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Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment

Osteopathic manipulative treatment, or OMT, can be used to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. Practitioners of OMT use their hands to move, stretch, and apply pressure to the muscles and joints of the body, with the dual purpose of diagnosing and treating a range of medical issues. It is believed that OMT can relieve pain, as well as increase a person’s range of motion and encourage healing.

Osteopathic manipulative treatment is most commonly used to diagnose and treat muscle pain, but it also has been used to help patients with asthma, headaches, migraines, joint problems, sinus problems, and menstrual pain. OMT also may be appropriate in cases of chronic back or neck pain caused by deterioration in the spinal column – a condition known as degenerative disc disease. The goal of OMT is to restore normal functioning through the use of hands-on care, including applying gentle manual pressure to affected areas of the spine.

OMT practitioners realize that degenerative disc disease can affect the spine in several ways. Located between our spine’s vertebrae are intervertebral discs that consist of a tough outer layer called the annulus fibrosus that surrounds a soft, spongy jellylike interior called the nucleus pulposus. Together, they provide cushioning to the spinal column. However, as we age, the discs lose their fluid content, making them weak and susceptible to injury or disease. If the outer annulus fibrosus wall bulges or ruptures, the nucleus can impinge nerve roots. A bulging or herniated disc can cause neck or back pain, as well as numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the limbs.

Further symptoms of degenerative disc disease can arise as the spinal discs lose their elasticity and soft, gelatinous nature. As the discs harden, the vertebrae move closer together, causing more pressure on spinal nerves and increased symptoms of pain, weakness, tingling, and numbness.

Fortunately, osteopathic manipulative treatment can be beneficial for pain management and also can help increase mobility. If you’re experiencing back or neck pain, consult with your healthcare provider. He or she can diagnose the cause of your suffering and prescribe a treatment plan. You may be referred to an osteopathic physician, who after meeting with you, might prescribe osteopathic manipulative treatment.

Osteopathic manipulative treatment can be beneficial for patients experiencing low back pain and neck pain. It also may improve your range of motion and flexibility. Manipulation treatments can include:

• Soft tissue technique
• Balanced ligamentous tension
• Joint mobilization
• Neuromuscular therapy
• Visceral manipulation
• Counterstrain

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There are times when some patients may need more than osteopathic manipulative treatment to regain their mobility. At Laser Spine Institute, we offer free MRI or CT scan reviews, as well as consultations on our minimally invasive, state-of-the-art endoscopic procedures that have successfully treated a range of back and neck conditions. Contact us today for more information about our institute, and to learn how we can help you return to living an active lifestyle once again!

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.