What is osteopathic medicine?
This field of medical concentrated on the entire person with specialized concern about the inter relationships of different body systems for maintaining health and preventing diseases. It was founded in 1874 by Andrew Taylor. 65% of DO’s (doctors of osteopathic medicine) are primary care physicians. 1892, the first osteopathic school was founded. It is the fastest growing field in USA.
What differentiates DO and MD?
A DO gets hands on training along with the usual medical training in manipulative treatment and osteopathic diagnosis. This provides them an edge on treating their patient’s illness.
Osteopathic Manipulation (OMT)
With OMT normal body functions can be restored as this is a complete system of treatment and evaluation. The therapeutic application of the manual force or pressure is called manipulation. Chiropractor is not a DO. DO focuses on structural issues of the spinal column to treat back pain, whereas chiropractors concentrate on repositioning of joints.
OMT is used to care for all forms of illness. Nevertheless, manipulation is used for treating musculoskeletal disorder which include
- Neck pain
- Lower back pain
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Sports and dancing injuries
- Types of headaches
What a DO visit can do for you?
Your doctor for will perform a complete history; examine your physical and run X-rays along with different necessary diagnostic tests. After diagnosing your problem, you will be treated with a plan of cure.
First examinations take up to 30 to 60 minutes while the follow-up exams take 15 to 30 minutes.
The types of OMT used
The techniques include:
Soft tissue technique – rhythmic stretching, deep pressure and traction is applied on the muscle surrounding the spine.
Thrust technique – tissue changes, restricted movements, asymmetry and tenderness are reduced and/or eradicated by applying high pace forces to reinstate motion to a joint.
Muscle energy technique – whereby a patient is asked to move their muscles against a force forced by the doctor.
Counterstrain technique – especially, for acute injury this technique makes the patient move from a place where motion is restrained.
Should you avoid OMT?
Patients with bone cancer, bone or joint infect, spinal fusion and osteoporosis should avoid OMT.
Side affects
Soreness for a couple of days after manipulation is the only known side affect of OMT