What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a passive therapy that uses gentle manipulations to encourage the body's natural healing mechanisms. Founded in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, M.D., D.O., Osteopathy includes joint mobilization, passive-stretching and soft-tissue therapy to ease joint, muscle and nerve conditions.
What to expect?
The initial examination will be 1 hour and 30 minutes long and will include assessment and treatment. This is done with the patient wearing loose-fitted clothing. The assessment consists of visual examination, gait examination, range of motion testing, muscle palpation for pain and texture, and pain/motion palpation of the joints. The assessment allows the practitioner to determine any dysfunctions and to construct an appropriate treatment plan. The treatment involves the patient in a seated, side-lying, face-down, and face-up position depending on the patient's needs, and is structured to encourage relaxation. The therapist will use their hands to apply pressure and encourage motion where needed. The process in which this is done is categorized as either joint mobilization, muscle energy techniques, or soft-tissue therapy. Joint mobilization involves applying gentle pressure on the joints to encourage movement, improve the supply of nutrients and increase range of motion. Muscle energy techniques are applied by asking the patient to contract a muscle while providing resistance, relaxing the muscle, and then stretching the muscle. This process is done multiple times to ease muscle hypertension and muscle spasms. Soft-tissue therapy is more commonly referred to as massage and works to release myofascial restrictions. The therapist will aim to incorporate all of the above styles to ensure deep and superficial concerns are addressed. Follow-up treatments are offered at 30 and 60 minute sessions and will follow a specific treatment plan developed to target the ailment.
What makes osteopathy different from other forms of body work?
Osteopathic Manual Therapists believe that structure governs function and use this philosophy to construct a treatment plan according the individual's needs. Osteopathy involves an alignment-centered approach, and provides a inclusive treatment which addresses both postural concerns and muscular tension.
We are governed by the following tenets:
A person is the product of dynamic interaction between body, mind, and spirit.
An inherent property of this dynamic interaction is the capacity of the body, mind and spirit to be self-healing.
Many forces, both intrinsic and extrinsic to the person, can challenge this inherent capacity and contribute to the onset of illness.
The musculoskeletal system significantly influences the individual's ability to restore this inherent capacity and therefore to resist disease processes.
We are governed by the following tenets:
A person is the product of dynamic interaction between body, mind, and spirit.
An inherent property of this dynamic interaction is the capacity of the body, mind and spirit to be self-healing.
Many forces, both intrinsic and extrinsic to the person, can challenge this inherent capacity and contribute to the onset of illness.
The musculoskeletal system significantly influences the individual's ability to restore this inherent capacity and therefore to resist disease processes.
What can osteopathy help with?
Osteopathy can help with many different conditions including:
- arthritis
- foot, ankle, hip, and knee pain
- back pain, neck pain, and sciatica
- hand, shoulder, and elbow pain
- headaches and migraines
- tennis and golfer's elbow
- postural problems due to pregnancy, sports injury, driving or work strain, or digestive issues
- neuralgia