Common Reasons for Seeking Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) can help address a wide variety of health issues. Some of the most common reasons patients seek OMT include:

• Athletic performance improvement
• Back pain relief
• Neck pain relief
• Headaches and migraines
• Jaw pain and TMJ issues
• Arm and leg pain
• Joint pain
• Muscle aches and discomfort
• Muscle imbalance and tightness
• Posture correction

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, OMT may be a suitable treatment option for you.

What is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)?

Osteopathic Medicine, founded by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still in the 1890s, is based on the principle that the body is an interconnected system. Every aspect of a person—body, mind, and spirit—affects their overall health. Dr. Still believed that to function at peak performance, the body must be free from restrictions in its musculoskeletal system. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a hands-on approach designed to enhance the body’s natural ability to heal and maintain health by improving the structure and function of muscles, joints, and tissues.

Principles of Osteopathy

Osteopathic Medicine is built on four key principles:

1. The Body as a Unit: The body, mind, and spirit work together as one interconnected system. This holistic view distinguishes osteopathic education from conventional medical training, which often treats parts of the body in isolation.
2. Self-Regulation and Self-Healing: The body has an inherent ability to heal itself. OMT helps facilitate this natural process by restoring the musculoskeletal system’s balance and function.
3. Structure and Function Interrelationship: Osteopathic medicine understands the deep connection between the body’s structure (anatomy) and its function (physiology). Dysfunction in one area can affect the overall health of the body.
4. Rational Treatment: The goal of OMT is to enhance the body’s vitality and health, reducing suffering and improving well-being. Treatment is based on the first three principles to bring about optimal health.

For more information about D.O.’s, or OMT, please visit these websites:

http://doctorsthatdo.org/difference/osteopathic-manipulative-treatment

https://www.academyofosteopathy.org/home

How OMT Helps

OMT aims to improve mobility and reduce discomfort by addressing restrictions in the body’s muscles, joints, and tissues. It is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, and posture issues. The goal is to help you live your best life by reducing discomfort and increasing function in daily activities.

Difference between DOs, Chiropractors and Physical Therapists

While there are many similarities between the three professions and often all three fields of healthcare work together, a DO is a fully licensed Osteopathic Medical Physician that has completed four years of medical school followed by a at least a year of post-graduate or residency training. Our clinic does not utilize any forced movements of the neck that lead to “cracking and popping” due to a number of serious complications that may occur. One important one is the possibility of a stroke associated with that kind of technique when applied to the neck region. We also have a very rehabilitative approach with our goal being that you need to see us as little as possible. The treatment most DOs used is geared more towards muscles and fascia and include:

• Muscle Energy Technique
• Articulatory Technique
• Myofascial Release Technique
• Balanced Ligamentous Tension Technique

There are certain occasions when high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA, cracking/popping) techniques may be used. In those rare cases they will always be discussed with the patient before being applying. This clinic does not utilize HVLA to the cervical region

A closer explanation for how DOs practice OMT would be a combination of a physician and a physical therapist. Our goal is to look more at the deeper structural issues to get areas that have been restricted moving again. Home exercises are crucial for re-aggravation of previously treated areas. Often times Physical Therapy may be prescribed in order to keep any recurrent problem areas from relapsing. Quite often Physical Therapists and DOs or Chiropractors and DOs will work collaboratively on patient care, often times to get a new perspective on a complex issue.

What to Expect During Your OMT Session

During your first visit, we will perform a comprehensive evaluation to assess your health history and identify any structural issues in the spine, arms, legs, ribs, and head. Based on this assessment, we will recommend OMT if necessary.

Subsequent visits will focus on reassessing your progress, addressing new issues, and adjusting your treatment plan accordingly.

Most patients typically experience improvement after 3-4 visits over a 4-5 week period. However, every patient responds differently, and your treatment plan will be personalized based on your needs and progress.

OMT is a gentle therapy and is well-tolerated by most patients. However, you may experience mild soreness for a day or two after treatment, especially if the body has not been moving properly for a long time. Staying hydrated and using heat can help ease any discomfort.

Visit Structure and Fees

New Patient Visit – $220.00*
• Appointment will begin at scheduled start time
• ~60 minutes of time with physician to review history, any imaging (if indicated) and perform physical evaluation
• Osteopathic examination of the head, spine and extremities for somatic dysfunction
• Osteopathic Manual Treatment (OMT) when indicated
• Home exercises to supplement treatment between appointments

Follow Up Patient Visits – $220.00/hr or $110.00/30 mins*
• Appointment will begin at scheduled start time
• ~30-60 minutes of time with physician (depending on time scheduled) to follow up on symptoms, review any new imaging (if indicated) and repeat Osteopathic examination of symptomatic regions (new and old)
• Osteopathic Manual Treatment (OMT) when indicated
• Home exercises to supplement treatment between appointments

Osteopathic treatments are eligible for reimbursement through your Flexible and Healthcare Spending Accounts (FSA & HSA).

In order to keep price for services low, personal checks and Venmo/PayPal/Cash Apps are preferred methods of payments.  Credit cards are accepted however but have an associated convenience charge.

*This fee represents discounted cash price

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