OMT: Hands-On Care

Posted: June 1, 2004

Osteopathic manipulative treatment, or OMT, involves using the hands to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. The osteopathic physician (D.O.) moves muscles and joints using techniques including stretching, gentle pressure and resistance.

OMT can help people of all ages and backgrounds. It can:

• ease pain
• promote healing
• increase mobility

OMT is often used to treat muscle pain. But it can also help patients with a number of other health problems, among them:

• asthma
• sinus disorder
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• migraines
• menstrual pain

The following are definitions for common OMT techniques:

Articulation: Physician gently and repeatedly forces the joint against the restrictive barrier, intending to reduce the barrier and improve motion.

Reason for Applying:
Most often applied to postoperative patients and elderly patients suffering from arthritis.

Muscle Energy: Manipulative treatment in which the patient’s muscles are actively used on request from a precisely controlled position, in a specific direction, and against a distinctly executed counterforce.

Reason for Applying:
Applied to strengthen weak muscles, activate inhibited muscles, and strengthen short, tight muscles.

Myofascial Release: Also referred to as MFR, this procedure is designed to stretch and reflexly release patterned soft tissue and joint-related restrictions.

Reason for Applying:
Applied to patients suffering from muscle tightness.

Thrust: Moving a restricted joint in the direction it is resisting.

Reason for Applying:
Treats motion loss and impaired or altered functions of the body’s framework.

Source: American Osteopathic Association

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