OSTEOPATHIC MANIPULATIVE TREATMENT (OMT) TECHNIQUES:
Ligamentous Articular Strain (LAS)These techniques were devised
by the founder of cranial osteopathy and are similar to cranial
techniques except that they are applied to ligaments attached to
the joints of the body. They may also be known as balanced
ligamentous techniques.
Strain Counter Strain (SCS)Also known as strain/counterstrain,
this is an extremely gentle technique in which tender points are
found in muscles, ligaments, or tendons and the involved muscle is
shortened by specific positioning of the body part. The position
relieves the tenderness and is held for about 90 seconds; the body
part is then returned to a resting position. Since this is all done
passively and the motion is always into a direction of ease of
motion, the technique is passive and indirect. Motion is also
restored to joints that the involved muscle may have been
restricting.
Facilitated Positional Release (FPR)This is a passive, indirect
technique that is also a positional type of technique. The area of
the spine to be treated is placed into a loose-packed position;
that is, the facet joints are not engaged. A facilitating force,
either compression or torsion, is added and then the joint or
muscle is placed into its ease-of-motion or shortening position.
This is held about 5 seconds, and then the part is returned to a
resting position and the dysfunction reevaluated. These techniques
may be used to treat soft tissue tension or specific joint somatic
dysfunction.
Myofascial Release (MFR)Myofascial techniques are directed
toward the soft tissues of the body, particularly the muscles. They
may either be passive or active. The active techniques are
classified as direct, meaning that they treat the muscle that is
having the problem, or indirect, meaning that the antagonist muscle
to the problem muscle contracts. The passive myofascial techniques
usually involve a gentle stretching of the involved muscle and/or
fascia to cause a relaxation or release of tension. The active use
of the physiologic muscle reflexes such as reciprocal inhibition
cause the muscles to relax as a result of guided patient muscle
contraction.
Active Release Technique (ART)A technique is classified as
active if the patient is guided by the practitioner to assist in
the treatment process. This may be done by an active, voluntary
muscle contraction by the patient as directed by the physician. It
may involve the use of a respiratory effort by the patient under
the guidance of the physician.
Visceral Manipulation (VIS)Visceral techniques are directed
toward the viscera specifically. They are used to improve position,
circulation, and motion of the viscera. They may be used in a
variety of visceral problems, and are especially effective in
treating problems of the gastrointestinal tract and pelvic
organs.
Muscle Energy (ME)Muscle energy is an active, direct technique.
The involved joint is placed into its restriction of motion. The
patient is directed to gently push in the opposite direction, the
direction of freedom of motion, for about 3 to 5 seconds and then
to relax the contracted muscle. After 3 to 5 seconds of relaxation,
the physician moves the joint past the old barrier to the new
barrier and the process is repeated. This is done a total of three
times; then the physician adds a passive stretch. This technique
will restore joint motion to its physiologic limits.
Osteopathy in the Cranial Field (OCF)Cranial osteopathy is
directed toward improving and normalizing cranial bone motion and
balancing the tension membranes of the central nervous system. This
is an extremely gentle technique in which the physician monitors
the cranial rhythmic impulse, an inherent motion within the
cranium, and seeks to free restrictions of the cranial bones at
their sutures and balance the tension membranes. This may be done
in a direct or indirect manner.
High Velocity Low Amplitute (HVLA)
