Osteopathic Medicine is Based on the Following Principles:
• The body is a unit.
• Structure and function are reciprocally inter-related.
• The body possesses self-regulatory mechanisms.
• The body has the inherent capacity to defend and repair itself.
• When the body's normal adaptability is disrupted, or when environmental changes overcome the body’s capacity for self maintenance, disease may ensue.
• The movement of body fluids is essential to the maintenance of health and the nerves play a crucial part in controlling the fluids of the body.
• There are somatic components to disease that are not only manifestations of disease, but also factors that contribute to maintenance of the disease state.
Osteopathic Practice Incorporates the Osteopathic Principles into five basic models which provide the basis for Practice
Postural, Structural, or Biomechanics Model — focused primarily on the treatment of the musculoskeletal system for the relief of pain and improvement of motion. The Model is based on the close interrelationship of structure and function.
Neurological Model — seeks to influence the sensory, motor, or autonomic nervous systems and other associated reflexes at a variety of sites including the thoracic, upper lumbar spine, cervical ganglia, and local neuromuscular connections.
Respiratory/Circulatory Model — acts to influence the movement of fluid, such as lymph or blood, to improve respiratory capacity, reduce the work of breathing, treat cardiac and respiratory problems, and remove edema. These techniques are directed to areas such as the thorax, diaphragm, ribs, and spine.
Biodynamic/Bioenergy Model — is based on the inherent energies of the body. Techniques which employ this model include cranial osteopathy, visceral manipulation and various biodynamic lymphatic, soft tissue and motion assessment techniques.
The Psycho-Behavioral Model — seeks to influence perceptions of pain, illness and disability through hands-on treatment which result in relief of anxiety, stress, and other mental/emotional conditions.
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
The approach of Healing Hands Osteopathic Medical Clinic is to incorporate the elements of Osteopathic Principles, Models, and Practice to the fullest extent possible to promote total health by applying the techniques of Manual Medicine, and Dynamic Cranial treatments which have all developed within the framework of the Osteopathic Approach to health.
OMT is hands-on care which involves using hands to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. OMT offers the added dimension of using the hands to aid in both diagnosis and treatment. Osteopaths are trained to use their hands to evaluate tissue texture, asymmetry, range of motion, and temperature changes. In addition, the hands are used to detect fascial movements and the subtle movements of Primary Respiration (the ebb and flow of CSF fluid associated with a rhythmic motion throughout the body). The information gained through the hand provides several clues to aid in diagnosis. The hands are also used in various ways to affect treatment and also to monitor the body’s response to treatment.
What Disorders can OMT Potentially Help?
Because osteopathy is a healthcare system rather than a modality, its uses and applications are varied. Generally, many patients initially seek osteopathic care for aches, pains, strains, sprains, headaches, and other common musculoskeletal problems. However, since there are numerous evaluation and manual treatment approaches, many health problems can be and have been successfully addressed with osteopathic manipulation. Studies have shown positive effects with the following conditions:
• Bell's palsy
• Degenerative disc and joint disease
• Ear infections
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Reflux Tendonitis
Some of the benefits of treatment can include a noticeable increase in range of motion and restoration of function, a reduction of pain or painful spasm, and an increase in the ability of the body to fight disease (i.e. stimulate the immune system). Patients have often reported a deep relaxation or restfulness during treatment while others may fall asleep. As in most forms of medical treatment, no specific results can be guaranteed.
The Goals of OMT
• Relief of pain and reduction of other symptoms
• Removal of impediments to normal nerve transmission
• Improvement of function (neural, lymphatic, respiratory, circulatory) and increased functional movement of muscles
• improved blood supply and delivery of nutrition
• Restoration of adequate flow of fluids through lymphatic, venous, CNS circulatory systems
Using OMT, the osteopathic physician (D.O.) positions and facilitates the movement of muscles and joints using techniques that may incorporate stretching, gentle pressure, and resistance.
The Philosophy of OMT
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment is a form of treatment based on the concept that the structure of the human body influences the function. The goal of Osteopathic treatment is to improve the body’s structure, and thereby enable the body to function at a higher level of health. Osteopathic philosophy also stresses holistic and preventive care.
DISCLAIMER: The contents of this site are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
What is a D.O.?
An Osteopathic Physician, or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.), is a fully licensed physician who is trained to promote health, to prescribe medications, to perform surgery, and to to diagnose and treat medical conditions, much like an Allopathic Physician, or Medical Doctor (M.D.). In addition, Osteopathic Physicians approach healing based on the wholistic Osteopathic principles of structure-function relationship and of the body's self healing design. Osteopathic Physicians are trained to use their hands to assess and integrate the structural-functional condition of their patients by applying Osteopathic Manipulative treatments.
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