Monday, November 24, 2008

Treatment of Neck Pain by Osteopaths

By Andrew Mitchell

Instead of looking at each symptom of an illness separately, osteopathic medicine is a kind of medicine that looks at your entire body to figure out the best method of treatment. Osteopathic medicine has become quite popular, especially for people who have problems with muscle and joint pain. A lot of people insist that when you suffer from neck pain, an osteopath is one of your best resources. It is understandable, however, that if you haven't ever visited an osteopath, that doing so might feel scary. Don't worry-you have nothing to be scared of. Here is what you can expect to experience when you visit an osteopath for neck pain treatment:

In the beginning, your osteopathic exam will probably feel a lot like a visit to a traditional doctor's office. You'll be asked for your complete medical history and be given a routine physical exam. Your osteopath might then need to do some extra tests in order to help figure out the exact reason for your neck pain. An X-Ray might be taken to help determine if your neck has any damaged vertebrae, but be prepared: your osteopath will probably examine the rest of your body too!

It is important to know that when you visit an osteopath for help with your neck pain, you should leave your "personal space" at home. Osteopathic treatment is hands on!

Your Osteopath might use any of the following methods to treat your neck pain:

Counterstrain technique: this technique involves moving you into a position that will help your body restore motion to any of your muscles that might have been strained or restrained.

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: this is where your osteopath will apply pressure to the muscle areas around the spine. It can also involve deep pressure, rhythmic stretching and, in some cases, traction.

Thrust technique: In the thrust technique your osteopath will reintroduce movement to your joints with high velocity force. This should help rid you of any asymmetry in your muscles, any movement that has been restricted and any tissue changes or muscle tenderness.

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!

There are some people who might confuse osteopathic medicine with chiropractic medicine. The two night sound alike, but they are actually very different. Chiropractic medicine focuses on your spine and joints. Osteopathic medicine focus on your whole body! - 14130

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