|
|
|
Osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) provide you with all the
best that medicine has to offer. They can specialize in any recognized area of medicine, from pediatrics to
neurosurgery. However, their knowledge and use of the latest medical technology is complemented by their
application of a hands-on treatment tool known as osteopathic manipulative treatment, or
OMT.
|
Using OMT, D.O.s bring an added dimension to healthcare, in the form of a non-invasive treatment. D.O.s
use OMT to diagnose, treat and even prevent illness or injury. When appropriate it can be used in conjunction
with, or in place of, medication or surgery.
Osteopathic Medicine: A Unique Philosophy of
Care
D.O.s are widely recognized for their incorporation of
manipulative medicine into their spectrum of care. OMT is
just one element of the unique philosophy of osteopathic
medicine.
The Big Picture
By taking the whole person approach to care, D.O.s don’t
just focus on the disease or injury. They look for the
underlying causes of disease instead of simply treating the
symptoms. Not only do they consider your physical
condition, but also they take other factors into account like home, work and family life when making a diagnosis.
Patient, Heal Thyself
D.O.s recognize that the body is inherently capable of
healing itself, though it must constantly fight physical,
emotional and nutritional "stressors" to maintain a state of
wellness. D.O.s believe in educating you about good
health and prevention of disease.
The Musculoskeletal System
D.O.s place particular emphasis on the musculoskeletal
system, which comprises two-thirds of the body’s mass.
D.O.s believe that all of the body’s systems, including the
musculoskeletal system, work together and that disturbances in one system may impact function
elsewhere in the body. This understanding of body
structure and function provides the foundation for the
osteopathic approach to medicine.
The ABC’s of OMT and How It Can Work for You
OMT is predicated upon your D.O.’s knowledge of
medicine. Once your D.O. has ruled out mechanical
causes for your illness or injury (through blood and urine
testing, X-rays, etc.), and based upon physical and
mechanical findings, your D.O. may decide to utilize OMT.
While it is commonly associated with physical ailments
such as low back pain, this modality can also be used to
relieve the discomfort or musculoskeletal abnormality
associated with a number of disorders, including: asthma,
sinus disorder, carpal tunnel, migraines and menstrual
pain.
The osteopathic approach to treating many diseases includes medication and/or surgical intervention, plus
OMT. OMT can relieve muscle pain associated with a
disease and can hasten your recovery from illness by
promoting blood flow through tissues.
Your Structural Exam
Diagnosis
Your structural exam will begin with an assessment of your posture, spine and balance. Your
D.O. will then use his fingers to palpate your back and extremities. Your D.O. will then use his fingers to
palpate your back and extremities. He will also check your joints for restriction and/or pain during
motion as well as check your muscles, tendons and ligaments where tenderness can signal a problem.
Through extensive osteopathic training in
manipulative medicine, D.O.s can detect changes in
tissue, however small, that signal injury or impairment.
Once the structural exam is complete, your D.O. will
integrate this information with your medical history
and a complete physical exam. After that point, a treatment plan can be established.
Treatment
Using a variety of OMT techniques, your D.O. will apply manual forces to your body’s affected areas to
treat structural abnormalities and will then apply specific corrective forces to relieve joint restrictions
and misalignments. Based upon the severity of your problem, you may require more than one treatment.
The Osteopathic Approach
Case 1
Mary visited her D.O. complaining of a sharp pain in her side. The physician asked a series of questions
about her pain: its intensity, onset and duration. They also discussed her medical history. The physician
then ordered a series of tests to determine whether the pain was caused by disease (i.e. gallbladder or
appendix). Tests revealed that it was not. Since the patient indicated that she worked in an office with a
"surround style" desk, the D.O. considered that Mary might be suffering from postural/mechanical strain.
Based upon his examination, interview with the patient and negative test results, the physician
decided to employ OMT to relieve motion restrictions and muscle strain caused by improper sitting and
movement. He also recommended changes in the set-up of her workstation to alleviate further pain.
Case 2
Michael’s symptoms included cough, congestion,
fever and headache. Suspecting chronic sinusitis,
his D.O. conducted an exam and ordered appropriate tests. When results confirmed the
diagnosis, the physician prescribed an antibiotic to treat the infection. She also employed a variety of
OMT techniques to promote sinus drainage and relieve pain related to the infection. Michael’s
congestion was markedly reduced after just one OMT session. Upon completion of his antibiotic
therapy two weeks later, his infection was eliminated.
Who Can Benefit From OMT
People of all ages and backgrounds have found relief from
pain and dysfunction as well as improved mobility through
OMT. D.O.s incorporate this modality into their treatment
plans for top athletes and performance artists, workers
with on-the-job injuries and thousands of people, just like
you.
Proof Positive: OMT Works
A study published in the November 4, 1999 issue of the
New England Journal of Medicine confirms what D.O.s
have known for years–that OMT works. In this case,
researchers examined the effectiveness of OMT for treating low back pain.
Patients were divided into two groups – one treated with
standard options like hot/cold packs, physical therapy and
anti-inflammatory medication while the other group
received OMT and standard care. After a twelve-week
period, patients in both groups showed improvement.
However, researchers learned that the patients receiving
OMT required less medication and physical therapy,
resulting in less side effects and lower health care costs.
Another study released on OMT revealed its effectiveness
in reducing pain after a hysterectomy. Researchers
measured the amount of morphine to treat patients’ pain
as well as their perception of their pain levels. Upon the
study’s completion, it was determined that administering
OMT significantly reduced patients’ needs for pain
medication.
By incorporating OMT into their practice of complete
medicine, D.O.s are providing the most comprehensive
care available today.
A History of Hands-On Healing
The earliest medical writings from centuries past describe
the efficacy of manual medicine. In 1874, osteopathic
medicine’s founder, Dr. A.T. Still, recognized the power of
hands-on care and incorporated it into his philosophy of
medicine. Dr. Still identified the musculoskeletal system
as a key element of health; he recognized the body’s
self-healing capacity; he emphasized prevention, exercise
and keeping fit; and he identified palpation and human
touch as vital and less intrusive elements of diagnosis and
treatment. As the impressive growth of osteopathic
medicine demonstrates, Dr. Still’s founding tenets have
withstood the test of time and scientific scrutiny.
Osteopathic Medical Education
D.O.s complete four years of medical training at one of the nation’s fully accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine.
The osteopathic curriculum is intensive and broad-based. It includes comprehensive training in the musculoskeletal
system and the use of OMT. Manipulation combined with the osteopathic principles of holistic care, prevention and
primary care makes osteopathic medicine unique.
Upon graduation from medical school, D.O.s complete a
one-year rotating internship through all the areas of primary care. Afterwards, they may complete a residency in any of
more than 120 specialty and subspecialty areas of medicine. However, sixty-four percent of all D.O.s remain
in primary care practices.
|
|
