Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy
What is Osteopathic Medicine?
Our medical training centralizes the osteopathic approach: a holistic philosophy that emphasizes understanding the interconnectedness between the body’s anatomical and functional components and their fluidity with life experiences (i.e., physical and mental development, stressors, and trauma). At the core, osteopathic medicine therefore teaches that we recognize the body’s natural need to grow, evolve, and heal itself around the pressures of life and environment over time.
What is Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy?
Osteopathic manipulative, or manual, therapy (OMT) is meant to enhance these inherent abilities of the body, mind, and spirit to balance in health with the diagnosis and treatment of dysfunctions impeding recovery and to support the prevention of prolonged illness or injury. Our diagnostic skills and our restorative, or healing abilities in OMT are integral to our profession as osteopathic physicians.
What are some examples of health problems that OMT can be used to treat?
Neuromusculoskeletal
Pain & Dysfunction
Acute or chronic pain related to inflammation, spasm, circulation, hypomobility & restrictions, impingement, sciatica & piriformis syndrome, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, frozen shoulder, Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, sprains & strains, fibromyalgia, pelvic dysfunction, hypersensitivities
Headaches
Tension, migraine, cervicogenic headaches
Digestive Issues
Constipation, Irritable bowel syndrome, motility problems, reflux (adults and children), adhesions
Mental Wellness
Tensions related to stress and anxiety
Acute Illness
Inflammation
Sinus, respiratory, and lymphatic congestion, neuromuscular tension
Pediatric
Constipation, reflux, congestion, colic, torticollis, plagiocephaly, otitis media-related pain and inflammation, chronic headaches, growing pains, hypomobility
OMT treatments are conducted as medically indicated by somatic dysfunctions diagnosed and evaluated by the physician.
OMT Modalities
Dr. Marshall and Dr. Khant have experience in both direct and indirect OMT modalities.
The chronicity, severity, and depth of somatic dysfunctions are unique to every individual, requiring varying periods and repetitions of treatment over time for maximal healing and preventive support.
Muscle Energy
Uses the patient’s own muscle contractions to help release muscle tightness, improve range of motion, and promote overall healing and relaxation.
Facilitated Positional Release & Myofascial Release
Soft tissue techniques that focus on the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles, bones, and organs, by applying gentle, sustained pressure to areas of fascial tightness or restriction, with gliding of the tissue or skin to gradually stretch and release restrictions, thereby improving tissue mobility.
Counterstrain
A gentle, positional release technique that focuses on the relationship between muscle strain and its surrounding tissue. Tender points are identified in the muscle or connective tissue and the body positioned in a way for a period of time that shortens the muscle and relieves the strain.
Direct Soft Tissue
Involves application of direct pressure to manipulate the restricted muscles and tissues to address areas of tension, adhesions, and to improve circulation.
Still Technique
Involves a non-invasive technique of using the position of ease, then gentle stretch and release of restriction of a joint through its range of motion.
High Velocity Low Amplitude
A precise technique involving a quick, controlled, and low amplitude thrust to a joint to restore mobility and alignment, alleviate pain, and improve function.
Indirect Soft Tissue
Involves gently moving tissue into a position of ease or comfort, allowing the muscles and tissues to slowly relax and release.
Balanced Ligamentous Tension
A low-force manipulation that focuses on rebalancing the position of tight, overstretched, or injured ligaments surrounding a joint, which connect bones together to provide stability and support.
Cranial Osteopathy
Use of light, highly subtle techniques targeted at the craniosacral system (the neurocranium, viscerocranium, the brain, spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid, meninges, and autonomic nervous system) and surrounding tissues to restore flow and rhythm.