“To discover wellbeing ought to be the object of the specialist. Anybody can discover illness”.—Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO
“Osteopathy-what’s that? Is that a bone disease?” This is the question I am frequently asked after stating that I am a physician specializing in osteopathy, a hands-on medical treatment approach and branch of conventional western medicine. Though most of my osteopathic physician (D.O.) colleagues practice traditional medicine identically to our M.D. colleagues, all D.O. physicians receive basic training in osteopathic treatment during medical school. Only a small percentage of physicians (mostly D.O. but a few MDs) specialize in osteopathy.
CrossFit and Osteopathy
All osteopathic practitioners are concerned with the structure and function of their patients’ bodies. To this end, Cross Fit is an excellent exercise for patients to try. As an osteopath, they often see injuries to the lower lumbar spine caused by poor lifting technique. These injuries are often made worse because a patient already has a poor posture and weakened core strength.
Cross fit works on the principle of strengthening the core first and then working out to the extremities. This can help strengthen weakened lumbar spines and prevent further injury. One vital component of Cross Fit is the squat technique and this teaches us to move correctly using the ankles, knees, and hips to bend down rather than just flexing the lumbar spine. An important aspect of any osteopathic consultation is working with the patient to improve their posture and movements to prevent further injury, teaching them to look after themselves.
Anyone considering starting a program such as Cross Fit can benefit from osteopathy before and during their training. An osteopathic consultation can help identify any potential weakness in the musculoskeletal system that may lead to injury. Osteopathy is also beneficial for treating sports injuries and can get patients quickly back to their training program. Finally and most importantly if you are considering taking up Cross-Fit always use a qualified instructor who can teach you how to perform the exercises properly and safely.
Osteopathy is a powerful, gentle, safe, and effective long term solution for acute/chronic pain, injuries, and illness. Abnormal body patterns, chronic postural/functional strains, disordered joint motion, traumatic forces, and compression/restrictions in body tissues are addressed. Treatment is appropriate for anyone of any age and condition, including infants and children, pregnant women, those in a fragile condition, and elite athletes.
Osteopathy (also known as osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), or osteopathic manual medicine) is common sense medicine based on the philosophy that
1) The body has the capacity for self-healing and regulation
2) The physician must treat the whole system to bring about effective, long-lasting change because the body is one unit
3) Body structure (anatomy) and body function (physiology) are interrelated. Body structure refers to all tissues in the body: muscles, bones, fascia, fluids, membranes and more
4) Once the root cause of the problem is addressed, the symptoms will disappear
The emphasis in osteopathy is on addressing core issues that are the root cause of pain and disease, not simply surface compensations or symptoms. Treating surface issues is a “quick fix” approach and will just mean the pattern/symptoms will return. For example, if a patient has a complaint of knee pain, instead of just prescribing pills for their symptoms (pain), an osteopath will feel the “living anatomy” of the knee and other body areas, to assess the true cause of the pain. The cause of the knee pain may be in the hip or foot or pelvis, leading to distorted motion/biomechanics of the knee and causing the knee pain. Physicians specializing in osteopathy believe this approach to medical problems greatly minimizes the need for medication and invasive procedures such as surgery because the actual cause of the problem is treated.
Another example is the relationship between the diaphragm (the domed shaped muscle under the lungs) and the ribs. These structures have their specific shape and location in the body because of the functions they serve. Due to their anatomic relationships and physiologic functions, strains in the diaphragm muscle and dysfunctional motion of the ribs can make it more difficult to breathe deeply and easily. Deep, effective breathing is a cornerstone of good health for everyone, but especially for those with any respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Osteopathic treatment can help these patients reduce their medication use and breathe more easily every day.
Osteopathy is sometimes confused with chiropractic, physical therapy, craniosacral therapy, or massage, but it is very different from these modalities in several key ways. The most significant differences are the level of training of the practitioner, scope of practice, and treatment approach and philosophy. Osteopathy is part of the practice of medicine and is based on anatomy, physiology, embryology, and diagnosis and treatment by palpation. All of these components require formal medical education, residency training, and continued post-graduate training in osteopathy.
OMM is helpful for everyone from elite athletes and other highly functioning performers to the most inactive couch potato. For many, osteopathy is a catalyst for profound therapeutic change because it removes the obstacles to healthy, balanced function in all body tissues. The Premier Plus PT credits osteopathy for helping patients recover after injuries and allowing them to compete in the Olympic Winter Games, to win gold and silver medals.
While many patients seek consultation with an OMM physician for musculoskeletal problems such as the neck, back, or other joint pain, OMM can also be beneficial for many other health problems, including sinus problems, pain in pregnancy, fibromyalgia, neurological problems, digestive problems, and ear infections and colic in children. Osteopathic treatment is reimbursable by insurance carriers.
