What is OMT? 

OMT (Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment) or OMM (Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine) is a medical procedure performed by a licensed physician who has in-depth training in hands-on medicine and neuro-musculo-skeletal system during medical school and residency. With in-depth knowledge of human physiology and pathology, an Osteopath utilizes various techniques such as cranial osteopathy, myofascial, lymphatic drainage, articulation, muscle energy, strain-counter-strain, direct adjustments (HVLA), ligamentous balance, and trigger points to restore patient’s health from illness. Osteopaths emphasize the restoration of our body’s ability to optimize the vitality and to balance of mind, body, & spirit. 

How does OMT work?

Osteopaths hold to the principle that a patient's history of illness and physical trauma are written into the body's structure. It is the Osteopath's highly developed sense of touch that allows the physician to observe a patient's "living anatomy" reflected in the flow of fluids, motion and texture of tissues, and structural make-up.

The osteopath's job is to "assist & enhance" the body to heal itself. To restore this normal function, the Osteopath gently applies a precise amount of force to promote healthy movements of the living anatomy, eliminate dysfunction in the motion of the tissues, and release compressed bones and joints. In addition, the areas being treated require proper positioning to assist the body's ability to regain normal tissue function. This treatment modality is called OMM or OMT.

What does Osteopathy treat?

Osteopathic physicians are able to treat virtually any illness or injury. Our philosophy states that the body is a unit whose parts integrally affect each other. Therefore, disease in one area affects other areas as well. 

For example, chest tightness may be the physical manifestation of an old injury to the pelvic bones from a fall resulting in restriction of motion to the lumbar sacrum region (the region between the low back and the tail bone). Thus, to relief the chronic chest tightness, the pelvic bones and the lumbar sacrum region must also be treated.  

Another example, sucking difficulty in a newborn infant may be the result of occipital condylar compression from birth trauma in which the cranial nerve controlling the sucking reflex is compressed. By restoring cranial motion through osteopathic manipulation, the cranial nerve is then decompressed and the infant will regain the sucking reflex.

What happens in treatment?

Based on the teaching of Dr. A.T. Still (1828-1917), Osteopaths treat dysfunctions in the patient's body by taking advantage of the body's natural tendency to heal itself.

Many patients frequently report feeling a deep sense of relaxation and/or flow of fluids as their pain is relieved.

How long before I'm better?

Chronic problems often develop over years. With this in mind, it stands to reason that it will require time for such an issue to be resolved (with some exception). The common ratio is often one month of treatment for every year of illness. Thus, for a patient with an acute problem (flu, muscle strain, etc.), the course of treatment is shorter because the condition is not as deep as a chronic illness.