How Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Improves Health

Jennifer Wilson, D.O., Osteopathic Medicine

A lot of people ask me what makes Osteopathic Medicine different from Allopathic Medicine and the answer is very complex. Both types of doctors are equally trained and licensed to practice medicine. Osteopathic medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or D.O., was founded in 1874 by Dr. A. T. Still, who was committed to improving the medical system at the time by concentrating on a holistic approach.

Osteopathic medicine is founded upon principles, which includes the foundational tenet that the body is a unit, body, mind, and spirit, and that we are capable of self-regulation and self-healing. So, there is a focus on the interaction of all of the body’s systems: cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal, and how they are all connected to the musculoskeletal system believing that the structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.

For example, when we breathe, we need our diaphragm to drop, our ribs to elevate and our spine to extend, and if we were to have a restriction in one of those, if we had muscle tension that wouldn’t allow for that, then we could not expect our lungs to function appropriately.

Benefits of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
Osteopathic physicians are required to get an added 200 hours of training in what is called Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine or OMM. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment or OMT, is a hands-on technique, unique to osteopathic medicine, that targets muscles, tissues, fascia or connective tissues, bones and joints, with a goal to reduce pain and optimize function. OMT is non-invasive and medication-free treatment modality for a number of conditions such as headaches, arthritis, stress injuries, sports injuries and more.

When we are treating patients with OMT, we are always thinking about how this relates back to the person as a whole. We aim to optimize patient health with the use of our hands, all the time while thinking about the pathophysiologic process. For example, OMT to the foot, will not only address pain that may be there, but also affect their mechanics and gait. This then would affect energy levels, what tension is across the system, and how blood flow and lymphatic flow is returned to the thorax. We think about how the musculoskeletal system connects and affects our neurological, behavioral, structural, and energetic processes within us. OMT does not replace other hands-on modalities, in fact, I often recommend massage or PT to be completed in combination with OMT.

Prevention
We see patients of all ages, newborn to end-of-life, for a variety of different reasons. In the world of primary care, internal medicine, family medicine, obstetrics and pediatrics, OMT can always be utilized in a preventive way. We want to always try to optimize the health of an individual so that they can then be at their best function level, which affects their significant other, family and community.

Sports Medicine
Osteopathic medicine allows us to take a holistic approach to sports medicine to help diagnose, treat or prevent injuries in our athletes. Very often, we can use OMT to boost performance and prevent injury, especially as some athletes are trying to limit the number of medications that they use.

Currently, the OSU Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine department is treating local professional athletes before every home game to boost their performance, and we work with different collegiate and high school athletes to help address any concussions or injuries.

Obstetrics
In obstetrics, particularly, patients often have limited options when it comes to safe ways to treat pain. Pregnant patients will often have issues with round ligament pain, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome associated with pregnancy, and we can utilize OMT to address physical complaints in those cases. It also allows for better rest, better sleep, better home life, and better overall care for the patient and their baby.

Pediatrics
OMT has a wide range of techniques, many of which are gentle and well tolerated by both children and infants. We are able to address reversible structural issues with a goal of alleviating current symptoms as well as reducing or preventing downstream problems. For example, often after delivery, infants have an abnormal head shape that may impact the efficiency of latching and feeding. Utilizing OMT in such a patient greatly assists in the success of breast or bottle feeding.

Research
It’s an exciting time for osteopathic medicine. In a world that is always looking to become more holistic, we are constantly looking to the next horizon. Research is really allowing us to hone in on what we can do.

Our profession and our physicians are committed to providing long established treatments and therapies for our patients in the unique line of medicine that explores that vital connection between structure and function in the human body.

If you’re interested in OMT, you can request a referral to the OSU Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine clinic from your primary care provider or seek a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in your local area.

OSU Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine – Health Care Center
2345 Southwest Blvd, Tulsa, OK  |  Phone 918-561-1131