What is an Osteopathic Manual Therapist?

When all else failed, including western medicine and an $11,000 ER visit, as well as acupuncture, chiropractic and other modalities, Joe has helped me turn things around. Joe has a confident, yet gentle touch. The work may seem subtle but it has profoundly positive effects. Joe also gave me effective ideas to incorporate into my daily routine. He clearly wants you to be able to take control of and manage your own well being. Prices are very reasonable and the office environment is calm and soothing. I highly recommend Joe’s work without hesitation.

Marti

Albany

With a background in either western/conventional/allopathic medicine (i.e. medical doctor, registered nurse, physical therapist etc), eastern medicine (i.e. acupuncture, ayurveda) or body work (massage therapists, rolfers, athletic therapists etc), an osteopathic therapist or practitioner is a professional who receives post-graduate training in osteopathic manual therapy.  Schooling of traditional osteopathic colleges is usually 2-4 years.  Osteopathic therapists use many techniques such as muscle energy, counter strain, myofascial release, cranial manipulation, visceral manipulation, neural manipulation, etc. In the US, osteopaths are licensed as conventional doctors.  Non-physician osteopathic therapists we belong to are popular in many European countries, Canada, Australia, and some Asian countries.

Are you like a Chiropractor?

Chiropractic care and osteopathic care are very similar in a few ways and very different in many ways.  We believe chiropractors used only thrusting techniques (high velocity & low amplitude tech) when they diverted from early osteopathic history.  Chiropractors and osteopathic practitioners agree that structure governs function.  Chiropractors tend to be concerned more with the position of structures (mostly the spine) and Osteopathic practitioners are more concerned with the mobility and vitality of a structure (not just in the spine, but every structure of the body – bones, connective tissue, muscles, organs, and brain). Generally speaking, chiropractic care is focused on adjustments of the spine.  Where osteopathic manipulation does involve some adjustments of the spine – it is rare.  However, the majority of hands-on gentle manipulation is throughout the entire body using a variety of techniques written above.

I’ve been seeing Mari for lower back pain for nearly a year now after a terrible experience with a chiropractor who only made the pain worse. Mari uses osteopathy and cranio-sacral techniques which are much gentler and makes the body more receptive to the interventions. She is very intuitive and can swiftly detect where the basic root causes of the pain reside, and work from there. I feel like every minute is well spent and leave feeling like an adjustment has been made to enhance my alignment. I highly recommend Mari to anyone who has lower back pain.
Amy

San Francisco

What exactly do you do?

We take a global view of the body through observation and palpation.  Our hands-on evaluation allows detection of abnormalities in the structure of the human body and we start to care for the most significant with techniques of osteopathy and craniosacral therapy to fit each needs.  We educate clients giving advice for their diet, posture, and exercise instruction to fit their life style.

Find out more

If you’d like more information on Manual Osteopathy and CranioSacral Therapy, you can find more details on the pages linked below: