, and musculoskeletal structures. Osteopathic Medicine combines conventional medical care with a focus on the interrelationship between the structure and function of the body. DOs learn to see an interrelated unity among all systems of the body, working together in growth, development, healing, and aging. DOs use OMM to optimize the body's natural healing systems. DOs consider multiple pathophysiologic care models including: biomechanical, respiratory/circulatory, neurological, metabolic/energetic, and behavioral. Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) includes a medical evaluation of health, evaluation of lifestyle factors that play a role in health, and hands-on osteopathic treatment to optimize balanced function as a whole person.
Like allopathic physicians (MDs), osteopathic physicians (DOs) go to medical school and complete internships, residencies and fellowships, which prepare them to become licensed and board-certified. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine practice their distinct philosophy in all types of settings (offices, hospitals, surgical suites) and in every medical specialty.
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
During OMT, an osteopathic physician uses their hands to evaluate and treat the parts of a person to help them to work together as a whole. Through a gentle evaluation and treatment, the osteopathic physician moves the structures of the body using techniques that could include stretching, resistance, and gentle pressure. There can be occasional sensations of articulation (“popping”) as the joints realign themselves in a more optimal position. The osteopathic physician positions structures, enabling the inherent forces within the body to maximize healthy function. Oftentimes the patient is actively involved by helping the physician by creating resistance and other times the patient is passively resting during treatment. It is not uncommon for patients to fall asleep during treatment. OMT can be helpful for people of all ages. Some of the benefits of OMT are improved mobility, faster healing, decreased stress and tension, decreased pain, improved bowel function, and better sleep. Osteopathic treatment is tailored to each individual person optimize that individual’s health for their individual circumstances.
Conditions Commonly Treated With OMT:
- Dental: Jaw Pain, Orthodontic Problems, TMJ Disorder/clenching, Malocclusion
- Ear, Nose, and Throat: Chronic Ear Infections, Chronic Tonsillitis, Sinusitis
- Gastrointestinal: Chronic Abdominal Pain, GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), Constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Nausea, Pelvic Adhesions, Hemorrhoids, Biliary Cholic
- Genetic: Congenital Malformations, Muscular Dystrophy, Ehlers-Danlos, Cystic Fibrosis, Scleroderma
- Genitourinary: Bedwetting, Prostatitis, Interstitial Cystitis, Pelvic Pain, Stress Incontinence, Kidney Stones
- Neurological: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Degenerative Disc Disease, Dizziness and Vertigo, Head Trauma, Headaches, Post Concussion Syndrome, Post-MVA Injury (Whiplash), Sciatica, Seizure Disorder, Spinal Stenosis, Visual Disturbances
- Orthopedic: Gait Disorder, Kyphosis, Lordosis, Postural Imbalance, Scoliosis, Short Leg Syndrome, Spondylolisthesis
- Pediatric, ADD, ADHD, Autism, Behavioral Problems, Cerebral Palsy, Colic, Developmental Delay, Failure to Thrive, Learning Disorder, Otitis Media (ear infections), Plagiocephaly (misshaped head), Spitting Up, Strabismus (crossed eyes or lazy eye), Breastfeeding/bottlefeeding Difficulties
- Pregnancy: Breach, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Groin Pain, Varicose Veins, Leg Swelling, Constipation, Heartburn, Headaches, Prevention of Labor Problems
- Psychiatric: Anxiety, Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sleep Disturbances
- Respiratory: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Cystic Fibrosis, Frequent Colds, Recurrent Sore Throat
- Somatic: Joint pain, Arthritis, Chest Wall Pain, Fibromyalgia, Neck/Back pain
Types of OMT
- Balanced Ligamentous Tension (BLT) developed along with balanced membranous tension and the cranial concept by William Garner Sutherland, DO. It can be direct and indirect, active (with patient postural and respiratory cooperation) and passive. It uses pressure and gentle compression or traction to balance the interconnection between the bones and connective tissues. The ligamentous articular mechanism is the body's collection of levers, pulleys, and straps guiding the bones in their relationship with each other.
- Traditional (or Biodynamic) Osteopathy developed by James Jealous, DO, emphasizes traditional osteopathic principles to bring about a neutral/balanced state in the autonomic nervous system so it is free to shift in any direction as it brings about healing.
- Cranial Osteopathy William Garner Sutherland, DO was an osteopathic physician in the 1940′s. After many years of study, he developed a treatment approach that involves the subtle motion and inherent relationships between the bones, membranes and fluids of the skull, spinal column, and sacrum. Like other osteopathic treatment modalities, it is based on a strong understanding of anatomy and physiology, in particular of the central nervous system and a palpable innate rhythm called the primary respiratory mechanism.
- Facilitated Positional Release Developed by Stanley Shiowitz, DO, FPR is an indirect, passive technique that uses positioning with gentle compression or traction to improve hypertonic muscles and fascial restrictions
- High Velocity Low Amplitude (HVLA) is direct and passive. It involves a precisely directed and gentle thrust to a specific area of the body to improve alignment and release tension.
- Muscle Energy Technique developed by the DOs Fred Mitchell Sr. and Jr., Is direct and active, engaging muscles to help correct tone and reposition joints to a relationship of better motion quality and quantity
- Myofascial Release is a direct and indirect, passive technique that stretches and releases stress and strain patterns within the soft tissue (muscles and fascia) that interconnects all the parts of the body.
- Still Technique is a direct, passive technique that uses positioning with gentle compression or traction and then smooth movement through restrictive barriers to improve joint range and quality of motion
- Strain-Counterstrain developed by Lawrence H. Jones, DO, is an indirect and passive technique that involves the identification of counterstrain tenderpoints and placing the body in a position of comfort to to eliminate the inappropriate stretch reflex of strain to decrease tension and spasm within these areas.
- Trigger Points were discovered by two MDs: Travell and Simons. They are treated with stretching, myofascial release, home exercises, cooling spray/stretching, and lidocaine injections
- Visceral Developed by French Osteopath Jean-Pierre Barral, visceral technique releases stress and strain patterns within the organs and their connective tissue (fascia). It improves organ functioning by increasing freedom of movement, circulation, nerve function, and lymphatic flow.