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import Article from "@/components/Article";
import { Metadata } from "next";
export const metadata: Metadata = {
title: "Article - Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment | Dr. Feely",
authors: [{ name: "Richard A. Feely, D.O., FAAO, FCA, FAAMA" }],
description: `In an era marked by medical advances, from state-of-the-art
surgery to the newest prescription medication, what unique tool will
osteopathic physicians use? Their hands.`,
};
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const ArticleOsteopathicManipulativeTreatment = () => {
return (
<Article
title="Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment"
author="Richard A. Feely, D.O., FAAO, FCA, FAAMA"
>
<p>
In an era marked by medical advances, from state-of-the-art surgery to
the newest prescription medication, what unique tool will osteopathic
physicians use? Their hands.
</p>
<p>
Osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) provide you with all the best that
medicine has to offer. They can specialize in any recognized area of
medicine, from pediatrics to neurosurgery. However, their knowledge and
use of the latest medical technology is complemented by their
application of a hands-on treatment tool known as osteopathic
manipulative treatment, or OMT.
</p>
<p>
Using OMT, D.O.s bring an added dimension to healthcare, in the form of
a non-invasive treatment. D.O.s use OMT to diagnose, treat and even
prevent illness or injury. When appropriate it can be used in
conjunction with, or in place of, medication or surgery.
</p>
<h2>Unique Philosophy</h2>
<p>
D.O.s are widely recognized for their incorporation of manipulative
medicine into their spectrum of care. OMT is just one element of the
unique philosophy of osteopathic medicine.
</p>
<h2>The Big Picture</h2>
<p>
By taking the whole person approach to care, D.O.s don't just focus on
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the disease or injury. They look for the underlying causes of disease
instead of simply treating the symptoms. Not only do they consider your
physical condition, but also they take other factors into account like
home, work and family life when making a diagnosis.
</p>
<p>Patient, Heal Thyself</p>
<p>
D.O.s recognize that the body is inherently capable of healing itself,
though it must constantly fight physical, emotional and nutritional
stressors to maintain a state of wellness. D.O.s believe in educating
you about good health and prevention of disease.
</p>
<h2>The Musculoskeletal System</h2>
<p>
D.O.s place particular emphasis on the musculoskeletal system, which
comprises two-thirds of the body's mass. D.O.s believe that all of the
body's systems, including the musculoskeletal system, work together and
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that disturbances in one system may impact function elsewhere in the
body. This understanding of body structure and function provides the
foundation for the osteopathic approach to medicine.
</p>
<h2>The ABC's of OMT and How It Can Work for You</h2>
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<p>
OMT is predicated upon your D.O.'s knowledge of medicine. Once your D.O.
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has ruled out mechanical causes for your illness or injury (through
blood and urine testing, X-rays, etc.), and based upon physical and
mechanical findings, your D.O. may decide to utilize OMT. While it is
commonly associated with physical ailments such as low back pain, this
modality can also be used to relieve the discomfort or musculoskeletal
abnormality associated with a number of disorders, including: asthma,
sinus disorder, carpal tunnel, migraines and menstrual pain.
</p>
<p>
The osteopathic approach to treating many diseases includes medication
and/or surgical intervention, plus OMT. OMT can relieve muscle pain
associated with a disease and can hasten your recovery from illness by
promoting blood flow through tissues.
</p>
<h2>Diagnosis</h2>
<p>
Your structural exam will begin with an assessment of your posture,
spine and balance. Your D.O. will then use his fingers to palpate your
back and extremities. Your D.O. will then use his fingers to palpate
your back and extremities. He will also check your joints for
restriction and/or pain during motion as well as check your muscles,
tendons and ligaments where tenderness can signal a problem. Through
extensive osteopathic training in manipulative medicine, D.O.s can
detect changes in tissue, however small, that signal injury or
impairment.
</p>
<p>
Once the structural exam is complete, your D.O. will integrate this
information with your medical history and a complete physical exam.
After that point, a treatment plan can be established.
</p>
<h2>Treatment</h2>
<p>
Using a variety of OMT techniques, your D.O. will apply manual forces to
your body's affected areas to treat structural abnormalities and will
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then apply specific corrective forces to relieve joint restrictions and
misalignments. Based upon the severity of your problem, you may require
more than one treatment.
</p>
<h2>Case 1</h2>
<p>
Mary visited her D.O. complaining of a sharp pain in her side. The
physician asked a series of questions about her pain: its intensity,
onset and duration. They also discussed her medical history. The
physician then ordered a series of tests to determine whether the pain
was caused by disease (i.e. gallbladder or appendix). Tests revealed
that it was not. Since the patient indicated that she worked in an
office with a surround style desk, the D.O. considered that Mary might
be suffering from postural/mechanical strain. Based upon his
examination, interview with the patient and negative test results, the
physician decided to employ OMT to relieve motion restrictions and
muscle strain caused by improper sitting and movement. He also
recommended changes in the set-up of her workstation to alleviate
further pain.
</p>
<h2>Case 2</h2>
<p>
Michael's symptoms included cough, congestion, fever and headache.
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Suspecting chronic sinusitis, his D.O. conducted an exam and ordered
appropriate tests. When results confirmed the diagnosis, the physician
prescribed an antibiotic to treat the infection. She also employed a
variety of OMT techniques to promote sinus drainage and relieve pain
related to the infection. Michael's congestion was markedly reduced
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after just one OMT session. Upon completion of his antibiotic therapy
two weeks later, his infection was eliminated.
</p>
<h2>Who Can Benefit</h2>
<p>
People of all ages and backgrounds have found relief from pain and
dysfunction as well as improved mobility through OMT. D.O.s incorporate
this modality into their treatment plans for top athletes and
performance artists, workers with on-the-job injuries and thousands of
people, just like you.
</p>
<h2>Proof Positive</h2>
<p>
A study published in the November 4, 1999 issue of the New England
Journal of Medicine confirms what D.O.s have known for years' that OMT
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works. In this case, researchers examined the effectiveness of OMT for
treating low back pain.
</p>
<p>
Patients were divided into two groups' one treated with standard options
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like hot/cold packs, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication
while the other group received OMT and standard care. After a
twelve-week period, patients in both groups showed improvement. However,
researchers learned that the patients receiving OMT required less
medication and physical therapy, resulting in less side effects and
lower health care costs.
</p>
<p>
Another study released on OMT revealed its effectiveness in reducing
pain after a hysterectomy. Researchers measured the amount of morphine
to treat patients' pain as well as their perception of their pain
levels. Upon the study's completion, it was determined that
administering OMT significantly reduced patients' needs for pain
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medication.
</p>
<p>
By incorporating OMT into their practice of complete medicine, D.O.s are
providing the most comprehensive care available today.
</p>
<h2>History</h2>
<p>
The earliest medical writings from centuries past describe the efficacy
of manual medicine. In 1874, osteopathic medicine's founder, Dr. A.T.
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Still, recognized the power of hands-on care and incorporated it into
his philosophy of medicine. Dr. Still identified the musculoskeletal
system as a key element of health; he recognized the body's self-healing
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capacity; he emphasized prevention, exercise and keeping fit; and he
identified palpation and human touch as vital and less intrusive
elements of diagnosis and treatment. As the impressive growth of
osteopathic medicine demonstrates, Dr. Still's founding tenets have
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withstood the test of time and scientific scrutiny.
</p>
<h2>Education</h2>
<p>
D.O.s complete four years of medical training at one of the nation's
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fully accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine. The osteopathic
curriculum is intensive and broad-based. It includes comprehensive
training in the musculoskeletal system and the use of OMT. Manipulation
combined with the osteopathic principles of holistic care, prevention
and primary care makes osteopathic medicine unique.
</p>
<p>
Upon graduation from medical school, D.O.s complete a one-year rotating
internship through all the areas of primary care. Afterwards, they may
complete a residency in any of more than 120 specialty and subspecialty
areas of medicine. However, sixty-four percent of all D.O.s remain in
primary care practices.
</p>
</Article>
);
};
export default ArticleOsteopathicManipulativeTreatment;