The Health Benefits of Osteopathy
Osteopathy is often considered by many as one of the many treatments for neck and back pain, but in actuality, this form of treatment can help in a wide array of conditions. These conditions include chronic strain injury, postural imbalances brought about by driving and work stress, arthritis, and minor sports injuries. Most individuals above 50 often manifest some form of osteoarthritis which usually shows up as aching or stiffness of the muscles and the sporadic severe body tremor. Osteopathic physicians can help reduce continuing strain in the ligaments and muscles which would result in the recovery of mobility of the spine. With mobility back, the number of acute episodes will definitely diminish. Osteopathy can play a vital role in the reduction of aches and pains related to osteoporosis, although it may not be able to totally cure the condition.
During the initial visit, the osteopath will determine your health issue, and in the process, ask if you have other medical conditions before doing a thorough physical assessment. You may be even asked to do a few uncomplicated movements in order for the osteopath to observe your mobility and posture. The physician will probably touch your tissues, joints, and ligaments to detect if there is any tenderness or inconsistency. After a complete diagnosis has been done, the osteopath will devise a strategy of treatments using various techniques. Some of these techniques include soft tissue stretching, massage, manipulation of the joints and the spine, muscle energy technique which can help minimize the occurrence of muscle spasms, and other mild methods create to bring back balance to the body and motivate the body’s natural healing process. Osteopathy treatment is generally very gentle but it can be considerably stronger if the condition of the patient requires it to be so.
Although you can keep your clothes on when being treated, some prefer to change into something loose when being examined and treated. After the treatment session, your osteopath may recommend some specific workout exercises to maintain the suppleness of your muscles and prevent the recurrence of pain. You may also be advised to non-invasive methods of reducing pain such as the application of ice packs, aside from improving your posture and changing your other lifestyle habits which may be contributing to muscle injury. There are osteopaths who do house visits if you are unable to travel to the clinic. Understandably, home visits are a bit more expensive than clinic appointments.
Some of the benefits of osteopathic treatment include:
- The reduction or sometimes removal of the original cause of pain
- Lessening of pain and stiffness in joints and muscles
- Improved and increased motions in the joints
- Treatment of spinal problems brought about by improper posture and spinal disk injuries
- Relieves chronic pain via non-invasive methods
- Effectively eases the stress on the joints
- Minimizes tension in the body
- Gets rid of tension headaches and migraines
- Helps the body in adapting to structural and hormonal changes that usually occur during pregnancy
- Minimizes adhesions and scars
- Effective in treating trauma as a consequence from sports and motor accidents
- Boosts self-healing
- Increases blood circulation
- Reduces blood pressure
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