Osteopathic medicine is a type of medicine that considers the entire body and not just a person’s individual or isolated symptoms. Osteopathic medicine is very popular right now, especially for people who suffer from joint and muscle pain. Many people believe that when you have neck pain, one of the best resources you can seek out is an osteopath. Of course, if you’ve never visited an osteopath before, you might be nervous, but you really need not worry. Here is what to expect when you visit an osteopath to treat neck pain.
In the beginning, your osteopathic exam will probably feel a lot like a visit to a traditional doctor’s office. You’ll be asked for your complete medical history and be given a routine physical exam. Your osteopath might then need to do some extra tests in order to help figure out the exact reason for your neck pain. An X-Ray might be taken to help determine if your neck has any damaged vertebrae, but be prepared: your osteopath will probably examine the rest of your body too!
It is important to know that when you visit an osteopath for help with your neck pain, you should leave your “personal space” at home. Osteopathic treatment is hands on!
The osteopath you visit can use any or all of the following methods to treat your neck pain:
Counterstrain technique: this is where you are moved into a position that helps to restore the motion to any muscles that might have been restrained/strained.
Muscle Energy technique: In this technique, your osteopath will prescribe specific exercises. These exercises will start you in specific poses and move your muscles in specific ways.
Soft Tissue technique: this technique involves your osteopath putting pressure on the muscles that are near and around your spine. Sometimes the pressure is deep, other times it involves traction or rhythmic stretching.
Thrust technique: your osteopath will use high velocity force to reintroduce movement to your joints or to get rid of any signs of muscle asymmetry, restricted movement, muscle tenderness or tissue changes.
If your osteopath deems it necessary, your neck pain might be treated with a low level laser or even acupuncture!
An osteopathic visit might sound scary, but there is no reason to be frightened. Most people who visit an osteopath don’t experience any pain. Most of the time osteopathic visits have been reported to be pleasant and relaxing!
A number of people often confuse osteopaths with chiropractors, but it is important to understand that the two professionals, while seemingly similar, are actually quite different! A chiropractor is a professional who wants to treat your spine and joints. Osteopaths want to work with you and help treat your entire body.
