| Osteopathy (known as OMM osteopathic | | | | used to rectify misalignments in order to recover |
| manipulative medicine in the U.S.), stresses the | | | | the patient’s function and mobility. Your body |
| connection between all organ systems of the | | | | has a natural healing ability that is impaired when |
| body, specifically focusing on the Musculoskeletal | | | | your musculoskeletal system is not functioning |
| System, and its function throughout the entire | | | | properly. Once identified and alignment |
| body to unify the circulatory, nervous, endocrine, | | | | problems are treated, your body will be able to |
| immune, and musculoskeletal systems to function | | | | heal itself more efficiently. FM patients need to |
| one cohesive unit. This, combined with good | | | | make sure that the therapist has an |
| dietary and /or exercise prescription can enhance | | | | understanding of fibromyalgia because each |
| a fibromyalgia (FM) patient's well being. It is also | | | | therapy is specifically designed for the individual. |
| said to be helpful in treating FM’s over-lapping | | | | Certain therapies may aggravate your symptoms |
| conditions as well (i.e., CFS, CMP or MPS, IBS & | | | | where the same therapy may be tolerable or |
| others). In most countries osteopathy uses a | | | | beneficial for someone else. |
| more holistic approach and the use of a range of | | | | Poor posture can be a key element in FM and |
| manual and physical treatment interventions. | | | | CMP symptoms. Your osteopath will show you |
| Early intervention by an osteopath allows probable | | | | how to improve your posture in order to avoid |
| sources of referred pain to be identified, making it | | | | putting as much strain on your muscles and joints |
| possible for you to change to your lifestyle now | | | | as possible. If you have bad posture, it can |
| to avoid the inevitable pain later on. Osteopaths | | | | generate new trigger points in CMP patients and |
| can offer prevention advice such as stretching | | | | they are easily irritated once they are |
| exercises, lifting techniques, posture, breathing and | | | | developed. The trigger point needs to be |
| stress reduction, so that individuals can maintain | | | | released and stopped from coming back. |
| their own health. | | | | Joint manipulation can relieve pressure on nerve |
| OMM can be helpful in treating anterior knee pain, | | | | endings, release muscle tension and loosen up the |
| asthma, epicondylitis, tendonitis, impingement | | | | joints for ease of movement. The key to joint |
| syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and | | | | manipulation is that you (the patient) relax as |
| other gastrointestinal disorders, thoracic outlet | | | | much as possible. The more tense you are, the |
| syndrome, temporomandibular joint syndrome | | | | less likely it is that your joints can be manipulated. |
| (TMJ), headaches, back and neck pain, heel/ foot | | | | Osteopathy treatment may also include therapies |
| pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome and vertigo. | | | | such as acupuncture, laser therapy, and relaxation |
| It can also be an effective complementary | | | | training. |
| treatment for anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia | | | | Osteopathy is a university course, which includes |
| (FM), osteoarthritis, shin splints, tennis elbow, | | | | a degree and masters qualification. An osteopath |
| repetitive strain injury, degenerative disc disease, | | | | is licensed to prescribe medication and also |
| sinusitis, herniated disc, chronic obstructive lung | | | | perform surgery. You can find an osteopath in |
| disease, pneumonia, reflex sympathetic | | | | local hospitals, private practices, community health |
| dystrophy, Bell's palsy, pregnancy and childbirth, | | | | clinics, academic medical centers, and military |
| and premenstrual syndrome. | | | | hospitals. Basically, anywhere one would expect |
| Osteopaths are thoroughly educated about the | | | | to find a doctor. |
| placement of bones and muscles and how they | | | | Talk to your primary physician about any therapy |
| perform in relation to each other. Touch is used | | | | you might be considering. Your doctor can help |
| to locate any misalignments in your muscles, | | | | you decide what therapies/treatment options are |
| ligaments, or joints. Techniques such as deep | | | | best for you. |
| tissue massage and joint manipulation are then | | | | |