Friday, February 19, 2010

Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a safe and holistic way to evaluate and treat a multitude of ailments, including headaches, colic, reflux, recurrent ear infections, swallowing difficulties, strabismus (lazy eye), neck pain, back pain, sciatica, joint pain, coordination difficulties, low or increased muscle tone, hyperactivity, anxiety, and autism, just to name a few.  Because osteopaths are also physicians, they may safely integrate these treatments with other therapies and recommendations (such as dietary and lifestyle changes) as necessary.
 
One of the main principles of osteopathy is that function is directly related to the "living anatomy" of the body, which includes the flow of fluids, motion of tissues, and mobility of joints and bones. The osteopath is highly trained to assess these subtle rhythms. Restrictions or strains on any part of the body can place pressure on nerves or cause alterations in blood flow or a myriad of problems. By applying a very precise amount of pressure, the osteopath can treat imbalances, gently encouraging the body to return to a healthier state. This type of treatment is called osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM).

There are various types of osteopathic manipulation. One of the most in-depth and gentle manipulations, cranial osteopathy, focuses on treating the subtle  rhythms of the head (cranium) and tailbone (sacrum). Disruptions to these rhythms can cause fluid retention (such as in ear infections and sinusitis), or alterations in blood flow (such as in migraine headaches), or irritation on nerves (such as vagal irritation in reflux). Restoring the natural flow of fluids and rhythms in the body can improve symptoms and even restore function completely. It is important to note that cranial osteopathy is not “cranial sacral,” since osteopaths are physicians whose training integrates their professional medical background with fine-tuned palpatory skills and in-depth understanding of anatomy, including the intricacies of the nerves, brain, bones, vasculature, and connective dura and fascia layers.  To find a cranial osteopath, please see http://www.cranialacademy.org/

Best in Health,
Arlene Dijamco, MD FAAP
 

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