about osteopathic manipulative treatment
What is OMT? What does it treat?
Developed more than 100 years ago by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT ) has been refined through the years by physicians committed to the drugless treatment techniques he promoted.
Although other professionals offer some manipulative treatment services, only physicians trained in osteopathy integrate this hands-on treatment with a deeper knowledge of medicine.
OMT addresses a myriad of medical complaints and often reduces the need for pain medications or surgery.
In infants, these can include sucking difficulties, spitting up, “crooked head” (often avoiding expensive and cumbersome “helmet” therapy), “wry neck," delayed motor development, visual disturbances, chronic ear infections, digestive disorders, headaches, and sleep difficulties.
In children and youth, OMT offers alternative treatment for malocclusion (crooked teeth), “short leg,” sports injuries, concussions, early scoliosis, menstrual difficulties and asthma. Chronic conditions such as cerebral palsy, sensory integration problems, seizures, Asperger’s syndrome, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other learning disorders, among others, respond when part of a broader treatment regimen.
Back and neck pain are the most common conditions treated in adults, as are carpal tunnel syndrome and tempero-mandibular joint (TMJ) issues. Pregnant women often have easier deliveries (and healthier babies) if they get OMT during pregnancy and benefit additionally from post-natal treatment. Even post-surgical abdominal adhesions respond to these techniques.
Learn More about OMT
Want to learn more about Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment and its process? Discover some of Dr. Mills' research here:
What to expect at your appointment
OMT is remarkably safe and well-tolerated, especially when administered by an experienced medical physician.
A session can take as little as 20 minutes or more than an hour depending on the condition addressed and complexity of the issue. Other factors include whether you are a new patient or established and the tolerance of the patient to treatment. Babies usually take less time.
Treatment often requires the patient to lie down on a treatment table. For young children, a special toy or other distraction may help them relax. In others, brief, mild restraint by a parent is sometimes helpful, but only if the parent is comfortable.
Treatment is usually a relaxing experience for the patient, but some techniques used to relieve severe compression may feel a little less comfortable until the compression is released.
Dr. Mills may recommend patients to perform some exercises at home, or she may teach the patient techniques that can be performed on your own to assist treatment.
She recommends drinking extra water (to stay hydrated and flush out toxins in the body) and avoiding high impact activities for two full days after a treatment. It takes time for the treatment to “sink in” and reach its full benefit.