Oestopathic Manipulation

Osteopathic manipulation is a hands-on method of treatment also called osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT). Osteopathic doctors understand how all of the systems in your body affect each other and work together. They treat your body, mind, and spirit as part of one interlinked system.

Osteopathic manipulation helps to restore structural imbalances. It also improves nerve function and blood circulation, promoting natural healing. Osteopathic doctors use manipulation to treat musculoskeletal pain, dysfunction, and other health problems.

Your osteopathic doctor at Integrative Family Medicine and Urgent Care also uses osteopathic manipulation to help with diagnosis, prevent disease, and improve everyday functioning.

Osteopathic manipulation is probably best known for treating back pain and sciatica. But it’s equally effective for arthritis and other kinds of joint pain, neck pain, overuse injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, and sports injuries.

Osteopathic manipulation can also help with many other conditions, including:

• Asthma
• Sinus infections
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Constipation
• Fibromyalgia
• Menstrual pain
• Migraines
• Edema (swelling)
• Insomnia

Osteopathic manipulation can also help pregnant women sleep and relieve the pain of colic in infants.

Osteopathic manipulation is part of the functional medicine approach used at Integrative Family Medicine and Urgent Care. That means your osteopathic doctor doesn’t just treat your symptoms; they use functional or holistic methods to determine what’s causing your condition and help you regain optimal health.

At your consultation, your osteopathic doctor does a physical exam and medical history review, and spends time going over aspects of your life like:

• Mental and physical health
• Exercise and activity levels
• Diet
• Environment
• Lifestyle
• Sleep habits
• Stress levels
• Family health history

The more information you provide your osteopathic doctor, the clearer the picture they get of all of the influences on your health. That means they can provide the most effective treatments.

During the osteopathic manipulation, you might stand, sit, or lie down, depending on the treatment you need. Your osteopathic doctor knows more than 40 osteopathic manipulation techniques and may use one or several to address your symptoms.

Your osteopathic doctor uses gentle manipulation and pressure to stretch your muscles and move your joints so they’re correctly aligned. They might use fast, sudden manipulations or slow, continuous pressure. Some movements can feel slightly strange or awkward, but they shouldn’t be painful.

After osteopathic manipulation, you might feel sleepy and a little sore, or you could find your energy levels increase — everyone responds differently. You should also notice a swift improvement in your symptoms following your treatment. You might need several sessions for maximum effect.