Osteopathic medicine is a type of medicine that considers the entire body and not just a person’s individual or isolated symptoms. Osteopathic medicine is very popular right now, especially for people who suffer from joint and muscle pain. Many people believe that when you have neck pain, one of the best resources you can seek out is an osteopath. Of course, if you’ve never visited an osteopath before, you might be nervous, but you really need not worry. Here is what to expect when you visit an osteopath to treat neck pain.
In the beginning, your osteopathic exam will probably feel a lot like a visit to a traditional doctor’s office. You’ll be asked for your complete medical history and be given a routine physical exam. Your osteopath might then need to do some extra tests in order to help figure out the exact reason for your neck pain. An X-Ray might be taken to help determine if your neck has any damaged vertebrae, but be prepared: your osteopath will probably examine the rest of your body too!
It is important to know that your appointment will involve a lot of physical contact between you and your osteopath. Osteopathic treatment is very “hands on.”
You can expect to be treated in any of the following ways when you ask an osteopath to treat neck pain:
Counterstrain technique: this is where you are moved into a position that helps to restore the motion to any muscles that might have been restrained/strained.
Muscle Energy technique: your osteopath will give you specific exercises in which you will use your muscles from a specific position and move them in specific directions.
Soft Tissue technique: Pressure is applied to the muscles around your spine by your osteopath. This technique might involve deep pressure, traction or rhythmic stretching.
Thrust technique: In the thrust technique your osteopath will reintroduce movement to your joints with high velocity force. This should help rid you of any asymmetry in your muscles, any movement that has been restricted and any tissue changes or muscle tenderness.
In some cases, osteopaths will also use low level lasers or acupuncture to treat their patients.
An osteopathic visit might sound scary, but there is no reason to be frightened. Most people who visit an osteopath don’t experience any pain. Most of the time osteopathic visits have been reported to be pleasant and relaxing!
A number of people often confuse osteopaths with chiropractors, but it is important to understand that the two professionals, while seemingly similar, are actually quite different! A chiropractor is a professional who wants to treat your spine and joints. Osteopaths want to work with you and help treat your entire body.
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