Osteopathic manipulative medicine is one of the hallmarks of the osteopathic profession. Manipulative therapy is a “hands-on” non-surgical treatment of the whole body with emphasis on the musculoskeletal, neurologic, lymphatic, and vascular systems. You may find it hard to believe but there are physicians that want to do something besides give pills or send you to a surgeon.  All D.O.s learn the “basics” of manipulative medicine treatments in medical school but only some of them practice it after graduation. A small percentage of D.O.s complete additional training in manipulative medicine and specialize in non-surgical treatments of a variety of problems. Most people don’t think of physicians doing manipulative medicine but osteopaths were the first group of modern medical professionals to use body manipulations in medical treatment.  We have been around before chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, or anyone else doing manipulation in health care; we have over 125 years of experience!

Only D.O.s Do Osteopathic Manipulation, Right?

At one time this was true, but it is not the case anymore.  There is a big interest in the allopathic (M.D.) community and more M.D.s are learning manipulation than ever before.  I suspect this trend will do nothing but increase. Almost all continuing medical education courses are open to M.D.s, and I have met many that are quite good at manipulative medicine.

What Conditions Do We Treat?

Musculoskeletal problems are probably some of the most common things we treat, including all types of back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, scoliosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, and many other upper or lower extremity problems. We frequently treat headaches, especially tension and migraine types. Other medical conditions such as asthma, allergies, and chronic sinusitis may respond well, too.  Manipulation is often the treatment of choice for many conditions, but it is also used as an adjunct to more traditional medical therapy.  

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