General Description of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment

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Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a hands-on system of diagnosis and treatment, designed to improve health and resolve symptoms by aligning the structures of the body and facilitating mobility. Circulation in the body (blood, lymphatic fluids, CSF, and in the nervous system) is thereby improved, and this enhances the body's ability to maintain its own health. As the structure of the body improves, so does its function.

OMT is provided by a D.O., Doctor of Osteopathy. D.O.s are fully trained and licensed physicians, who graduate from 4-year medical schools, complete post-graduate training programs, and must maintain their license by receiving continuing medical education. D.O.s practice in all specialties of medicine and are licensed in all 50 states of the US. D.O.s also practice in Canada and Europe.

Indications for Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment can be very effective in treating spinal and joint difficulties, arthritis, digestive disorders, bladder and menstrual problems, and chronic pain and illness. Strain/sprains, sciatica, back pain, tendinitis, headache, behavioral problems, colic in infants, dental problems, and symptoms related to fibromyalgia are all appropriate for an OMT consultation.

By aligning the structure of the body, the circulation and thus the overall health of the body improves. So function can usually be improved, whatever the main health problem is.

History of Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic Medicine, or Osteopathy, was first described and developed by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. Dr. Still was a civil war physician who sought to improve the medicine of his time. He developed a new system of manual diagnosis and treatment, calling it osteopathy. In this system, the functioning of the body is corrected by making manipulative changes to the structure. Dr. Still founded the first school of osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri in 1892.

Through the years osteopathic medicine continued to grow and develop as a profession, and additional schools were opened. Eventually all 50 states approved licenses for osteopathic physicians. Currently there are 21 accredited osteopathic medical colleges in the United States.

Osteopathic Philosophy
Osteopathic philosophy states that: 1. the body is a unit, and all regions and areas of the body affect one another. 2. structure and function are interrelated, and 3.the body has self-regulating, self-healing mechanisms.

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment - Techniques Described
There are many different types of osteopathic manipulative treatment, all of which have the same goal of aligning the structure of the body, in order to bring about improvements in health and functioning as discussed above. The three main types of osteopathic manipulative techniques are: Soft Tissue, Direct Osteopathic Techniques, and Indirect Osteopathic Techniques.

Soft Tissue Techniques include stretching, kneading, and inhibition. These involve pressure being applied to muscles and soft tissue, with the goal being relaxation of muscles, and thus improved circulation and function.

Direct Osteopathic Techniques include Muscle Energy. This involves the patient flexing a muscle against the physician's pressure, then relaxing their muscles while the physician coordinates the treatment to release tension and increase the range of motion of a region.

Indirect Osteopathic Techniques include Cranial Osteopathy, Indirect
Treatment, and Jones Strain/Counterstrain

Cranial Osteopathy involves working with an inherent motion in the body. There is a cyclical motion involving the nervous system and the cranial bones which can be palpated by trained physicians. Through light-touch manipulation, restrictions and asymmetries in the bones of the cranium can be improved or resolved. This improvement in symmetry and motion of the cranial bones allows improved motion of the cranium, better circulation and nerve function, and thus improved health.

Indirect Treatment or myofascial release, involves holding a musculo-skeletal structure in a position of ease, balancing it in three planes of motion, and continuing to make minute positional correction until the tissues around that structure relax. After a successful treatment, alignment and mobility are improved. Local findings such as muscle tension, and symptoms such as pain, can have an immediate change or may take more time to resolve.

Jones Strain/Counterstrain involves positioning a part of the body so that a tender point will be pain-free, holding that position for a period of time, and allowing the tissues to relax. The mechanism behind this technique is that the shortening of the muscle sends a signal to the brain causing the muscle contraction to be reduced.