About Osteopathy

Osteopathic Medicine and Osteopathy
 
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Osteopathic medicine is a comprehensive holistic health care system that has been in existence for over a century and a quarter. It was originally named osteopathy by its founder, Andrew Taylor Still, MD, who envisioned a better way of treating patients without the use of drugs. Dr. Still believed that the human being contains within all drugs necessary to maintain health and fight disease. He developed hands-on manipulative therapies (osteopathic manipulation) to treat abnormalities in the patients anatomy (structure) and, thus, enhance his/her functioning and healing. He advocated proper exercise and nutrition and strongly believed in the triune nature of the person (body-mind-spirit). He strongly believed that the ultimate Source of healing was God.

Osteopathy developed as a form of alternative medicine against the established allopathic (MD) model of the late 19th century. It was based upon a holistic philosophy and specific principles laid down by Dr. Still. He stated, we look at the body in health as meaning perfection and harmony, not in one part, but as a whole. These osteopathic principles can be summarized in present-day terms as follows: 9

1. The human being is a unit, consisting of body, mind and spirit.
2. The human being is capable of self-regulating, self-healing, and health-maintenance.
3. Structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) are reciprocally interrelated.
4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function.

To many patients, medicine today seems to be impersonal high-tech, low-touch. The art of osteopathy (and osteopathic medicine) is practiced through the intelligent use of the doctors hands to communicate with, diagnose, and treat the patient. An extraordinary amount of information about a patient's condition can be gathered by listening to the body through the sense of touch. The patients system can relay all sorts of information about abnormal processes occurring in the body. A refined sense of diagnostic touch tells much more than what a patient thinks and says is wrong.

The use of the hands is not limited to receiving information about the health of an individual. The hands can be used to heal by restoring normal structural (anatomical) relationships in the body, thus improving body function. This is called osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).

For a variety of reasons, osteopathy evolved into present-day osteopathic medicine. Osteopathic medicine is the only other system in the U.S. besides allopathic (MD) medicine that provides complete healthcare. Osteopathic physicians, therefore, are fully-licensed and are trained to be family physicians, internists, orthopedists, pediatricians, sports medicine specialists, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, oncologists, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, neurosurgeons, dermatologists, urologists, OB/Gyn physicians, general surgeons, plastic surgeons, psychiatrists, pathologists, etc. We are able to prescribe medications and perform surgery when necessary. We maintain an integrative approach to healthcare by combining our holistic philosophy and osteopathic skills with conventional medicine. For a comparison of osteopathic medicine, allopathic medicine, chiropractic, and naturopathy, please see Table 1.



What is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)?

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is the therapeutic use of ones hands to restore normal structural relationships within the body. By restoring normal anatomical relationships, one can improve the functioning of the body.

Manipulation is a term that is often associated with various hands-on procedures performed by chiropractors to align the spine. Indeed, the spine is often a focal point of therapy and the osteopathic profession has developed many of its own unique manipulative treatments for abnormalities in spinal alignment and other body parts. Actually, any joint in the body and many organs and soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons) can be treated with OMT. Osteopathic techniques were developed independently of the chiropractic profession and are taught today in all osteopathic medical schools. Perhaps you have benefited in some way when your osteopathic physician performed OMT on you in the office or hospital.

How does OMT improve body functioning?

Besides aligning joints and other tissues to their proper positions, OMT also:

1. Restores normal blood flow into an area by affecting the arteries (improves the supply of oxygen and nutrients into tissues).
2. Restores normal blood flow out of an area by affecting the veins (improves drainage of waste products from tissues and eliminates congestion).
3. Improves lymphatic drainage (reduces swelling).
4. Improves nervous system function by reducing or eliminating mechanical compression of nerves and parts of the brain and spinal cord.
5. Reduces abnormal reflexes from organs to the body (viscerosomatic reflexes) or the body to organs (somatovisceral reflexes) that may be contributing to the disease state.
6. Decreases or eliminates pain.
7. Stimulates the immune system.
8. Prevents recurrences of pain, organ or body (somatic) dysfunction.
9. Reduces the effects of stress.
10. Restores balance to the body-mind-spirit.

OMT Techniques

Many different OMT techniques have been developed to address the uniqueness of each individual. Some techniques primarily treat joints, while others focus on muscles, soft tissues, organs, nervous system, and the immune system. Some OMT techniques have a primary effect on emotions and even the spiritual dimensions of an individual.

Here is a partial listing of various named techniques developed within the osteopathic profession:

1. Soft tissue
2. Myofascial release
3. Muscle-energy
4. Strain-counterstrain
5. Articulatory or thrusting
6. Lymphatic techniques
7. Facilitated positional release
8. Ligamentous articular strain
9. Balanced ligamentous tension
10. Cranial osteopathy (osteopathy in the cranial field; craniosacral)
11. Visceral (organ) manipulation
12. Dynamic strain-vector release
13. Neurofascial release
14. Somatoemotional release
15. Energetic techniques and others (See Energy Medicine)

What Conditions can be Treated with OMT?

OMT can be used to effectively treat a variety of common ailments with or without the adjunctive use of medications. These include acute and chronic pain, tension headaches, migraines, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders, neck and back pain, sports injuries, sprains and strains, overuse or repetitive motion injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, motor-vehicle accident related injuries, whiplash injuries, closed head injuries, and work-related injuries. Osteopathic manipulation can also be helpful in treating chronic ear infections in children, birth trauma, sinusitis, allergies, asthma, pneumonia, gastrointestinal disturbances such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), gastritis, peptic ulcers, post-surgical pain and complications, and many other conditions. Manipulative treatment can also help to release emotions stored in the body and assist in the personal growth and transformational processes that characterize deeper levels of healing.

How Often do I Need Treatment?

The goal of osteopathic manipulative treatment is to facilitate the healing process. Every patient is unique in his or her capacity to heal, so there is some individual variation in response to OMT. Typically, an osteopathic physician attempts to help a patient get back to normal in as short a time as possible.

OMT should be performed at a minimum effective frequency for a minimum effective duration. A patient usually needs treatment a maximum of once or twice a week. The minimum effective duration varies depending upon the condition being treated as well as a number of other factors. Many types of acute sprains and strains of the neck or low back may only require one to three treatments to resolve. More chronic conditions or multiple areas of injury (such as in a motor-vehicle accident) require more prolonged treatment. In addition to OMT, adjunctive therapies such as exercise, physical therapy, psychotherapy, biofeedback, massage, Rolfing, trigger point myotherapy, and acupuncture can be beneficial and are often vital in facilitating rehabilitation.

The efficacy and cost-effectiveness of osteopathic care have been shown time and time again. Comparison studies performed by Colorado, Hawaii, and Florida workers-compensation commissions demonstrated that for work-related low back problems, treatment by osteopathic physicians was significantly more cost-effective than treatment by surgical and non-surgical MDs, physical therapists, and chiropractors.

An Overview of Osteopathic Manipulative Techniques

Hands-On Contact
The value of touching a patient for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes is universally acknowledged by healthcare professionals. This essential component of the doctor-patient relationship has a great deal to do with the patients well-being, whether he/she suffers from the common cold or a terminal disease.

Soft Tissue
This procedure is commonly applied to the musculature surrounding the spine or elsewhere consisting of a rhythmic linear stretching, and deep pressure and traction.
Its purpose is to relax tight muscles and fibrous tissue layers and to move tissue fluids.

Muscle-Energy
Here the patient is directed to use his/her muscles from a precise position and in a specific direction against a counterforce applied by the physician in order to increase the mobility of a particular joint or body area.

Strain-Counterstrain
A technique developed by Larry Jones, DO, in which the physician finds an exquisitely sensitive tender point in the muscles that is associated with a particular dysfunction. The patient is positioned in a manner as to relieve tension and tenderness at the point. The position is held for 90 seconds, during which time the tissue releases, tenderness and dysfunction resolve.

Articulatory or Thrusting
Here a physician applies a quick force to restore normal joint motion. This technique uses long and short lever systems in the body and can be done very gently. In some respects, these are similar to some chiropractic techniques where one often hears the joint pop.

Lymphatic Techniques
These methods promote the circulation and drainage of lymphatic fluids and can be used to relieve respiratory tract infections, swelling in the tissues, and other conditions.

Cranial Osteopathy (Osteopathy in the Cranial Field; Craniosacral)
A gentle technique developed by William Garner Sutherland, DO, in the early 1900s. It uses the inherent subtle rhythmic motion of the body to restore normal cranial and sacral structural/functional relationships. Can be used to treat traumatic head injuries, birth trauma, headaches, TMJ disorders, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and even some visual disturbances. It is also extremely useful for treating middle ear infections (otitis media) in children and can prevent the need for antibiotics.

Visceral Manipulation
Developed and practiced in the early days of the osteopathic profession. Re-popularized by French osteopath Jean-Pierre Barral, DO, and his American protege, Kenneth Lossing, DO. Involves gentle manipulation and stretching of the viscera (internal organs) to restore normal motility and function.


Dynamic Strain-Vector Release
Developed recently by Jan Hendryx, DO. This OMT technique utilizes energetic strain-vectors within tissue distortions to normalize physical structure and function. Efficacy is based upon Einstein's famous equation E=mc2 which describes energy and matter as interconvertible, and upon Chinese medicine concepts. Energy, rather than matter (the body), is actually manipulated. Correction of energy dysfunction thus changes physical dysfunction in the body.


Somatoemotional Release
A technique combining cranial osteopathy with guided-imagery to create powerful body-mind healing. Co-developed by Martin Rossman, MD and John Upledger, DO in the 1980s.

Energy Medicine

Energy Medicine is a system of healthcare that uses energetics (i.e. biophysics) for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Although commonly applied to certain aspects of integrative or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), energy medicine principles have been used extensively in conventional Western medicine for years.

Medical tests that use a person's electrical and magnetic energy to diagnose and image abnormal conditions in the body include the:

EKG (heart)
EEG (brainwaves)
EMG (muscles and nerves)
Pulse oximetry (blood oxygen levels)
Thermography (heat, cold, blood flow)
MRI (structural abnormalities)
X-rays and CT scans all utilize radiation energy to image bones and soft tissues.
Ultrasound uses sound waves to image organs. Newer computerized techniques such as PET scans and functional MRIs can give us a 3-dimensional view of a person anatomy.

Energy-based conventional therapies include:

Ultrasound
Thermal (heat and cold)
Magnets
Bone stimulators
TENS units
Electrical stimulators
X-ray and gamma radiation (for cancer treatment)
Heart defibrillators
Light therapy (newborn jaundice, skin conditions, laser surgery)
Radio frequency devices

Einstein's famous equation E=mc2 means that energy and matter are interconvertible, and that matter is simply condensed energy. Our bodies (matter) produce energy and are energy. They are animated by an energetic life force. This energetic flowing life force goes by various names such as L-field,1 chi, qi, ki, prana, vital force, subtle energy, spirit, breath of life, tide, potency etc. A bioelectric field can be detected around the body with sensitive scientific instruments.

The biophysics of living systems is not emphasized in conventional biology and medicine. However, energy is the driving force behind chemical reactions and communication within the body. Energy is behind the healing phenomenon in large part.

In alternative medicine, energy models of healing abound. They underlie such modalities as acupuncture, hands-on healing, Reiki, Qi Gong, Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch, Polarity Therapy, Jin Shin Jyutsu, acupressure, reflexology, shiatsu, chakra balancing, Zero balancing, homeopathy, music therapy, color therapy, laser acupuncture, auricular or ear acupuncture therapy, flower essence therapy, homeopathy, and many others.

Energy models for how osteopathic manipulation works have also been theorized. One of the techniques that employs this concept is Dynamic Strain-Vector Release.

Do a Healers Hands Actually Emit Energy for Healing?

Patients often report feeling a sensation of heat in an area of their body that is being treated with ones hands or with acupuncture needles. When treating the head region with manipulation (i.e. cranial osteopathy, craniosacral treatment), patients often report seeing colors, even though their eyes are closed.

The photos below were taken without a flash using what light was available in the room.

This first photograph was taken by me for a physician CME presentation on acupuncture. It illustrates an acupuncturist taking a patients pulses to aid in oriental medicine diagnosis. You will notice an apparent image of whitish-yellow light emanating from the area.

This photograph was taken for the cover of my book, Healers Touch. You will notice an apparent image of a bright white light near my fingers above the model's forehead.

Both of these photographs were taken with a SLR camera and standard film with no special lighting or flash. The images of light or energy surprisingly showed up when the film was developed and were not visible during the photo shoot.

Energy emanating from the hands of healers has been measured scientifically in a number of ways. John Zimmerman, PhD, at the University of Colorado measured magnetic fields projected by the hands using an exquisitely sensitive instrument known as the SQUID magnetometer. These fields generally resonated at a frequency of 8 Hz (8 cycles/second). This 8 Hz frequency is actually the same as our brainwaves during meditation.

Healing energy emitted from the hands can also be measured using a digital real-time neurofeedback machine developed by Margaret Ayers (www.neuropathways.com). One can simply place the hand near (but not touching) the amplifier for this device, and record what appears to be an amplified EEG reading. By consciously thinking about sending energy from the hand, one can increase the voltage significantly over the background activity. In this preliminary study, the electrical activity measured follows a similar pattern to that recorded by Dr. Zimmerman. Thus it appears that the nature of this energy may be, at least in part, electromagnetic.

Margaret Ayers digital real-time EEG biofeedback machine records 250,000 samples of data per second. This data is stored on a computer in a number of ways, including average voltages (microvolts) per minute. Below is a table showing the average voltages before, during, and after sending energy. Actual data showing average voltages (microvolts) of Beta and Theta filtered frequencies measured during the above preliminary experiment.

More research into the true nature of energy healing needs to be conducted. For an in-depth discussion on this subject, please refer to an exquisite book by James L. Oschman, PhD, entitled, Energy Medicine: The Scientific Basis.7