What happens during a visit to the osteopath? A visit to a D.O. is much like a visit to your family doctor. The D.O. will ask you questions about your medical history, physical condition, and lifestyle. However, the physical exam of your bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons will be more extensive than with your family doctor. During the physical, the D.O. will look at your posture, spine, and balance; check your joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments; and may use his hands to manipulate your back, legs, or arms. He may also measure changes in your skin temperature and sweat gland activity. If needed, the D.O. will order x-rays and laboratory tests. When the results are in, the D.O. will make a diagnosis and set up a treatment plan for you that may include prescription medications. What illnesses and conditions respond well to osteopathy? Most osteopathic doctors use many of the medical and surgical treatments used by medical doctors. OMTs are used to treat a variety of health problems, both musculoskeletal and non musculoskeletal. The best scientific evidence shows that OMTs are most effective for back and neck pain. In fact, you may be able to reduce the amount of pain medication you are taking for back pain if you receive OMTs as part of your therapy. Some preliminary evidence also shows that OMTs may be helpful for: Low back pain Ankle injuries Asthma Fibromyalgia Tennis elbow Neck pain Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Recovery after surgery Menstrual pain Depression Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) NB: Are there conditions that should not be treated with osteopathy? You should avoid osteopathic manipulation if you have a broken bone or dislocation, bone cancer, a bone or joint infection, damaged ligaments, rheumatoid arthritis of the neck, or osteoporosis. Osteopathic manipulation is not recommended for people who recently underwent joint surgery or for people taking an anticoagulant (blood thinning) medication, such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin).
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 10:52:38 +0000
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