Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a hands-on technique used by osteopathic physicians (DOs) to diagnose and treat various illnesses or injuries. It is gentle, has very few side effects, and is tolerated by most individuals ranging from newborns to older adults.
- Musculoskeletal Issues: OMT can help with musculoskeletal problems including back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and muscle tension. It aims to improve joint mobility, relieve muscle tension, and enhance overall function.
- Pain Management: Managing acute and chronic pain conditions is a particular area of expertise for OMT. Sometimes it is the exclusive modality of treatment, other times it is incorporated into a holistic approach that includes medication with other therapies; depending on the patient’s needs and values. This area of treatment also includes fibromyalgia or pain from chronic autoimmune conditions.
- Postural Issues: Being out of alignment is a common issue which OMT techniques can address. Frequently people will refer to postural imbalances having alignment issues when looking to describe their complaints. Postural imbalances can occur during the birthing process and at any point in life from gentle repetitive motions or more significant trauma based problems from vehicle accidents, falls, or other trauma based injuries
- Headaches: Improving circulation, tension alignment, and muscle tightness provides most headaches with some element of immediate relief with additional long term control after several treatments.
- Digestive Disorders: Visceral techniques can adjust speed, motility, and various functions of specific organs to help with IBS, constipation, post-gastritis pain, MALS, and other chronic digestive disorders. It can also improve pain and function from inflammatory bowel disorders like Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis.
- Pregnancy-Related Pain: OMT can help pregnant women manage discomfort such as lower back pain and pelvic pain through gentle techniques adapted for pregnancy. It can also help postpartum with sacral and pelvic dysfunctions that are acquired. OMT is a useful modality for improving latch and milk production after birth providing a natural option for mother’s to enhance the care of their newborn.
- Athletic Performance: Enhancing athletic performance by improving joint mobility, flexibility, and muscle function is a common use for OMT. We frequently have athletes young and old alike comment on how much easier it is to take deep breaths or feeling like their gait has improved with the alignment changes.
- Respiratory Conditions: Improving respiratory function and aiding in the clearance of respiratory secretions for various sinus conditions including ear infections, allergies, sinusitis, and other facial/sinus conditions.
- Overall Well-Being: Self-healing and self-repair are some of the core tenets of Osteopathic philosophy. Beyond specific conditions, OMT is understood to promote general health and well-being by supporting the body’s natural healing processes and improving circulation and lymphatic drainage.