Osteopathic manual therapy is anosteopathic technique that has helped hundreds of people recover from a wide variety of ailments. However, many people are still unaware of its benefits. With this in mind, in this article we tell you everything you need to know about osteopathic manual therapy.
What is osteopathic manual therapy?
Osteopathic manual therapy has its origins inosteopathy, and is based on the principle that all the body's systems are interconnected and work together holistically. So, through manual techniques such as palpation, it seeks to identify incorrect patterns in your body and correct them in order to heal various ailments.
It is non-invasive and performed by a certified osteopathic manual therapist, who need not be an osteopath, but is recommended. Thanks to their knowledge of the human body, these experts are able to identify the source of your pain, muscle tension and inflammation.
For whom is osteopathic manual therapy useful?
Because this therapy considers the body as a holistic system, it can improve a wide range of health problems.
First of all, thanks to its massage techniques, it is highly effective in treating all types of pain in the musculoskeletal system. In particular, back and neck pain, pain and inflammation caused by arthritis and osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis and even tendonitis.
Secondly, it is also commonly used to help treat sports injuries, particularly recurrent sprains.
However, it also works with different system problems. For example, conditions of the digestive and respiratory systems. It has proved useful in treating irritable bowel syndrome and constipation, as well as asthma.
You don't have to have a medical condition to benefit from osteopathic manual therapy . From improving your circulation and mobility to reducing high blood pressure and boosting your immune system, osteopathic manual therapy can help your body as a whole.
Thus, osteopathic manual therapy can be useful for all kinds of people, with or without ailments, and of different age groups. However, although it is constantly used by pregnant women, it is recommended that they consult their GP first.
What does osteopathic manual therapy look like?
The first thing the therapist will do is ask you about the reasons for your visit, your symptoms or any concerns you may have about your well-being.
The practitioner may then ask you to lie down to press on different parts of your body and, as mentioned above, find patterns or swellings. Depending on his observations, he may ask you to sit up or stand to check for differences.
It's important that you follow all the practitioner's instructions and relax, allowing the practitioner to manipulate your limbs so he or she can more easily identify if there's a problem.
There are several osteopathic manual techniques that can be performed, here are the most common:
Visceral manipulation:
Visceral manipulation is an osteopathic manual technique that checks the condition of your organs. Through palpation and pressure, the practitioner will check that your organs are in the right place and that they are not inflamed. This method is commonly used when patients indicate that they are suffering from intestinal or respiratory problems.
Cranial osteopathy
As the name suggests, this technique focuses primarily on the skull and spine. By manipulating the head and back, he seeks to establish the state of health of the sacrum, spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid.
This is key, as these parts are responsible for the nervous system and, if not in good condition, can cause multiple, seemingly unrelated pains.
Myofascial therapy
One of the most popular osteopathic manual techniques, this one deals with fascia. Fascia is a connective tissue that extends throughout the body. According to certified osteopathic manual therapists, it is responsible for keeping the body's holistic system in order. So, if a section of fascia is inflamed or strained, it can cause injury and pain in different parts of the body.
As such, this therapy carefully checks the entire fascial tissue for any abnormalities and, if found, these are corrected by manipulation.
We hope this information has been helpful to you in understanding osteopathic manual therapy. Don't forget that, although you don't need to be certified in osteopathy to administer this therapy, it's a good idea to check that the person you're seeing is a member of the Canadian Federation of Osteopaths. If you're in the Montreal area, we recommend you book an appointment here.
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