What Is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a very unique philosophy of healing and medical care that treats the bones, muscles and joints through manipulation and massage. Many osteopathic physicians (Doctor of Osteopathy or DOs) have family practices that treat patients solely with manipulation and massage. Others work in hospital trauma units such as New York City’s St. Barnabus Hospital or as specialists or surgeons.
Many osteopathic physicians practice Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT), which is a unique hands-on technique that can alter the body’s structure and enhance the body’s innate ability to heal itself so it may function more efficiently.
OMT is also a very effective structural addition to add to any child’s treatment protocol which already includes dietary modification, nutritional supplementation and detoxification therapies.
Often times, many children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, developmental delays and learning disabilities have injury resulting from the birthing process to the back of the skull where the first cervical vertebrae attach to the base of the skull, causing the neck to jam up against the skull base or occiput.
The injury causes cranial compression and decreased blood flow in the brain, which ultimately affects the nervous system and brain functioning. OMT can help increase the blood flow to the brain which in turn can help calm down the nervous system and increase brain functioning.
Some parents of non-speaking children such as those with autism or those with speech and language delays report that their children’s ability to speak improved tremendously after osteopathic manipulation.
Osteopathic manipulation is also very effective in draining fluid in the ears with chronic ear infections.
Benefits of Osteopathy
Osteopathy can be very effective in making changes over a period of time. The following improvements after osteopathy have all been reported by parents:
- Focus
- Concentration
- Social interaction
- Verbal communication
- Less repetitive behaviors
- Stopping seizures
- Stopping head banging
- Engaging in imaginative play
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