Effects and Forms of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
There are different forms of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT):
Muscle Energy Technique – The patient voluntarily moves a body part from a precisely controlled position against a defined resistance by the osteopathic physician. The purpose is to progressively improve mobility of a joint.
Strain-Counterstrain Technique – This involves finding tender points and then passively manipulating associated joints until the tenderness decreases. Like muscle-energy work, strain-counter-strain progressively increases range of motion and decreases pain.
Myofascial Release – This focuses on the fascial tissues that surround muscles. The practitioner palpates the fascial tissues, looking for a subtle sensation that indicates the tissues are ready to “unwind” and then helps the tissue to follow a pattern of spontaneous movement. This process is repeated over several sessions until a full release is achieved.
Cranial Osteopathy – Osteopathy in the cranial field is a specialized technique based on the belief that the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord undergo a rhythmic pulsation. This “cranial rhythm” is supposed to cause subtle movements of the bones of the skull. A practitioner of cranial osteopathy is able to detect and work with these natural rhythms of the body, leading to increased range of joint motion and less pain.
What Is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) Used For?
At the discretion of the osteopath, OMT is used as a key component of the management plan in conjunction with medications, surgery, education and lifestyle counseling. OMT is primarily used to treat musculoskeletal pain conditions, such as back pain, shoulder pain, arthritis, and tension headaches. Some advocates of OMT believe that it has numerous other benefits, including:
Upper respiratory infections;
Fibromyalgia;
Asthma;
Carpal tunnel syndrome;
Pneumonia;
Bronchitis;
Overall health and well-being.
There is scientific evidence that OMT is helpful for the treatment of any musculoskeletal condition. Most studies of OMT have involved its potential use for various pain conditions:
Neck Pain – In a study of 183 people with neck pain, use of osteopathic methods provided greater benefits than standard physical therapy or general medical care. 12 Participants receiving OMT showed faster recovery and experienced fewer days off work. OMT appeared to be less expensive overall than the other two approaches.
Shoulder Pain – In a 14-week, single-blind study of 29 elderly people with shoulder pain, real OMT proved more effective than placebo OMT. Although participants in both groups improved, those in the treated group showed relatively greater increase in ranges of motion in the shoulder. In a larger study of 150 adults with shoulder complaints, researchers found that adding manipulative therapy to usual care improved shoulder and neck pain.
Tendonitis – In a small randomized, placebo-controlled trial, researchers used oscillating-energy manual therapy, (an osteopathic technique based on the principle of cranio-sacral therapy) to treat 23 subjects with chronic tendonitis of the elbow, (tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis). Subjects in the treatment group showed significant improvement in grip strength, pain intensity, function and activity limitation due to pain.
Fibromyalgia – Twenty-four women with fibromyalgia were divided into five groups: standard care, standard care plus OMT, standard care plus an educational approach, standard care plus moist heat, and standard care plus moist heat and OMT. The results indicated that OMT plus standard care was better than standard care alone and that OMT was more effective than less specific treatments, such as moist heat or general education.
Tension Headaches – A study of 28 people with tension headaches compared one session of OMT against two forms of sham treatment and found evidence that real treatment provided a greater improvement in headache pain.
Back Pain – OMT was found to be a superior alternative to conventional medical care in the treatment of back pain. A much smaller study reportedly found that muscle energy technique enhanced recovery from back pain.
Surgery – Some studies have evaluated the potential benefits of OMT for speeding healing in people recovering from surgery or serious illness. The best of these studies compared OMT against light touch in 58 elderly people hospitalized for pneumonia. The results indicate that use of osteopathy aided recovery.
Other Conditions – A small study found some evidence that OMT might be helpful for childhood asthma.
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence supporting Osteopathy. Call us now to discuss your problem: 0792 100 4705.
Safety of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment:
Most forms of OMT, because of their gentle nature, are believed to be quite safe. However, mild short-term, self-limited discomfort may occur immediately following treatment. Rarely has there been a report of serious injury as a result of OMT. If you have any problems, or your symptoms persist, then please call the Sports Injuries Specialist – Registered Osteopath immediately for exceptional results:
Treatment: Harrow Osteopath, Wembley Osteopath, Chelsea Osteopath – The Sports Injuries Specialist – Registered Osteopath. Regulated: Harrow Osteopath, Wembley Osteopath, Chelsea Osteopath – The Sports Injuries Specialist – Registered Osteopath. How neck pain – back pain – lower back pain is treated at Harrow Osteopaths, Wembley Osteopaths, Chelsea Osteopaths by The Sports Injuries Specialist – Registered Osteopath.
If you are in Extreme Pain or require Orthotics, then call the Sports Injuries Specialist – Registered Osteopath Now!
ZAHIR CHAUDHARY, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), ND, M Ost.Med
EMAIL: emergencyosteopath@gmail.com
CONTACT: 0208 423 6209; 079 2100 4705
WEB: https://www.sportsinjuriesspecialist.co.uk
CHELSEA OSTEOPATHS, 208 FULHAM ROAD, CHELSEA. LONDON. SW10 9PJ.
HARROW OSTEOPATHIC CLINIC, 9 LITTLETON ROAD, HARROW, MIDDLESEX. HA1 3SY.
WEMBLEY OSTEOPATHS, 31 NORVAL ROAD, NORTH WEMBLEY, MIDDLESEX. HA0 3TD.
FITNESS FIRST ALPERTON OSTEOPATHS. 197 EALING ROAD, THE ATLIP CENTRE, ALPERTON, WEMBLEY, MIDDLESEX. HA0 4LW.
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