What Is OMT?

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is the practice of finding restrictions in the body and fixing them. This act typically involves a D.O. using their hands to help guide the body to mechanically unwind itself and reset to a free-flowing balance point.

When areas of restriction are removed, benefits abound:

Pain is relieved.
At the cellular level:
- Oxygen and nutrients more easily enter the previously restricted area, promoting healing.
- Normal cellular toxin build-up more easily exits or gets broken down in the previously restricted area.
The physical sensation of a balanced body and relieved pain has a positive effect on mental health.

What's It Like to Be Treated by Dr. Davis?

OMT is both an art and a science. While every D.O. has a slightly different approach, Dr. Davis uses gentle, precise techniques that avoid significant bone cracking based on the body unwinding itself. This means her approach is appropriate for all ages.

Over the course of a standard hour or half-hour treatment:

Dr. Davis will spend time listening to your story and understanding your health goals. In some cases, Dr. Davis may recommend medical imaging and tests.
If you are experiencing acute or chronic pain deemed appropriate for treatment with OMT, she will pinpoint the area(s) of restriction by testing how your musculoskeletal system responds when moving.
The biggest lesion in the body is treated first:
- Dr. Davis will isolate the strained area.
- She will guide your body to move “where it wants to go,” which unwinds the strain pattern.
As she helps unwind the strain pattern, Dr. Davis will explain the technique and identified restriction occurring in your body.
- For example, the body’s nervous system may “remember” an injury you had months ago and is still overly tense from it, causing ongoing pain down your neck and back.
Your body may not feel immediately and drastically healed, but typical signs that a strain pattern is unwinding include:
- It’s easier to breathe / you’re breathing more deeply without effort.
- The pain may already be reduced by a certain degree.
- There’s an increased sense of peace in you.
- Your body may tingle slightly.
Other areas of restriction may be addressed.
- It is common for the body to accept a certain stress point and lay down a layer of tension on top of other layers. Humans are like onions in this way. Once a layer of restriction is removed, other restrictions beneath it are more easily identified.
Dr. Davis reviews the treatment with you and maps out a treatment plan that supports your body more permanently unlearning and healing from trauma. Dr. Davis may send along certain stretches or other information beneficial to support healing.

While OMT offers conservative treatment options for pain, medical imaging, tests, medicine, or surgery may be necessary to support authentic health. OMT does not cure chronic illness, but a D.O.’s holistic approach to your health and care for you as a whole person can help you physically and mentally to better manage a condition.