What is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment?

OMT: Hands-On Care

Nearly every day, medical science unveils new discoveries from brain scans to anti-cancer drugs. In the midst of these wonders, it’s easy to forget that sometimes what patients really need is a healing touch.

Osteopathic physicians haven’t forgotten.

What Is OMT?
Osteopathic manipulative treatment, or OMT, is hands-on care. It involves using the hands to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. Using OMT, your osteopathic physician (D.O.) will move your muscles and joints using techniques including stretching, gentle pressure and resistance.

Who Can Benefit From OMT?
OMT can help people of all ages and backgrounds. It can:

• ease pain
• promote healing
• increase mobility

OMT is often used to treat muscle pain. But it can also help patients with a number of other health problems such as:

• asthma
• sinus disorder
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• migraines
• menstrual pain

When appropriate, OMT can complement––and even replace––drugs or surgery. In this way, OMT brings an important dimension to standard medical care.