Typing, swiping, lifting, hammering. A lot of what we do for a living involves some level of repetition. This leads to wear and tear on our joints and often chronic pain.
You may think that the only answer is major surgery. You know. You’ve heard of folks getting shoulder surgery, knee replacement or carpal tunnel surgery after years of pain, but before you get to that point, there are treatment options. One highly effective option is osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT).
What is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)?
OMT is a hands-on form of manual movement used to diagnose and treat injuries. The goal of OMT is to support the body in returning to a place of normalcy.
This starts with an assessment of the area of concern. It will be checked for restriction in motion, tenderness, asymmetry and/or changes in tissue texture. A comprehensive assessment may include the cranium, lower back, knees, how you walk, how you stand and even your shoe insoles. This helps determine what is plaguing the patient. X-rays or ultrasound may also be indicated in the work up. Based on the assessment, the patient receives a protocol, and treatment is localized to the area where the pain is located.
A prior patient worked a blue collar position that caused repetitive stress injury to her shoulder and neck. The patient didn’t want to lose her job, so she started on opioids to relieve the pain. Eventually, she decided that she didn’t want to be opioid dependent. I provided a full body assessment. The treatment plan included manipulative therapy, massage, injection and light movement exercises to strengthen the area. This allowed her to wean off of opioids and continue working.
OMT is highly effective. In fact, among the 500+ patients I’ve treated using OMT, I’ve never had patient say they didn’t feel better afterwards.
How does Bodily Stress Occur?
The changes in tissue texture can develop acutely, as a result of a recent insult to the body, or overtime.
Something as simple as weight gain, poor posture, repetitive movement at work, emotional stress, infection or chronic illness can have an impact on your body.
Who Can Benefit From OMT?
OMT has been used to treat a variety of injuries and illnesses. It has been shown effective in lower back pain, neck pain, menstrual pain, shoulder pain, foot pain and temporomandibular joint disorder.
Anyone who is currently taking medication or receiving physical therapy for these conditions can benefit from OMT as an adjunct therapy. The goal of treatment is to make small incremental improvements in structure which will improve overall function.
What Other Conditions Benefit from OMT?
Treatments encourage blood flow, treat tissue abnormalities, restore muscle and tissue balance, encourage lymphatic drainage and improve movement, which can also be helpful for conditions, such as carpal tunnel, sinus disorder, migraines and asthma.
Carpal tunnel is caused by the medial nerve becoming trapped by layer of thick fascia. OMT massage seeks to release the impinged nerve to provide pressure release. Injections and often bracing may be necessary, but therapy will start with massage.
With sinus disorders, manipulation is aimed at relieving pressure, encouraging lymphatic and mucus drainage.
Treatment for headaches and migraines often starts with a technique called CV4 that essentially encourages cerebral spinal fluid movement. Indicators that this could help is if the patient has a history of clinched jaw when sleeping, recent upper respiratory infection, concussions or prior car accidents. During the assessment, the scalp, neck and shoulders are checked as well since pain may actually start at the neck and move to the back of the head. What a patient may believe to be head pain may be neck pain working its way up and radiating to head.
Treatment for asthma involves rib manipulation. Breathing patterns and a chronic, asthmatic cough can cause the ribs to become tender and jut out. Manipulative lifts can help to open up and expand the ribs. The cough that follows may assist in clearing out trapped mucous to help the patient feel better.
Who Uses OMT?
Physicians who have graduated from an osteopathic medical school are trained in osteopathic manipulative therapy and have the title Doctor of Osteopathic medicine (D.O). In addition to traditional medical curriculum, osteopathic medical school has a subset of education dedicated to the osteopathic tenets.
The four tenets which govern osteopathic medicine are:
- The person is a unit of body, mind and spirit.
- The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance.
- Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
- Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-healing/self-regulation and the interrelationship of structure and function.
Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-healing/self-regulation and the interrelationship of structure and function.
Osteopaths are given training in hands-on healing of the musculoskeletal system. Following medical school, physicians can choose to continue their OMT training in residency and even a fellowship in solely manipulative therapy. Osteopathic physicians and practitioners of osteopathic manipulative therapy can range from hospitalists, surgeons or family physicians.
The philosophy of osteopathic medicine emphasizes the interplay of environment, diet, mental health, sleep, activity levels and lifestyle on health. All these factors are considered in a full assessment of an ailment. These important parts of the patient are integrated into a holistic treatment plan with an emphasis on returning the patient to a place of wellness.
Schedule an Appointment with a DO
If you are interested in learning more, schedule a primary care appointment today or call 919-350-9100.
In order to receive osteopathic therapy, you must find an osteopathic physician who does manipulation.
OMT can be performed in the office as a dedicated visit or added to the visit as treatment for an existing problem. Pregnant patients are encouraged to bring their partner, so the partner can learn how to help manage the pain.
This type of treatment is typically covered by most insurance plans.
Learn More About DeAundre Dyer, DO
Dr. DeAundre Dyer is a board-certified family medicine physician with clinical interests in mental health, LGBT health, gynecology, pediatric and young adult health. Dr. Dyer is also interested in osteopathic manipulative therapy, and chronic disease management, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and obesity. Dr. Dyer believes in partnering with the patient and acting as their health advisor. He believes the hard work of health starts when the patient leaves the office. Dr. Dyer tries to motivate and support his patients to achieve small goals on the path to the larger goal of health. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Dyer today.
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