FAQs

What is Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine?

Osteopathic medicine is a branch of medical practice in the United States that emphasizes a holistic approach to healthcare. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) are fully licensed physicians who are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses and injuries. Here are key aspects of osteopathic medicine:

1. Whole-Person Approach: DOs are trained to consider the whole person, including their lifestyle, environment, and mental health, when diagnosing and treating medical conditions.
2. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT): This is a set of hands-on techniques used by DOs to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. OMT involves using the hands to move a patient’s muscles and joints using techniques that include stretching, gentle pressure, and resistance.
3. Emphasis on Preventive Care: Osteopathic medicine places a strong emphasis on preventive care. DOs often counsel patients on how to stay healthy and avoid illness.
4. Medical Training: DOs complete medical school and are trained in all the modern medical technologies and treatments. In addition to the standard medical curriculum, they receive additional training in the musculoskeletal system.
5. Licensing and Practice: DOs are licensed to practice medicine, perform surgery, and prescribe medications in all 50 states and in more than 65 countries.
6. Patient-Centered Care: DOs are trained to listen and partner with their patients to help them get healthy and stay well.

The philosophy behind osteopathic medicine is that the body has an innate ability to heal itself, and the role of the DO is to support this process through comprehensive care that includes both conventional medical treatments and OMT.

All physicians in US and international medical schools learn an allopathic model that is well-equipped to save lives and intervene on disease processes. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) learn the allopathic content structured within the osteopathic model, developed by Dr. A.T. Still in the late 1800s. The osteopathic medical approach emphasizes anatomy, physiology, and the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit to promote the patient’s innate self-healing and self-regulatory mechanisms. It is effective at improving function and quality of life, and can often reduce pain, among other benefits. It is not exclusively for pain management, but can play a key role in alleviating pain by restoring normal motion of various structures. It is also not exclusively for musculoskeletal complaints, although the treatment approach may involve manipulating tissues such as bone, muscle, fascia, etc.

Osteopathy vs Osteopathic Mecidine?

Osteopathy and Osteopathic medicine are related but distinct healthcare approaches. Osteopathy, in general, is a form of medicine that focuses on improving overall health by manipulating bones, joints, muscles, organs, nerves, and arteries. On the other hand, Osteopathic medicine is a comprehensive medical practice that combines traditional diagnosis and treatment with osteopathic techniques. Osteopathic physicians, or DOs, undergo medical training similar to MDs, but they also learn osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). In other countries, practitioners of osteopathy as a paramedical therapy are called Osteopaths. They do not have a medical education like DOs in America, but utilize the same principles and philosophies in their treatments. In summary, osteopathic medicine encompasses a full medical practice with an additional focus on manual therapy, whereas osteopathy often refers specifically to manual therapeutic practices without the broader medical scope.

Do all DOs do OMM?

Not all Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) regularly perform Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) as part of their practice. The use of OMM can vary widely among DOs based on several factors:

1. Specialty: DOs who practice in primary care fields such as family medicine, internal medicine, or pediatrics are more likely to use OMM regularly. Those who specialize in areas such as surgery, radiology, or other non-primary care specialties may use OMM less frequently or not at all.
2. Training and Interest: The extent to which a DO uses OMM can depend on their training, comfort level, and personal interest in the technique. While all DOs receive training in OMM during medical school, the depth of this training and the emphasis placed on it can vary by institution and by individual interest.
3. Practice Setting: The type of healthcare setting can influence the use of OMM. For example, DOs in solo or small group practices may have more flexibility to incorporate OMM into their patient care routines compared to those working in larger, hospital-based practices where time constraints and institutional practices might limit the use of OMM.
4. Patient Population: The needs and preferences of the patient population can also affect whether a DO uses OMM. Some patients may seek out DOs specifically for OMM, while others may be more interested in conventional medical treatments.

While all DOs are trained in OMM, not all choose to use it regularly in their practice. Those who do use OMM often find it to be a valuable tool in treating musculoskeletal issues, enhancing overall patient care, and providing a holistic approach to health.

All DOs learn a basic introduction to OMM in the first two years of medical school. While some continue to utilize certain diagnostic methods or manual techniques throughout their careers, only a few choose to pursue further training in OMM during residency or fellowship, and they are deemed specialists in the field. Any DO can use OMM, but skill and comfort level may vary with experience.

Why see an ONMM physician?

Seeing an Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (ONMM) physician can be beneficial for various reasons, particularly if you have specific health concerns related to the musculoskeletal system. Here are some key reasons why you might seek care from an ONMM physician:

1. Specialized Expertise in Musculoskeletal Issues

ONMM physicians have advanced training in diagnosing and treating disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system. This includes conditions like chronic pain, back pain, joint problems, and sports injuries.

2. Holistic Approach to Treatment

ONMM physicians use a holistic approach to healthcare, considering the interconnectedness of the body’s systems. They focus on the relationship between structure and function and how this affects overall health.

3. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)

ONMM specialists are experts in OMT, a hands-on technique used to alleviate pain, improve function, and support the body’s natural ability to heal. This can be particularly effective for patients who prefer non-surgical and non-pharmacological treatments.

4. Comprehensive Care

ONMM physicians integrate osteopathic principles with conventional medical treatments, providing a comprehensive approach to patient care. They can offer a combination of OMT and other therapeutic interventions tailored to individual needs.

5. Chronic Pain Management

For patients suffering from chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, or chronic lower back pain, an ONMM physician can offer specialized treatments and management strategies that may improve quality of life.

6. Prevention and Wellness

ONMM physicians emphasize preventive care and wellness. They work with patients to develop lifestyle modifications, exercise programs, and other strategies to maintain and improve musculoskeletal health.

7. Rehabilitation and Recovery

Patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, or other medical conditions can benefit from the rehabilitative techniques used by ONMM physicians. These techniques can aid in faster and more effective recovery.

Common Conditions Treated by ONMM Physicians:

• Back and Neck Pain: Management of acute and chronic back pain, including disc problems and muscle strains.
• Joint Pain: Treatment for arthritis, bursitis, and other joint-related issues.
• Sports Injuries: Rehabilitation and treatment of sports-related injuries, enhancing performance and preventing future injuries.
• Headaches and Migraines: Addressing musculoskeletal factors that contribute to headaches.
• Postural Problems: Correction of posture-related issues that can cause pain and dysfunction.

When to Consider Seeing an ONMM Physician:

• If you have persistent or chronic musculoskeletal pain that has not responded to conventional treatments.
• If you prefer a non-invasive, holistic approach to managing your health.
• If you are recovering from an injury or surgery and need specialized rehabilitative care.
• If you are looking for preventive strategies to maintain musculoskeletal health.

In summary, an ONMM physician can provide specialized, holistic care for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, emphasizing both treatment and prevention through the use of osteopathic principles and OMT.

If your car breaks down you take it to a mechanic…osteopaths are like bio-mechanics who diagnose and treat structural problems (termed somatic dysfunctions) with their hands, and occasionally with other modalities including ultrasound and regenerative injections, in order to improve function.