Top Techniques of Osteopathic Back Manipulation For Holistic Healing

Osteopathic manual manipulation, abbreviated as OMM, is a therapy that uses the hands to perform. The most common use of this therapy is to treat musculoskeletal problems, but it can also assist with problems involving other bodily systems. The purpose of the OMM therapy is to restore the balance of your body and make it function optimally.

The Science Of Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathic medicine is an ancient practice that was introduced in the late 1800s by a physician named Dr. Andrew Taylor Still in Kirksville, Missouri, because he observed that the existing practices were causing more harm than good. He started a new treatment system that employed a hands-on approach to deliver personalized medical assistance, allowing the body to heal naturally.

Basically, osteopathic medicine is based on the belief that all bodily systems are interrelated and everything from the body, mind, and spirit should be viewed as a part of the whole. Doctors of osteopathic medicine concentrate on healing the musculoskeletal system.

OMM also called osteopathic back manipulation is designed to address the root of various health issues especially back problems, neck and shoulder problems, as well as knee pain.

Let’s discuss some of its benefits:

Relief from Pain Symptoms - This therapy can effectively assist with conditions such as back pain, neck pain, knee pain, and hip pain.

Assists in Patient Mobility – The OMM therapy employs specific techniques like joint mobilization to boost the range of movement.

Assist With Stress Relief – All OMM therapies provide relaxation and bring stress relief.

Improves Circulation of Blood – With the assistance of the lymphatic pump the blood and lymph flow improve.

Promotes Holistic Healing – This therapy focuses on holistic healing and works to improve the overall health of the individual.

Common OMM Practices

Having a general understanding of the prevalent Osteopathic manual manipulation techniques can provide you with a deeper insight into the best suitable treatment for your health needs. Given below is an analysis of the most commonly used techniques.

Soft Tissue Manipulation

This technique is especially designed to relax tension in the muscles and peripheral tissues. In this practice, a range of methods are used such as stretching, pressure application, and kneading to boost flow of lymph, relieve muscle stress, and improve tissue elasticity.

• Objective - alleviate muscle tightness
• Methods employed - Stretching, pressure, kneading
• Advantages – Healthy circulation and tension alleviation

This technique can be used effectively to heal chronic conditions such as back pain and neck pain.

Muscle Energy Technique (MET)

This is another manual osteopathic technique that involves the use of your muscles after the recommendation of a practitioner. As you contract a muscle group, the practitioner applies a counterforce to help experience comfort, achieve muscle stretch, and joint manipulation.

• Objective - Stretch muscles and manipulate the joints
• Methods employed - muscle engagement against load
• Advantages - Alleviate stiffness and improve range of motion

This treatment method is effectively employed to treat sciatica and knee pain.

Myofascial Release

This OMM technique focuses on relieving the tension in the muscle fascia (sheath), which is the muscular connective tissue. Gentle pressure is applied to the connective tissue to help relieve the pain and restore motion.

• Objective - Relieve fascial stiffness
• Methods employed – Gentle pressure
• Advantages – Movement restoration and relief from the pain

This technique is widely used to heal conditions such as heel pain and hip pain.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization also known as osteopathic back manipulation, follows a gentle hands-on approach to improve the range of motion in an individual’s joints. This technique is performed by a trained osteopath. The practitioner uses their hands to execute soft passive maneuvers of the affected joint. It assists with the following:

• Decrease stiffness
• Improve joint flexibility
• Relief pain

Joint manipulation technique aims to heal conditions such as back pain and arthritis.

The Sum Up

The above explained techniques are a part of the different Osteopathic manual manipulation practices used by the osteopaths to heal various conditions, including back pain and hip pain, shoulder and neck pain, as well as foot and heel pain. From relieving chronic pain to enhancing your overall well-being, these osteopathic techniques are effective in treating the underlying causes. You can choose the right osteopathic technique after consulting with your osteopath and get relief from the pain and tension, while improving your overall mobility. These techniques provide holistic healing and focus on the overall well-being of the individual.