Click on the links below for answers.
1.
What is osteopathy?
2. What is a D.O.?
3. Why choose an osteopath?
4.
What is Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
(OMT)?
5. Who Can Benefit From OMT?
6.
What types of conditions can OMT be used for?
7. How
does OMT work?
8. What osteopathic manipulation treatment
(OMT) techniques are used?
9. What is an osteopathic
manipulation treatment like?
10. Are there any side
effects to a treatment?
11. How long does it take to
get better?
12. What about Osteopathic Research?
13. What is low level laser healing?
1. What is osteopathy?
Traditional Osteopathy
is a holistic or "whole person" approach to healing. Osteopaths
are trained to look at the mind, body and spirit, rather than focus only on the
diseased parts. They embrace the philosophy that the body has an innate or natural
ability to heal itself. By using hands on manipulation techniques, the
osteopath removes physical restrictions that cause pain or disease and allow the
body to heal naturally.
Back to top
2.
What is a D.O.?
Osteopaths or Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.s). are
fully licensed physicians like M.D.s who are authorized to prescribe medication,
perform surgery, and order all diagnostic tests. While attending their own
medical schools, D.O.s are responsible for the same academic courses as M.D.'s
but receive additional training in the study of the body's musculoskeletal system.
Back to top
3.
Why choose an osteopath?
Osteopaths believe in the body's innate
healing ability. A D.O. offers a variety of non invasive healing treatments
not traditionally available from allopathic physicians (MD's). In contrast
to chiropractors, a D.O. is a fully licensed physician trained to prescribe
medication and perform all necessary diagnostic tests.
Back
to top
4. What is Osteopathic
Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)?
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) is a specialty of osteopathy that emphasizes
a hands-on approach to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury.
Osteopaths work with their hands to identify areas where body structure is abnormally
impaired or restricted. Using gentle and precise osteopathic manipulation
treatment (OMT) techniques, restrictions are removed, pain is relieved and the
body is able to heal itself.
Back to top
People of all ages and backgrounds, including infants, children, athletes, workers, and the elderly have all experienced pain relief and improved mobility from OMT. Osteopathic Manipulation promotes deep relaxation and well-being. OMT also helps to maintain health and prevent disease or injury.
Back to top
6.
What types of conditions can OMT be used for?
Pain Relief
-Neck, back, and shoulder pain
-Headaches and migraines
-Sprains and strains
-Muscle aches
-Joint pain
-Sciatica
-Overuse Syndromes
-Sports
injuries and accident related injuries
Illness/
Medical Conditions
-Asthma
-Sinusitis
-Bronchitis
-Frequent colds and sore throats
-Post-concussive syndrome
-Anxiety
-Depression
-ADD/ADDHD
Pregnancy
-Back
pain
-Groin pain
-Leg swelling
-Colic
-Spitting up
-Suckling difficulty
-Birth Trauma
-Delayed development
-Recurrent ear infections
Back to top
In order for the body to maintain health, it must have normal nerve function and be able to circulate all of its fluids (ex. blood, lymph, digestive fluids, cerebral spinal fluids etc). These fluids carry hormones, enzymes, nutrition, and oxygen required to regulate the body and sustain health. Any blockage of the fluids or nerves results in pain or disease. These blockages may be structural or non-structural.
Structural(physical) blocks may be in the bones, tissues or organs. Osteopathic manipulation uses gentle hands-on techniques to remove physical blocks—this restores normal structure and function, which promotes innate healing and pain relief.
Non-structural
impediments may include emotional patterns or memories that create physical stress
on the body which result in pain or disease. These are often responses
to stressful incidents of the past or present, or are of a repetitive nature.
Non structural impediments may be helped with OMT or with spiritual-medical
healing.
Back to top
8.
What osteopathic manipulation treatment (OMT) techniques are used?
Depending on your condition, different osteopathic
treatment techniques are used. Some examples include: soft tissue, myofascial
release, cranial-sacral, visceral manipulation, muscle energy, lymphatic, Jones
strain-counterstrain, facilitated positional release and cranial biodynamics.
Back to top
9.
What is an osteopathic manipulation treatment like?
Most patients
are treated sitting or lying down. All treatments are specific to the patient
and their particular condition. A variety of techniques are used: some
resemble stretching while others are very light in touch. During the treatment
some patients feel a sense of relaxation, warmth, or tingling. Others report
no sensation at all.
For those who have never experienced
it, Osteopathic manipulation is difficult to describe, as it is unlike any other
form of manual therapy. It is not massage, reiki, or chiropractic.
Many patients cannot even feel most of the Osteopath's most effective techniques.
Back to top
10.
Are there any side effects to a treatment?
Most patients experience
deep relaxation and improvement of symptoms. Adverse effects may include,
but are not limited to: muscles aches, and the possible aggravation of
symptoms existing prior to treatment, which usually resolve in 1-2 days.
Back to top
11.
How long does it take to get better?
Many factors are involved in
healing. A patient in general good health responds more quickly than someone
with a chronic problem. A chronic condition takes years to develop and
takes longer to heal. Depending on the nature of the problem, an individual
may be helped within a few treatments, while others require a much longer periods
of time. Once pain is resolved, maintenance care is offered to help prevent
recurrence of pain or disease.
Back to top
12.
What about Osteopathic Research?
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
has a long history. Scientific and clinical research shows that osteopathic
manipulation works for many people and many conditions. A few research
conclusions and article links are cited below.
Use
of OMM for ankle sprains decreased pain and swelling and increased
range of motion.
OMT improves
pulmonary function pediatric asthma patients.
OMM is
a useful adjunct in treating depression.
OMT
may be a useful adjuvant therapy in children with recurrent ear infections
; it may also prevent or decrease surgical intervention or antibiotic
overuse.
OMT in
conjunction with medication relieves pain associated with fibromyalgia
syndrome.
OMT significantly reduces low back pain.
OMT
is as good as IM ketorolac in treating acute neck pain in the
emergency department.
OMT is
a useful therapeutic adjunct in post operative pain management following
total abdominal hysterectomy.
Back to
top
13. What is low level
laser healing?
Low Level Lasers are Healing Lasers that quickly balance
and restore the body and cells to a state of homeostasis (balance). Low level
lasers, are also called cold lasers or soft lasers. This defines them as lower
powered or non cutting lasers.
Healing Lasers work on a cellular level, delivering electrons and photons directly to the cells where they help to produce ATP (energy), stimulate immune responses, alleviate inflammation and reduce pain.
Dr. McReynolds uses the unique Q1000 laser system, which uses infrared light and/or red light in exact frequencies that correspond to treating specific needs. This laser system contains 3 main components:
- Multi-frequency, multi-wavelength laser resonator that uses Soliton wave technology (a special mathematical property that allows them to travel deep into the body), which harmonizes soft tissues, organs, and glands. Glands are key in the rejuvenation process and work with the lymphatic system to bring the body back into balance. By healing the glands, the body can rebalance itself, and many stubborn health problems may naturally heal.
- A 660-nm red Laser Enhancer Probe is useful for painful trigger points, myofascial pain, & dental problems.
- An 808-nm near-infrared Laser Enhancer Probe for deep penetration and stimulation of bone, cartilage, and tendons.
Benefits of Low Level Lasers
- Reduce Pain
- Promote Faster Healing
- Reduce Inflammation
- Increase Bone Repair Speed
- Relax Muscles
- Increase Lymph Drainage
- Enhance the Immune System
