What Does an Osteopathic Practitioner Actually Treat?
If you’ve heard of osteopathy but aren’t entirely sure what an osteopathic practitioner actually does, you’re definitely not alone.One of the most common questions we hear is: “What would I see an osteopathic practitioner for?” The short answer? A lot of the same aches, pains and movement concerns that may bring you to a massage therapist, chiropractor or physiotherapist — but the way an osteopathic practitioner assesses and approaches those concerns can be quite different.
Osteopathy Looks Beyond Where It Hurts
You don’t need to know exactly what is causing your discomfort before booking an osteopathic appointment. That’s part of the assessment. Osteopathic manual practitioners look at how different areas of the body move and function together. The area that hurts is important, but it isn’t necessarily the only area your practitioner will assess.
For example, persistent hip or low-back discomfort may involve more than the muscles immediately surrounding the painful area. Your practitioner may also look at mobility through the pelvis, spine, rib cage or other related structures to better understand what may be contributing to the way your body is moving. Treatment is then tailored to what they find during that assessment.
So, What Can You See an Osteopathic Practitioner For?
People commonly seek osteopathic care for musculoskeletal concerns such as:
- Back and neck pain or stiffness
- Shoulder discomfort and restricted movement
- Hip and pelvic discomfort
- Headaches associated with muscle or joint tension
- Jaw or TMJ/TMD-related concerns
- Postural strain
- Sports and activity-related aches and injuries
- Repetitive strain and overuse concerns
- General joint stiffness or restricted mobility
- Ongoing muscle tension
- Changes in movement following an injury
- Discomfort associated with the physical changes of pregnancy and postpartum recovery
Some people also come to osteopathy because something simply doesn’t feel like it is moving properly, even when they can’t point to one specific injury.
What Does Osteopathic Treatment Feel Like?
Osteopathic treatment is hands-on, but it isn’t the same as massage. Depending on your assessment and treatment goals, your practitioner may use a combination of gentle joint movement, stretching, soft-tissue techniques and other manual approaches intended to improve mobility and function. Treatment can be quite subtle in some areas and more active in others. There isn’t one standard osteopathic treatment that every patient receives. Your treatment should reflect your body, your symptoms and what your practitioner finds during your assessment.
How Is Osteopathy Different From Massage Therapy, Chiropractic or Physiotherapy?
There can absolutely be overlap between these professions — and that’s okay. A Registered Massage Therapist may focus extensively on muscles, fascia and other soft tissues. A chiropractor may assess and treat joint and musculoskeletal function. A physiotherapist may incorporate manual therapy, rehabilitation and exercise to restore movement and function.
Osteopathic practitioners also work with the musculoskeletal system, but their assessment tends to place particular emphasis on relationships between different areas of the body and how restrictions in one area may influence movement elsewhere. That doesn’t make one approach better than another. Often, it simply means there is more than one way to approach the same problem.
At a multidisciplinary clinic like Thrive, that can also be an advantage. When appropriate and with your consent, practitioners from different disciplines can work collaboratively rather than treating each concern in isolation.
What About Jaw Pain and TMJ/TMD?
Jaw discomfort is one area where osteopathic treatment may be particularly interesting for some patients. At Thrive Massage Therapy & Wellness in Burlington, osteopathic practitioner Barbara has additional training in TMD care, including intraoral techniques. This allows her to assess and treat structures associated with jaw movement both externally and, when appropriate and with consent, intraorally. This may be relevant for people experiencing jaw tension, restricted opening, discomfort with chewing or other TMD-related musculoskeletal concerns.
Do I Need a Referral?
In most cases, you can book an appointment with an osteopathic practitioner directly without a referral. If you plan to submit your treatment to an extended health benefits plan, however, it’s always a good idea to check your individual coverage requirements before your appointment.
Is Osteopathy Right for Me?
If you’re dealing with persistent stiffness, recurring aches and pains, restricted movement, or an issue that doesn’t seem to be resolving the way you expected, an osteopathic assessment may offer another perspective. You don’t need to figure out which muscle, joint or structure is responsible before you come in. Start with what you’re feeling, what movements are difficult, and what you’d like to be able to do more comfortably. Your practitioner can take it from there.
At Thrive Massage Therapy & Wellness, our osteopathic practitioners provide individualized, hands-on care for patients in Burlington and the surrounding community, with treatment based on your assessment, goals and individual needs.