How Osteopaths Treat Neck Pain
Posted on July 16, 2009
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Osteopathic medicine is a kind of medicinal practice in which the entire body is taken into consideration instead of looking at symptoms separately. This type of medicine is very “in” right now, especially for those who suffer from pain in their muscles and joints. A lot of people believe that an osteopath is your best option when you suffer from neck pain. Obviously, if this is your first visit to an osteopath, you are probably nervous, but you can relax. Here is what you can expect to experience when you treat neck pain with an osteopath:
The first part of your visit will be an exam that feels more like a visit to a “traditional” doctor. You’ll most likely give your complete medical history and also receive a physical examination. In many cases, your osteopath might order extra tests to help narrow down exactly why your neck is in pain. You might have an X-Ray taken to see if there is any physical damage to the vertebrae in your neck, but don’t be surprised if your osteopath pays attention to other parts of your body as well!
You should know that your visit to an osteopath will involve quite a bit of touching. Osteopathic medicine is “hands on” medicine.
You can expect to be treated in any of the following ways when you ask an osteopath to treat 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: Your osteopath gives you exercises that will start with your muscles in precise positions and follow with you moving those muscles in precise movements.
Soft Tissue technique: Pressure is applied to the muscles around your spine by your osteopath. This technique might involve deep pressure, traction or rhythmic stretching.
Thrust technique: Your osteopath will use a high velocity force to reintroduce movement to your joints and muscles. Thrust is used to correct any asymmetry in your muscles. This method should also take care of any restricted movements, tissue changes or muscle tenderness you might have been experiencing.
If your osteopath deems it necessary, your neck pain might be treated with a low level laser or even acupuncture!
This all probably sounds frightening, but you shouldn’t worry. Very few people experience pain when they seek help from an osteopath for their neck pain. Most people who choose to employ an osteopath say that the treatments are quite pleasant and relaxing!
Some people confuse osteopaths and chiropractors and while the two professionals seem similar, they are very different. Chiropractors treat your joints and spine. Osteopaths, on the other hand, work to treat your entire body.
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