Osteopathic Treatment of Neck Pain
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:
The first part of your visit will be an exam that feels more like a
visit to a "traditional" doctor. You'll most likely give your complete
medical history and also receive a physical examination. In many cases,
your osteopath might order extra tests to help narrow down exactly why
your neck is in pain. You might have an X-Ray taken to see if there is
any physical damage to the vertebrae in your neck, but don't be
surprised if your osteopath pays attention to other parts of your body
as well!
It is important to know that your appointment will involve a lot of
physical contact between you and your osteopath. Osteopathic treatment
is very "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: In this technique, your osteopath will
prescribe specific exercises. These exercises will start you in
specific poses and move your muscles in specific ways.
Soft Tissue technique: this technique involves your osteopath putting
pressure on the muscles that are near and around your spine. Sometimes
the pressure is deep, other times it involves traction or rhythmic
stretching.
Thrust technique: Your osteopath will use a high velocity force to
reintroduce movement to your joints and muscles. Thrust is used to
correct any asymmetry in your muscles. This method should also take
care of any restricted movements, tissue changes or muscle tenderness
you might have been experiencing.
Your osteopath might also use a low level laser or acupuncture
techniques to help treat your neck pain.
This might sound very scary but don't worry-most people don't
experience any pain when they visit their osteopath for neck pain
treatment. In fact, most people who visit osteopaths find their
treatments to be relaxing and pleasant!
A number of people often confuse osteopaths with chiropractors, but it
is important to understand that the two professionals, while seemingly
similar, are actually quite
Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/
alternative-treatment-for-neck-pain-osteopathy-632968.html About the Author
Andrew Mitchell, editor of Osteopath Network,
writes articles about
osteopathy,
back pain, neck pain and soft tissue injuries. If you are looking for aLondon
osteopath or for an osteopath in the UK please visit his
website. |
