Your osteopathic doctor can treat a wide range of medical conditions using a variety of treatment options. One of those treatment options is osteopathic manipulative treatment.
Osteopathic manipulative treatment, also known as OMT, involves hands-on therapeutic techniques to manipulate muscles and joints to regain optimal health. Osteopathic manipulative treatment uses multiple techniques which include:
- Direct methods, which use an activating motion to increase range-of-motion
- Indirect methods, which involve moving the body to a healthful position during treatment
- Combined methods, which use both direct and indirect methods to achieve optimal health
OMT is a treatment option to relieve chronic pain, especially due to degenerative conditions like arthritis, and various musculoskeletal conditions like neck and lower back pain.
There are many benefits you will enjoy from OMT, including:
- Decreased pain, and potentially decreased need for medication
- Increased overall wellness and function level
- Decreased severity of symptoms
- Improvement in structural issues involving joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles
OMT may also be used in combination with medication and other therapies to manage:
- Asthma and other breathing issues
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches and migraines
Before OMT is initiated, your osteopathic doctor will perform a thorough examination and evaluation, considering these important factors:
- Your symptoms
- Lifestyle factors
- Medical history
- Diet and exercise level
- Sleeping patterns
- Mental health issues
During your OMT appointment, you may be standing, sitting, or lying on a table. Your osteopathic doctor may use:
- Massage, to relax muscles
- Stretching, to relieve stiffness in your joints
- Articulation, to increase range-of-motion
- High velocity movements, to increase circulation
After your OMT appointment, it’s important for you to:
- Drink lots of water to stay hydrated
- Do gentle activities like walking
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours
Osteopathic manipulative treatment can provide another treatment option for a wide range of medical conditions. To learn more about osteopathic manipulative treatment and how it can help you, talk with your osteopathic doctor today.