osteopathic manipulative medicine
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) is a description of treatment approaches performed by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, also known as D.O.s or osteopaths. Osteopaths are fully licensed physicians with the ability to prescribe medication and perform surgery. However, these physicians take a whole body approach to improving function, increasing mobility and reducing pain in the body's musculoskeletal system. They do this through gentle, non-invasive techniques applied to the joints, muscles and surrounding tissues.
OMM is a form of hands on or manual medicine. Some OMM techniques include:
- Counterstrain: techniques to relieve joint and soft tissue pain and improve range of motion by identifying and treating specific tender points found in the body.
- Myofascial release: techniques that stretch, relax and relieve constriction in the fascia, the connective tissue that connects the muscles, joints and vital organs.
- Joint mobilization: small, precise movements manually applied to the joints and the soft tissues surrounding a joint, designed to increase mobility and joint function.
- Soft tissue techniques: gentle but specific stretching of the muscles that helps correct muscle imbalances, reduce pain and promote relaxation.
- Muscle energy techniques: positioning techniques that recruit the patient's own efforts to contract muscles in order to resolve restrictive joint problems.
- Therapeutic exercise: individually prescribed exercises designed to help heal or prevent injury, improve function, increase health and well-being and relax the body.
Who Benefits from Osteopathic Manual Medicine
Because of the wide variety of techniques available, osteopathic manual medicine can be used for people with many different types of illness, injury or pain. Some include:
- back pain
- headaches
- muscle spasms
- arthritis
- repetitive stress injuries
- sprains
- poor posture
- fibromyalgia
- muscular imbalance
- decreased mobility due to tight muscles, stiff joints and joint problems
A thorough exam by an osteopath can help determine the best treatment for you.
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