| Osteopathy or "osteopathic manipulative medicine" is a very gentle form of hands-on manipulation that can be applied to various parts of the body. Osteopathy is based on the principle that structure and function are closely linked, so improving the structure of the body with manipulation can improve its function. A condition in which free motion is able to occur is conducive to health, whereas one in which motion is blocked predisposes to illness. There are many different techniques within the field of osteopathy, and the type of manipulation that I do primarily is called "cranial" or "craniosacral" osteopathy. Although these terms imply manipulation of the head and the sacrum, they are somewhat of a misnomer in that the principles of treatment can be applied to any area of the body. Of all the osteopathic techniques, cranial osteopathy is probably the most subtle, yet its effects are quite profound. Often just a slight repositioning of a joint or body part can create a state of balance such that a restriction will release. With osteopathy, many different anatomical structures can be affected, including the bones, muscles, ligaments, fascia, organs, and even the cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord. Because the different aspects of one’s anatomy are all interconnected, I will generally treat the entire body even if somebody is suffering from symptoms in just one particular area. For example, neck pain could be related to an imbalance elsewhere, so it could be relieved by treating the sacrum or feet. Most people find an osteopathic treatment to be very soothing and relaxing. Sometimes a patient will even fall asleep while being treated. During a treatment a patient may experience not only a decrease in physical tension but also a release of emotional tension. These physical and emotional changes may continue to occur even after the treatment is over. When a patient has had traumas, such as falls or accidents, the strain of these injuries may remain in the body. With osteopathy, we can release strains from prior traumas which may have predisposed a person to experience later health problems. What I enjoy about osteopathy is that it takes advantage of our natural healing potential. Even if a person is very ill, he or she maintains the capacity to heal. My purpose as a physician using osteopathy is to expedite the healing process and to release any blocks that may be impeding one's inherent ability to achieve optimal health. |
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