Osteopathic Treatment

Manual Osteopathy is a gentle form of manual therapy (both active and passive) used in the treatment of a variety of injuries and symptoms. The Osteopathic philosophy is a holistic approach to health care that promotes the body’s ability to heal and regulate itself. The techniques are safe, drug-free, non-invasive and include procedures for treating musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction (such as, mobilizations, muscle energy techniques, therapeutic exercise, and soft tissue therapy), as well as procedures for addressing lymph drainage, craniosacral dysfunction, and organ mobility/motility. Manual Osteopaths combine these techniques to design a treatment plan specific to the needs of each patient.

Manual Osteopathy assists in treating the following conditions:

Sports Injuries

When treating sports injuries, Manual Osteopaths perform a thorough assessment and use the appropriate combination of soft tissue therapy, osteopathic joint mobilizations, and corrective exercises to return the athlete to play.

Chronic Pain

Manual Osteopaths will employ a variety of techniques to uncover and treat the root cause of the chronic pain. This could include craniosacral techniques to relax the patient and restore proper movement of the bones of the head, somatic release techniques to relieve the patient of emotional stress, soft tissue therapy to decrease muscle spasms and improve blood flow, scar tissue therapy to relieve the body of the dysfunction they cause, Osteopathic joint mobilizations to relieve pain and return proper movement to the joints and corrective exercises to relieve pain and help the body heal itself between sessions.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

When treating osteoarthritis, a Manual Osteopath will use soft tissue therapies like massage and lymphatic drainage techniques to improve the blood flow to the arthritic joint. They will then perform joint traction techniques to relieve pressure on the joint and help the blood enter the joint to provide the tissue with the nutrients it needs to heal. Osteopathic joint mobilizations are then performed to relieve pain and return the joint to its proper alignment to minimize the wear and tear it experiences to slow the progression of osteoarthritis.

Sinusitis

Manual Osteopaths treat sinus congestion by restoring the correct movement of the bones of the head to allow the body to clear its sinuses. To assist in the drainage, they then perform soft tissue therapy and lymphatic drainage techniques on the face, head and neck to improve blood and lymph circulation.

Back Pain

Manual Osteopaths use soft tissue therapies to relieve spastic muscles and adhesions of tissues to allow gentle Osteopathic joint mobilizations to be employed with greater affect in relieving pain and dysfunction in the spine. Corrective exercises, stretches and mobility exercises may be prescribed to aid the body in its healing process.

Neck Pain/Whiplash

The gentle nature of Manual Osteopathic techniques allows for the safe treatment of neck injuries like whiplash. After relieving spasm in the affected muscles using massage techniques, gentle Osteopathic joint mobilizations are performed to relieve pain and improve the alignment of the spine. Corrective exercises and mobility exercises will also be prescribed. Craniosacral therapy may be used to restore proper movement of the bones of the head if the patient is experiencing headaches or other cognitive dysfunctions.

Sciatica/SI Joint Pain

Manual Osteopaths will use soft tissue therapies to relieve muscle spasm and allow their gentle Osteopathic joint mobilizations to have a greater effect on the patient’s pain and dysfunction. Joint traction may also be used in combination with nerve flossing to decompress the sciatic nerve and remove it of any adhesions to other tissues.

Plantar Fasciitis

Manual Osteopaths perform massage and assisted stretching techniques on the calf and foot to relieve them of spastic muscles and improve blood circulation, aiding in the body’s ability to heal itself. Corrective exercises, stretching and mobility exercises are prescribed to correct the dysfunction causing the plantar fasciitis.

Headaches/Migraines

Soft tissue therapy on the muscle of the head, face and neck are performed to relieve spasm and improve blood and lymph circulation. Osteopathic joint mobilizations may also be performed to relieve pain and dysfunction in the spine allowing the body to heal itself. Manual Osteopaths will then use craniosacral therapy to restore proper movement of the bones of the head and relieve pressure in the skull.

Insomnia/Sleep Difficulties

A Manual osteopath uses somatic release techniques and craniosacral therapy to relax the patient and relieve them of anxiety or the feeling of not being able to turn your brain off when trying to sleep.

TMJ/Jaw Pain

Craniosacral therapy is employed first to relax the patient. A Manual Osteopath will then use soft tissue therapy on the muscles and connective tissues of the face, jaw and neck followed by Osteopathic joint mobilizations on the temporomandibular joint to relieve pain and clenching of the jaw and restore its proper function.

Digestive problems - Irritable Bowel/Constipation/Bloating

Manual Osteopaths use organ manipulations to improve the mobility of the organs, allowing them to move and change shape to help with digestion. These manipulations also improve the organ’s motility which is the ability of the muscles of the digestive organs to contract and aid in breaking down food and moving it through the digestive system.

Anxiety/Stress

Using a light touch, a Manual Osteopath will use craniosacral therapy and somatic release techniques to help the patient relax and improve their body’s healing abilities to relieve physical, psychological and emotional stress.

Post-Concussion Syndrome

Impacts to the head can affect the way the bones of the head move which can lead to migraines, cognitive dysfunctions and changes in mental health. A Manual Osteopath will use gentle touch of craniosacral therapy to restore the proper movement of these bones and help alleviate concussion symptoms.

Edema/Inflamation

A combination of soft tissue therapy, lymphatic drainage techniques and Osteopathic joint mobilizations and/or Osteopathic organ massage techniques are used by a Manual Osteopath to reduce the edema/inflammation and allow the body to heal itself.