Osteopathic manipulation may seem like an intimidating term, but it’s actually much simpler than it sounds: It just means the use of hands-on care to diagnose, treat, and prevent injuries. It is an important concept to know about if you want to have an active and healthy lifestyle at any age, which is what the orthopedic doctors at IMUA Orthopedics, Sports & Health in Honolulu want for all their patients. 

Here, they’ll explain what osteopathic manipulation is and who can benefit from it:

• Low-Force Pressure: During an osteopathic manipulation treatment, the patient sits or lies down while the osteopathic physician uses very gentle pressure with their hands in a certain direction. The pressure is either placed directly on the source of pain or on the area around it. The goal is to relax the muscle tissue.
• Long-Lasting Effects: Osteopathic manipulation has been found to have effects that are comparable to standard medical care. While there still needs to be more extensive research on whether the effects of osteopathic manipulation are longer lasting than conventional medicine, it is much more cost effective and can be seen as a legitimate supplement to, if not yet a full substitution for, traditional osteopathic care.
• Pain Relief: Osteopathic manipulation is particularly helpful for people who have pain in their spine, lower back, or in the extremities of their bodies. However, studies and trials have also shown this type of treatment to have beneficial results for those who have Parkinson’s disease and asthma. By realigning joints and restoring the flow of bodily fluids, osteopathic manipulation is a viable method of pain relief and injury treatment.

For more information on osteopathic manipulation as well as tips on living a generally healthy life at every age, contact IMUA Orthopedics, Sports & Health at (808) 521-8170 or visit them online.