Osteopathy is a hands-on approach to health that is similar to massage therapy but has a broader scope and goal of whole-body healing. It involves the manipulation of a patient’s muscles, joints and ligaments. Osteopaths use their hands, arms and feet, as well as tools such as cups, balls and tuning forks. Osteopathy is based on the idea that the well-being of your body depends on your muscles, bones, ligaments and connective tissues working smoothly together.
Osteopathic techniques are adapted to match the patient’s age, weight and specific health concerns, yielding personalized, holistic medicine. Osteopathic manipulation (OMT) has been shown to be effective in a wide range of conditions. The osteopathic physician uses a highly trained technique of touch called palpation to evaluate the health of the muscles, ligaments and joints. They also assess the ability of the organs and other parts of your body to regulate and self-heal.
Examples of osteopathic techniques include diaphragmatic release, balanced ligamentous tension, high-velocity low-amplitude manual manipulation, myofascial release and muscle energy technique. [34]
In addition to OMT, osteopathic physicians also recommend dietary and lifestyle changes and may prescribe medications. Occasionally, osteopathic treatment can cause mild side effects such as a headache or temporary pain. The risk of complications is very low.
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