What is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)?
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, also known as OMT, is a system of evaluation and treatment designed to promote and maintain health by restoring normal function to the body.
It is performed by a specially trained doctor who uses his or her hands to diagnose injury and illness in the body. The doctor then uses gentle pressure applied to specific parts of the body to put bones, muscles, and tissues back into place.
What conditions can OMT help treat?
OMT can be used to help treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Muscle and joint pain
- Headaches
- Breastfeeding problems (poor suck/latch)
- Torticollis
- Plagiocephaly (flat spots on baby’s head)
- Sinus congestion
- TMJ problems
- Recurring ear infections
- Asthma
- Constipation
- Menstrual cramps and more
What are the benefits of OMT?
OMT assists the body’s innate ability to heal itself. It is safe, natural and has very few side effects. OMT can improve blood flow, lymphatic flow and improve transmission of signals to and from the nervous system. It can be very effective in treating pain, and it can help restore structure and function to the child’s body following birth, injury, or illness.
What happens during OMT?
During OMT, your doctor will use their hands to diagnose structural changes within the body. Your doctor will then use gentle pressure to restore proper structure to the body to improve function.
What to expect after my child receives OMT?
It is normal to have some soreness after treatment. It is also normal to feel sleepy after treatment. For a child over 1 year of age, we recommend that caregivers offer extra water to their child after treatment.
Doctors who perform and teach OMT in Primary & Complex Care include:
Joanna Kramer, DO, MPH and Vivian Mai, DO are physicians who perform OMT services.
Please contact our General Pediatrics team at 602-933-0945 if you have questions.