Osteopathy – A Gentle, Hands-On Approach to Relieve Pain and Illness

Osteopathy is a gentle, hands-on approach that improves the function of your body to relieve pain and illness. It can help with musculoskeletal problems, such as neck pain or back pain, and other conditions like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, asthma, sinus and ear infections, menstrual cramps, infant colic, and much more. Our osteopaths are experienced in treating patients of all ages and can offer a full range of manual treatment techniques.

During your first visit, your osteopathic physician will examine you to determine the cause of your problem. They may ask questions about your past medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle. They might also take X-rays or laboratory tests, if necessary. Your osteopathic physician will then create a treatment plan. This will likely include osteopathic manipulation and other treatments.

The osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a system of hands-on treatment used by osteopathic physicians to diagnose and treat illness or injury. It was developed by osteopathic physician Andrew Taylor Still, who believed that every disease or illness began with structural problems in the spine. He thought that the long nerves in the spinal column connect to various organs in the body, and when the spine was misaligned, they send incorrect signals. Osteopathic manipulations can restore the correct alignment of these nerves, allowing the body to naturally heal itself.

Different osteopathic techniques have different effects. Visceral manipulation involves massaging the abdomen to relieve tension in your internal organs, called your viscera. Myofascial release is a technique that eases pain and stiffness in the damaged tissue. Craniosacral therapy uses a light touch to circulate cerebrospinal fluid throughout the body. Studies suggest that osteopathic cranial manipulation can help with respiratory and digestive disorders, including diaphragm dysfunction.