When it comes to healthcare, we often seek treatment options that are effective yet gentle on our bodies. Osteopathic therapy is a holistic treatment modality that focuses on restoring balance and promoting the body’s self-healing capabilities. With its comprehensive approach and gentle techniques, osteopathic therapy has gained significant recognition as a valuable option for individuals seeking natural and non-invasive treatments. In this blog post, we will explore what osteopathic therapy is and how it proves to be both gentle and effective in treating underlying physical conditions.

Osteopathic therapy, also known as manual osteopathic treatments (MOT), is a branch of healthcare that is around the belief that the body possesses self-healing mechanisms. Developed by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still in the late 19th century, osteopathic therapy focuses on the musculoskeletal system and its interconnectedness with other body systems, including the nervous, circulatory, lymphatic, fascia, and visceral systems. This approach recognizes that a disturbance in one area of the body can affect the overall health and well-being. 

One of the key aspects of osteopathic therapy is its gentle and non-invasive techniques, which are tailored to each individual’s needs. Manual Osteopathic Therapists (MOT) utilize their hands to precisely palpate and assess the various conditions of the body. By having a clearer image of the body as a whole, the therapist aims to restore balance, improve mobility, and promote healing by addressing any structural imbalances or dysfunctions within the body. The basic foundations of techniques include:

• Osteoarticulation (OA): MOTs can either use precise movements to mobilize the joint, or place your body in very specific positions so that you can use your own muscles to mobilize and realign the joint. This technique helps to reduce pain, improve joint health and function, and restore balance within the musculoskeletal system. This is highly beneficial for individuals suffering from back pain, neck pain, and joint disorders such as arthritis. 

• Myofascial Remodeling (MFR): By applying sustained pressure to the connective tissues (fascia) surrounding the muscles, MOT practitioners aim to release the adhesion collected by the fascia, improve mobility, and alleviate the pain. This is highly beneficial for individuals suffering from limited range of motion as well as alleviates the feeling the being constricted. 

• Craniosacral Therapy (CST): This technique focuses on the gentle manipulation of the cranial bones, the spine, and the sacrum to promote the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and optimize the function of the central nervous system. It is particularly effective in addressing headaches, migraines, and chronic pain.

• Lymphatic Therapy (LMT): By mobilizing the lymph inside the body to a balanced state, we can allow the fluids in the body to flow naturally. Allowing the cells in the body to efficiently fight off bad bacteria and viruses while clearing away congestion, decreasing pain, and increasing the function of the physical body. This is highly effective for improving your natural immunity and decreasing inflammation and swelling thus increasing mobility without pain. 

• Visceral Manipulation (VM): All organs of the body have a natural rhythm of movement called motility. When the organs experience any type of trauma, they try to protect themselves by limiting movement and guarding the area around them, preventing the organs from functioning normally. By releasing the organ from the adhesion and state of alertness, we can bring the body back to rest, allowing its natural state of healing to occur and better movement throughout the body. This along with the other techniques are highly effective in treating both respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases as well as digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux. 

What makes osteopathic therapy truly unique is its holistic approach to healthcare. MOTs consider not only the specific condition or symptom but also the overall health and well-being of the individual. We take into account factors such as lifestyle, stress levels, nutrition, and emotional well-being while formulating a treatment plan. This comprehensive approach helps address the root causes of the condition, promoting long-term healing and preventing future issues.

Osteopathic therapy offers a gentle and effective alternative for treating underlying physical conditions. With its hands-on approach, Manual Osteopathic Therapists can address structural imbalances, improve mobility, and promote the body’s natural healing mechanisms. From musculoskeletal issues to respiratory conditions, from digestive orders to headaches and migraines, MOT has shown promising results across a wide range of conditions through its gentle touch and effective techniques.      

~ Derek Chiu, MOT, RMT