What is a manual osteopath treatment and how does it work?

Osteopathy is for people who want to treat the cause of their pain instead of masking symptoms.

A manual osteopath works by treating the body as a whole. They maintain, improve and restore the structure and function, working with the body’s ability to heal itself.  It is a gentle hands-on treatment assessing and using four modalities.

The four modalities of osteopathy

Visceral treatment: organs

Organs are assessed to make sure they aren’t restricted, getting stuck or twisted. Gentle techniques move the connective tissue restoring function. Most common are digestive issues, cramps and bloating. However, a restriction in an organ can add to low back pain or decrease range of motion in your shoulder. Also, emotional stress can be interrelated.

Craniosacral therapy: skull, hips and spinal column

This is a very gentle technique with a variety of slower holds. Releasing restrictions with this therapy helps many ailments such as vertigo, migraines, tinnitus, concussions and emotional stress as well as trouble sleeping. Babies are also very receptive to this technique.

Fascia treatment: soft connective chain of tissue throughout your body

These treatments can release restrictions which can provide relief throughout the body. A restriction in fascia can end up creating tightness and decreased range of motion down a fascial chain in a different spot in the body often further away than you’d think.

Osteoarticular technique: bones and joint alignment

This is different from chiropractic treatment as there is no sudden movements. It works with muscle energy technique moving and resisting in a pain free manor to correct dysfunction in joints and muscles. Common areas needing treatment are hips and shoulders.

Who benefits from manual osteopathic treatments?

All kinds of people can benefit from a manual osteopathic treatment from elders to babies, athletes and pregnant women. All four modalities are gentle and specific to the patient’s needs for each separate treatment day they come in.

It’s recommended to wear comfortable clothes you can move in as the treatment is hands on with gentle shifting of the body and often involves changing positions from laying, sitting and standing.