Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment

OMT involves the gentle “hands on” diagnosis and treatment of somatic dysfunction.

Somatic dysfunction (S/D) is diagnosed by examining the body for altered joint function, gait (walking) problems, decreased range of motion, muscle spasm, and other causes that may contribute to pain or impair physiologic function.

S/D cannot be diagnosed by imaging (x-rays, MRI, CT scan, etc.).

S/D is commonly found in all age groups ranging from newly born infants to the elderly.

Treatment of Somatic Dysfunction in hip joint.

The presence of S/D can either induce a new or aggravate nearly any pre-existent illness of both men and women.

For this reason, OMT is helpful  in treating both ambulatory and hospitalized patients.

Once present, somatic dysfunction often complicates a patient’s condition. The following is a non-exhaustive list of symptoms/diagnoses for which OMT may be beneficial:

Migraines/headaches         Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Neck Pain                             Tennis Elbow/Golfer’s Elbow

Shoulder Pain                      TMJ

Knee Pain                              Muscle Spasms                                    

Low Back Pain                     Scoliosis

Generalized Back Pain        Asthma/COPD

Hip Pain                                 Torticollis

Extremity Pain                      Plagiocephaly

Plantar Fasciitis                    Cerebral Palsy  

Otitis Media                           Sprains and Strains  

Pain Associated with pregnancy/postpartum, arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, dermatomyositis

A doctor’s decision to use OMT is made on a visit-by-visit basis, depending on the condition of the patient and the S/D identified.  The number of visits required is different for each patient.

There are two common misconceptions about OMT.

The first is that something is “out of place” and second, that “an adjustment” is given to realign it.  It is not that something is out of place, instead it is restricted within its normal range of motion.

OMT is not an adjustment, rather it is the removal of restriction which enables normal range of motion.

By combining OMT with all available medical care, physicians can offer their patients a form of comprehensive health care.