Osteopathy

OSTEOPATHY: HEALING HANDS

A physician can be an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or a DO (Doctor of Osteopathy). Both MD’s and DO’s go to medical school in the United States. Aside from acquiring medical knowledge, osteopathic physicians also learn how to work with their hands.  

Osteopaths Work With Their Hands

4 TENETS OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE

  1. The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit.
  2. The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance.
  3. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
  4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function.

TECHNIQUES USED

We use various techniques on the muscles and bones, including: stretching of muscles, isometric muscle energy movements, high velocity techniques.  We also work on organs (ex. diaphragm for breathing issues, stomach and esophagus for acid reflux), nerves and even the cranial bones.  I, personally, combine:

  • Osteopathy in the cranial field
  • Organ manipulation
  • Muscle energy
  • High and low velocity techniques
  • Myofascial release
  • Reiki
  • Cupping

TREATED BY OMT

  • Most musculoskeletal pain and structural misalignment
  • Acute and chronic pain in the back and joints
  • Nerve impingement: sciatica, occipital nerve, carpal tunnel
  • Relaxing the parasympathetic nervous system, aiding in sleep, digestion, breathing
  • Headache
  • Tinnitus
  • GERD/Heartburn
  • Breathing

SIDE EFFECTS: VERY MILD

  • Soreness
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Bruising