6 Common Osteopathic Treatment Techniques Osteopaths Use In Practice

Are you curious as to what osteopathic treatment techniques osteopaths use?

If you are, you are in the right place.

Today, I am going to talk about six osteopathic treatment techniques osteopaths commonly use in practice.

What’s more, I will explain how they might help and how that might feel.

We will start with spinal manipulation, which is probably the most commonly used technique.

Let’s jump straight in.

1. Spinal Manipulation

The majority of osteopaths use spinal manipulation. Osteopathic spinal manipulation is the same as a chiropractic adjustment.

Osteopaths use this technique to manipulate different parts of the spine, including the neck, back and lower back.

Osteopaths may use spinal manipulation when treating neck, back and lower back pain.

Osteopaths apply spinal manipulation by using a gentle, quick movement to the vertebral joint.

The manipulation is painless and may induce a “popping sound” from the joint.

This popping sound is caused by a change in pressure in the joint.

Osteopaths also know how to manipulate other joints in the body.

2. Joint Manipulation

Most osteopaths use joint manipulation.

Osteopaths use this technique on joints in the ankles, elbows, knees and wrists.

Osteopaths may use this technique when treating joint issues resulting from some type of trauma, such as a fall or road traffic accident.

Osteopaths apply this technique by using a gentle, quick movement to the joint.

Joint manipulation is generally painless.

Another technique that osteopaths use on the joints is mobilization.

3. Joint Mobilization

Many osteopaths use joint mobilization.

Osteopaths use this technique on joints in the spine, shoulders, elbows, wrists and fingers, hips, knees and ankles and feet.

Joint mobilization is a useful technique in the treatment of arthritic joints.

Osteopaths apply this technique by gently moving the part of the body associated with the joint.

People may experience a feeling tightness in the joint during joint mobilization.

Osteopaths also use techniques on the muscles, including massage.

4. Massage

Some osteopaths use massage techniques.

Osteopaths use this technique on the muscles.

Massage is useful for reducing muscle spasm or tightness.

Osteopaths apply massage by using firm pressure on the muscles.

People may feel some discomfort from the muscles during massage.

Osteopaths also use techniques to work on organs or viscera.

5. Visceral Osteopathy

Some osteopaths use visceral osteopathy in their practice.

Osteopaths use Visceral osteopathy to work on the organs in your abdomen and pelvis.

This technique is useful for people with post-operative adhesions, pelvic floor or digestive issues.

Osteopaths apply visceral osteopathy by gently pushing and pulling on the organs.

Osteopaths also use a technique that works on the nervous system, Cranial Osteopathy.

6. Cranial Osteopathy

Many osteopaths use Cranial Osteopathy in their practice.

Osteopaths use this technique to work on the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.

Cranial Osteopathy is useful for newly born babies and people with concussions.

Osteopaths apply this technique through very gentle pressure on the skull and other parts of the body.

Did I Miss Anything?

There are many other techniques that osteopaths use in their practice.

Do you have a favourite one that I missed?

If you do, please leave a comment below.