What is osteopathic manipulative treatment

Osteopathic manipulative medicine OMM is a comprehensive approach to health care in which osteopathic physicians DOs apply osteopathic philosophy, structural diagnosis and use of osteopathic manipulative treatment OMT in the diagnosis and management of patients. As part of their osteopathic medical school studies, DOs receive extra training in manipulating the musculoskeletal system—your body's interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of your body mass.

This training in osteopathic manipulative medicine OMM provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of how an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect another. The art and science of OMM pertain to the assessment of the impact of the malfunctioning neuromusculoskeletal systems on health and disease, and designing appropriate interventions which often include some form of OMT.

There are approximately 15 major types of OMT and more than 1, individual techniques. OMM is incorporated into the training of all osteopathic physicians. With OMM, DOs use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage your body's natural tendency toward good health.

By combining all other medical procedures with OMM, DOs offer their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today. The osteopathic curriculum involves four years of academic study, with an emphasis on preventive medicine and holistic patient care.

DOs serve a one-year internship, gaining hands-on experience in family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics-gynecology, pediatrics and surgery. This experience ensures that osteopathic physicians are first trained as primary care physicians—even if they plan to pursue a specialty. Another difference between OMT and Chiropractic involves the number of visits it takes to experience relief from the treatment.

OMT sessions are longer and typically provide relief in three visits or less. Other differences in care include examination methods used to establish a treatment plan. Chiropractors usually use x-rays for diagnosis, whereas OMT relies upon diagnostic methods that minimize your radiation exposure.

At Phoenix Integrative Medical Center, we incorporate conventional medicine modalities with Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment to provide you with the most comprehensive medical care to promote overall health and well-being. If you are ready for relief, call us for an appointment today! Get the latest updates in therapies, offers, and expert insight delivered right to your inbox. January 14, 0 Comments. General , Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy.

What is a DO? What is Osteopathic Medicine? Although OMT is used to treat muscle pain, it can also provide relief for: Asthma Sinus disorders Carpal tunnel syndrome Migraines It can also assist with a wide range of clinical conditions, from shortening hospital recovery time to alleviating pain, improving childhood asthma and infant colic.

We have also seen OMT relieve a vast number of other health problems, including: Carpal tunnel syndrome Ear and sinus disorders Migraines Irritable bowel syndrome Menstrual pain Low back pain Just about any person of any age with any condition can get OMT. OMT includes 40 different techniques, including: Soft tissue: Your DO gently stretches and puts pressure on your muscles. Muscle energy: You move your muscles in a specific direction while the doctor counters your movement in a push-pull scenario.

Myofascial release: Fascia is the layer of connective tissue surrounding your muscles, bones, and organs. Your doctor uses firm but gentle pressure to release tension in the fascia.

Common forms of manipulation used today that a patient may encounter include:. With the patient sitting or lying down on a table, the doctor of osteopathic medicine will gently apply a precise amount of manual pressure in a specific direction.

The pressure is applied either directly in the affected areas or at some distance away. It is used to put the tissues at ease relaxed or to engage them at their functional limit in order to effect the following:. Qualifications for an Osteopathic Doctor DO.