Osteopathy is a holistic treatment that usually involves no medicine. It includes non-invasive manual therapy to ameliorate overall health and wellness of a patient by osteopathic manipulative medicine. Osteopathic manual therapy involves stretching of limbs, body massaging, and moving the musculoskeletal system. Mostly an osteopath uses manual treatments to reduce pain and improves physical mobility and circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. In addition to this, it aims to improve neuronal function. Osteopathic manual treatments focus on the pain and stress of joints, muscles, and spine.
What Does an Osteopath Do: A Glimpse of Osteopathic Manual Therapy
An osteopath takes the aid of manual ‘hands-on’ techniques for treatment- which means a through diagnosis and treatment only by hands.
An osteopath does not only take care of the area where ailment has appeared, but uses manual techniques to bring a perfect balance to the body systems. They aim to provide holistic therapy, which means a treatment for overall good health and wellbeing. Diagnosing and treating physical ailments using such techniques is called Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine or OMM. An osteopath, at first fully assesses a patient’s health to understand what sort of treatment is required. Treatment involves gentle and small manipulation of the muscles and soft tissues. Osteopathic Manual therapy may involve stretching or massaging of muscle.
They sometimes recommend dietary modifications and lifestyle change. They may advise to change seating and desk position.
An osteopath may also prescribe medicine and occasionally use surgical methods just in case they need to strengthen their holistic manual treatment.
What Do Osteopaths Treat:
By osteopathic manual therapy an osteopath treats the following physical conditions. They are mentioned below:
• Arthritis
• Joint pain(foot, ankle, knee, elbow, etc.)
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Hand and shoulder pain
• Headaches
• Postural problems after injury, stress, and digestive issues
• Neuralgia
Benefits of Osteopathic Manual Therapy
• It benefits the musculoskeletal framework
• Blood Circulation
• Nervous System
• Back pain
Prevention advice can involve the following thigs:
• stretching exercises
• lifting techniques
• posture
• breathing
• Stress reduction
Risks of Osteopathic Manual Therapy:
• After osteopathic manual therapy, it is usual for a patient to feel stiff.
• Some patients may suffer from headache for a while.
• Older patients may experience less usual side effects like severe pain.
• Rib fracture in patients with osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
• Numbness
• Tingling sensation
• Stroke
• Prolapsed disk,
• Pain radiating to a body part,
• Partial damage of nerve
• Muscle weakness
• Problem in bladder
• Problem in bowel movement
• Physical stress
Patients should be aware of a few following things before they consider osteopathic manual therapy:
• Back pain
• Osteoporosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Bones and joints
• Muscles
Conclusion: It is a fast growing holistic treatment in advanced countries. Many people are considering osteopathic manual therapy for their physical ailments, especially people who do not really want to take medicines, unless necessary. Although, osteopathic manual therapy involves some risks, its significant benefits cannot be denied.