Osteopathy

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What is Osteopathy? 

Osteopathy is a manual therapy that stems from its own unique philosophy. At the core of this philosophy are four principal tenets:

1.  Each structure in the body supports the body’s functions.

2. The natural flow of the body’s fluids – lymphatic, vascular and neurological – must be preserved and maintained.
3. The human body is the sum of its parts. Its physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and cognitive systems don’t work independently – they work in harmony.
4. When the body has no restrictions, it has the inherent ability to heal itself.

Osteopathic manual therapists hold a view of the body as a whole, understanding how all its systems work together and how various dysfunctions can develop when those systems are not in harmony.



How do Osteopathic Manual Practitioners work?

SOFT TISSUE MANIPULATION

Soft tissue manipulation can be used in many different ways. This method is used to evaluate the condition of tissues, ease restrictions, help the body’s fluids (blood, lymph, etc.) flow smoothly and restore function. Optimal neuro-vascular flow helps to reduce harmful fluid retention and allows the body’s immune system to work more effectively. Throughout the care, Osteopathic Manual Practitioners will continuously check on the state of the body’s tissues. The goal is to gently guide the tissue back to health without over-treating.

OSTEOPATHIC ARTICULAR TECHNIQUE

The osteopathic articular technique, involving gently moving two joint surfaces, is used to reduce muscle spasms, ease neurological irritations, assist in joint mobility and help reduce pain and discomfort. It is a less forceful technique than joint manipulation. Osteopathic Manual Practitioners will carefully prepare the soft tissues around the treatment area, positioning the patient so that there is minimal (if any) force needed to perform the maneuver.

CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY

As the gentlest osteopathic technique, Cranial Osteopathy is also one of the most significant. It is used to assess and treat the mobility of the skull and its contents. It may also be used to assess and treat the spine, sacrum and other parts of the body. The goal of this technique is to adjust the body’s physiology by restoring balance and optimal neuro-vascular flow surrounding the Central Nervous System and all of its autonomic centers. Osteopathic Manual Practitioners achieve this by treating the body’s inherent biorhythm. Osteopathic Manual Practitioners trained in this technique can feel this rhythm in the patient’s head, spinal cord, and in the sacrum and the rest of the body.

VISCERAL MANIPULATION

Visceral Manipulation is used to effectively treat organs and viscera of the body, including the lungs, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, pancreas, intestines, the bladder and the uterus. Osteopathic Manual Practitioners will gently move the structures themselves and the fascia that surrounds them to restore full movement. Applied with gentle pressure, visceral manipulation corrections can improve the mobility of an organ, improve neuro-vascular flow surrounding the organ and ultimately help maximize organ function.

Is Osteopathic Manual Therapy right for you? 

Osteopathic Manual Practitioners are able to help with the following types of problems:

If you are unsure if you could benefit from Osteopathic Manual Practice and would like to know more, please do not hesitate to call with any questions.