Benefits of Manual Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy utilizes manual therapy to increase wellness throughout the body. It is a gentle, natural, drug-free modality that manipulates the visceral, musculoskeletal, lymphatic, spinal and cranial regions to help stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself.

Thus, a manual osteopath will apply gentle pressure, tension, stretching and light touch as needed to help improve the body’s flexibility, immunity, circulation, respiratory, lymphatic and positional potentials to reduce pain, inflammation and other difficulties.

While osteopathic treatments often focus on the joints, muscles, and spine, they are also applicable in the digestive, visceral and other regions.

Manual osteopathy typically uses hands-on therapy, but there are a number of additional tools an osteopath may employ, such as aquatic therapy, exercises, orthotics, bracing, taping and other systems to bring about the body’s ability to heal.

The manual osteopath may also provide advice for improving fitness, diet and work-related physical activities.

Here are a bunch of proven benefits of manual osteopathy:

Helps Relieve Pain – Chronic and Acute

Manual osteopathic treatment has been shown to increase the production of Beta Endorphin, which is a natural pain relief hormone produced by the body. This in turn decreases pain. A number of studies have shown this. (See references below).

Surveys and studies have shown that osteopathic treatment is one of the best strategies for low back pain relief compared to many other therapists. This is primarily due to its effectiveness in decreasing acute pain. Multiple studies are referenced below

For example, a 2017 study of 80 heart surgery patients found that osteopathic manual therapy decreased pain and less hospitalization following sternotomy surgery compared to those not receiving osteopathy.

Manual osteopathy has also been shown to be successful in decreasing chronic pain.

In a 2020 study of 44 patients with patellofemoral pain, osteopathy significantly reduced chronic pain and increased balance among the patients.

In a 2018 study of patients with chronic neck pain and lack of mobility along with dyspepsia, osteopathic visceral manipulation was found to significantly decrease pain among the patients.

Decreases Arthritis Pain

Several studies have shown that osteopathic manual treatment can significantly reduce pain and increase function in arthritis patients.

For example, a 2018 study showed that osteopathy decreased pain and increased function in a study of 100 knee osteoarthritis patients.

Helps Low Back Pain

A number of studies have shown that osteopathy significantly reduces low back pain.

In a 2013 study, 144 mothers in their third trimester were treated with osteopathy. The study found those who received osteopathy were significantly less likely to have low back pain symptoms compared to the controls.

In a 2012 study, researchers found that patients treated with osteopathy showed an average improvement of 20% in mobility.

Many other studies show osteopathy can significantly improve low back pain. Reviews of research have confirmed this.

Boosts Circulation

Osteopathy can result in the improvement of the circulation of lymph and blood. This improves nourishment, growth and recovery for the cells and muscles, and helps the body cleanse toxins. This is especially important during the winter months when circulation and metabolism can be slower.

In a 2021 study, researchers tested patients with heart failure, and found that just one osteopathic treatment significantly increased brachial blood flow and stimulated the vagal system.

Helps Reduce Inflammation

Several studies have shown that osteopathic manual therapy can significantly reduce inflammation in various injuries and ailments.

Helps promote deeper breathing

Osteopathy helps the body enhance oxygen intake. This helps nourish the cells, decreasing muscle aches and tension, and promotes the release of toxins.

Studies have also shown that osteopathy can help patients with COPD. Other research has shown it can help hospitalized patients with pneumonia.

In a 2014 study, patients reported improved breathing during the study period.

Helps Improve Posture

Osteopathy can strengthen the spine and muscles around the spine and abdomen to improve their flexibility and suppleness. Improved posture also helps reduce tension and improve breathing.

One study, for example, found that osteopathic manual treatment helped Parkinson’s patients improve their posture control.

Another study from 2020, also showed that osteopathy improved postural control, and a 2018 study showed it increases motor cortical plasticity.

Helps Improve Infant Health

A 2013 study showed that osteopathic manual treatment reduced length of stays for preterm babies.

Research has also shown that osteopathy can significantly increase milk flow in mothers, and satisfaction among babies who are breast feeding.

A 2008 study showed that osteopathy reduced apnea among infants.

Improves skin health

Boosting circulation through soft tissue therapy, increasing circulation and reducing inflammation can improve the health and tone of the skin.

Improves Joint Mobility

Manual osteopathy improves joint flexibility and helps relieve stored tension. This will in turn increase joint recovery.

Helps Calm the Body and Mind

The gentle therapeutic touch of Osteopathy encourages a calm mind. This helps creates creativity and helps reduce stress in the body and mind. In this way Osteopathy helps reduce anxiety. Often, anxiety is stored in low back, shoulders, neck and abdomen tension.

For example, a 2017 study of healthy men found that just one osteopathic treatment significantly reduced cortisol response, improved heart rate recovery and dampened the stress response in general compared to the control group.

A 2024 review of research analyzed 40 studies, and found that osteopathy significantly reduced anxiety intensity.

Increases Body Awareness

Osteopathy can also help increase the person’s relationship with their body. Understanding where their pains and stresses are more prevalent helps the person adapt and accommodate the body. By re-establishing these connections with our body, we can experience greater ease of movement, a more centered feeling, and an enhanced feeling of well-being.

Increases Relaxation

Osteopathy increases relaxation and a state of heightened mental alertness.

Helps Digestive Disorders

Several studies have shown that manual visceral osteopathy can significantly improve symptoms of GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).

For example, a 2019 study of 60 patients suffering from GERD showed that manual osteopathic manipulation significantly reduced pain and decreased symptoms of GERD among the patients.

Other studies have shown that visceral osteopathy can help inflammatory digestive issues.

In a 2018 study for example, researchers found that patients with Crohn’s disease had significantly increased quality of life scores compared with the control group.

In a 2012 study, researchers tested irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients and found that osteopathy significantly reduced IBS severity.

Reduces Headaches

A number of studies have shown that osteopathy can reduce frequency and intensity of headaches.

For example, a 2015 study from Italy of 105 migraine sufferers found that osteopathic treatment significantly reduced headache intensity and number of migraines.

Provides Therapeutic Touch

Humans benefit greatly by feeling the touch of another human being. Manual osteopathy provides therapeutic touch with each session.

Helps Prevent Falls

A leading cause of death among seniors is the fracture of the femur bone due to a fall. Because osteoporosis can weaken bones, a fall can break the femur, which can cut through the femoral artery.

Osteopathic muscle energy techniques (MET) have been found to improve range of motion and increase muscle strength. These improve balance and decrease the chance of falling in seniors.

For example, a 2017 study found that osteopathic therapy improved proprioceptive balance and quality of life among patients suffering from dizziness.

Boosts Athletic Performance

Regular and pulsed Osteopathic Muscle Energy Technique has been shown to increase athletic performance by improving function, balance, muscle tone and flexibility.

Decreases Muscle Tension and Spasm

Osteopathic manual therapy has been shown to interrupt the pain/spasm cycle. MET and mobilization techniques are known

to decrease muscle spasm and tension by affecting a number of nervous pathways.

STUDIES ON MANUAL OSTEOPATHY

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