osteopathic manipulative medicine

 Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, or OMM, is a form of treatment taught to students studying osteopathic medicine and becomes part of their therapeutic toolkit when they graduate as doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs).  In medicine, “manipulation” is defined as the therapeutic application of manual pressure or force. OMM, also called Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), is a form of manipulation that:

• Is the generic term used to refer to many different manipulation techniques
• Can be used to treat structural and functional issues in the bones, joints, tissues and muscles of the body
• Uses the relationship between the neuromusculoskeletal system and the rest of the body to restore functionality and/or remove barriers to motion and healing
• Achieves and maintains patient health as part of a whole system of evaluation and treatment
  

This brief video introduces the osteopathic tenets of mind, body and spirit, explains DOs can practice in all areas of medicine and discusses the unique practice of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).

 As one of many tools that DOs can utilize to care for patients, OMM:

• Can be used to treat a wide variety of common ailments, including headaches, arthritis, stress injuries, sports injuries and pain in areas such as the lower back, neck, shoulders and knees
• Provides a non-invasive and medication-free treatment option for patients
• Can be performed in many different environments
• Training enhances a physician’s overall diagnostic skills
• Can be administered safely in combination with other medical treatments to improve outcomes

• Only osteopathic physicians are trained and licensed to provide OMM
• OMM is a required and foundational element of osteopathic medical school curricula. Comprehensive OMM training occurs throughout an osteopathic medical student’s curriculum, as well as during clinical clerkship training
• DO graduates may also choose to pursue residency training to specialize in OMM

OMM can be used in addition to the treatments you may be receiving from Pain Management, Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy.  Although thought of as a natural pain relief method, it can also be used to increase mobility, increase circulation, and release stress. 

Yes!!!  Unlike Chiropractic Therapy Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment is covered by most insurance carriers!

 Osteopathic medicine was started in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, who pioneered the concept of “wellness” and recognized the importance of treating illness within the context of the whole body. Dr. Still later founded the first school of osteopathic medicine in Kirksville, Missouri in 1892.