How Osteopaths Treat - Osteopathy Information Resource

GENERAL INFORMATION, AIMS, AND TYPES OF
OSTEOPATHIC TREATMENT

Osteopaths pride themselves on treating the patient rather than just the condition. As part of this the osteopath ensures patient comfort with all techniques.

Osteopathic treatment is applied after taking a full past medical history and comprehensive physical examination. Osteopaths pride themselves on detailed knowledge of Embryology, Development, Pathology, Physiology, Anatomy, and Biomechanics and combine the information to evaluate a treatment and technique approach.

Your osteopath will select techniques that you are comfortable with
Treatment techniques and a treatment plan is selected and tailored to the individual. An important protocol in Osteopathic treatment is informed consent and your osteopath will evaluate your understanding of what treatment is going to performed prior to implementing it. Your osteopath has been trained to use a diverse range of treatment methods to achieve required results. For example, you may be uncomfortable with joint manipulation (e.g. joint cracking) so your osteopath will apply another technique with an aim of producing the same outcome.

Aims of Osteopathic Technique:

Reduce pain and discomfort
Restore and enhance structure & function
Relieve pressure
Increase blood/fluid movement and flow
Improve joint range of motion
Provide movement and stretch superficial deep structures of the body.
Improve joint nutrition
Stimulate circulation
Restore tone and muscle relaxation
Restore fascial elasticity
Increase general well being

Some techniques Osteopaths apply:

Soft Tissue Techniques/Massage: Various massage and myofascial techniques to muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Including rhythmic techniques such as kneading, stretching, effleurage/drainage, inhibition springing, traction and vibratory techniques.
Articulation & Mobilisation: gentle rhythmic movement of joints, muscles and tissues.
Muscle Energy Technique: A technique which uses assistance of the patient to activate muscles from a position controlled by the osteopath which allows for reflex changes in pain, tension and restrictions of related tissues..
Counter-strain: A gentle technique where a tender/trigger point (e.g. in muscle or fascia) is placed in a specific position and held until the there are changes in tension, restriction and pain in the related tissues.
Myofascial Release Technique: a form of soft tissue therapy aimed at releasing the tension within the myofascial tissues. The body consists of a fascial network envelopes and connects tissues (muscles, skeletal structures and organs) and this technique assists with restoring structure to this network.
Joint Manipulation (High Velocity Low Amplitude): The osteopath will ask permission prior to performing this technique. The osteopath will identify a joint not moving well. The barrier to motion will be engaged and a quick but short thrust is applied to overcome that barrier. Often a popping noise will be heard.
Balance Ligamentous Tension: The osteopath will use their palpatory skills and knowledge of anatomy to assess an area of the body (e.g. a joint) and will apply gentle movements to find a balance of structures to restore normal structure & function.
Craniosacral Therapy: Cranio-sacral therapy involves the therapist placing their hands on the patient in certain positions which allows them to tune into the cranio-sacral rhythm and work with that rhythm to augment its effects. It is an alternative medicine therapy used by physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, naturopaths, and osteopaths.