What is Manual Osteopathy (European Style)

 

Manual Osteopaths use a variety of gentle, hands-on techniques to address imbalances in the body utilizing a whole-body perspective.  These techniques range from osteoarticular mobilization, Muscle Energy Techniques (MET), Strain Counter Strain (SCS), Cranial Osteopathy, and Visceral Manipulation to name but a few.  Osteopathic Manual Techniques are used to assess and correct issues in muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, organs, and fascia to achieve and maintain structural balance and health.  Typically, Practitioners employ these techniques together with ecological lifestyle modifications to help patients recover from pain and injury.

 

Unlike licensed Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.), European Style Manual Osteopaths, also referred to as Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (OMP), do not prescribe medications, perform surgery, diagnose disease, or perform any high velocity, low amplitude manipulative techniques.

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Currently, there are roughly 2,000 Osteopathic Manual Practitioners in the United States and 67,000 licensed Doctors of Osteopathy practicing medicine.  The profession of an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner has been highly cited and regarded as a wonderful adjunct for safe and non-invasive chronic pain improvement and management therapy/bodywork all over the world, particularly in Canada, Europe, and now the USA.  

 

How is Manual Osteopathic Treatment Different from Traditional Physiotherapy and Chiropractic?

A Manual Osteopathic Practitioner is trained in the four main types of hands-on osteopathic sub-disciplines: Osteo-articular techniques (pumping, etc.), Myofascial release, Cranial-sacral techniques, and Visceral Manipulation.

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Osteo-articular techniques and myofascial release are utilized in physiotherapy and chiropractic professions, otherwise known as Manual Therapy.

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Visceral Manipulation is a form of gentle manual therapy to assess and treat the viscera (organs), their position, suspension system, and fascia/ligaments from which they directly attach to the musculoskeletal system. Imbalances in the viscera and its connective tissue can be directly related to posture and postural imbalances. These imbalances can impact many systems, such as the musculoskeletal, nervous, vascular, respiratory, and digestive systems.

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The Cranial-Sacral system consists of the bones of the head and spinal cord, as well as the membranes and fluid that surround and support the brain and spinal cord, which attach directly to the bones. Dysfunction of any part of this system could have local effects, such as headaches, migraines, or pain along the spine. Nervous system symptoms like nerve impingement can also occur, as well as end-organ dysfunction such as digestive, respiratory or gynecological complaints.

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Benefits of Manual Osteopathy?

If you have received traditional physiotherapy, chiropractic, or massage therapy and feel that you have reached a plateau or the pain seems to still come and go without resolution, it is possible that the visceral or cranial-sacral system may be a component in your pain/injury and therefore in need of assessment. That being said, Manual Osteopathy is an effective treatment on its own, as well as in conjunction with physiotherapy, chiropractic and massage therapy.

 

What Conditions Does a Manual Osteopath Typically See?

Manual Osteopathy can help you if:

1. You have chronic neck or back pain

2. You have TMJ issues

3. You have suffered a head/brain injury (concussion, etc.)

4. You have postural imbalances

5. You had surgery

6. You continue to experience pain after receiving conventional treatment or the pain continues to return

7. You are suffering from digestive problems, migraines, menstrual pain, or unexplained pain or symptoms

 

What Does a Visit with a Manual Osteopath Look Like?

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Your journey with a Manual Osteopath consists of a full body assessment from head to toe. One of the main philosophies of Osteopathy revolves around the idea that the body is an integrated system of systems, and everything is connected to everything else.  No part of the body ever works in isolation.  Therefore, Practitioners assess the varying interconnected relationships in order to find the root cause of your complaint, then, and only then, apply appropriate hands-on techniques to address the problem.

 

A Manual Osteopath can help to:

• Remove the underlying cause of pain by reducing stiffness in muscles and joints

• Improve joint range of motion

• Improve posture that contributes to spinal pain or injury

• Relieve chronic pain by decreasing stress on the joints, tension in the body, and by improving alignment to address the root cause of the pain

• Reduce scar tissue and adhesions

• Improve function of the organs

• Improve digestion, menstrual pain, respiratory conditions, headaches/migraines, knee pain, tennis elbow etc.

• Aid in the healing of traumatic injuries such as falls and sports injuries