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Treatment of Neck Pain by Osteopaths
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by: AndrewMitchell
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Word Count: 489
Instead of looking at each symptom of an illness separately, osteopathic medicine is a kind of medicine that looks at your entire body to figure out the best method of treatment. Osteopathic medicine has become quite popular, especially for people who have problems with muscle and joint pain. A lot of people insist that when you suffer from neck pain, an osteopath is one of your best resources. It is understandable, however, that if you haven't ever visited an osteopath, that doing so might feel scary. Don't worry-you have nothing to be scared of. Here is what you can expect to experience when you visit an osteopath for neck pain treatment:
The first part of your visit will be an exam that feels more like a visit to a "traditional" doctor. You'll most likely give your complete medical history and also receive a physical examination. In many cases, your osteopath might order extra tests to help narrow down exactly why your neck is in pain. You might have an X-Ray taken to see if there is any physical damage to the vertebrae in your neck, but don't be surprised if your osteopath pays attention to other parts of your body as well!
You should know that your visit to an osteopath will involve quite a bit of touching. Osteopathic medicine is "hands on" medicine.
The osteopath you visit can use any or all of the following methods to treat your neck pain:
Counterstrain technique: this technique involves moving you into a position that will help your body restore motion to any of your muscles that might have been strained or restrained.
Muscle Energy technique: Your osteopath gives you exercises that will start with your muscles in precise positions and follow with you moving those muscles in precise movements.
Soft Tissue technique: this is where your osteopath will apply pressure to the muscle areas around the spine. It can also involve deep pressure, rhythmic stretching and, in some cases, traction.
Thrust technique: In the thrust technique your osteopath will reintroduce movement to your joints with high velocity force. This should help rid you of any asymmetry in your muscles, any movement that has been restricted and any tissue changes or muscle tenderness.
In some cases, osteopaths will also use low level lasers or acupuncture to treat their patients.
An osteopathic visit might sound scary, but there is no reason to be frightened. Most people who visit an osteopath don't experience any pain. Most of the time osteopathic visits have been reported to be pleasant and relaxing!
A number of people often confuse osteopaths with chiropractors, but it is important to understand that the two professionals, while seemingly similar, are actually quite different! A chiropractor is a professional who wants to treat your spine and joints. Osteopaths want to work with you and help treat your entire body.
About the Author
Andrew Mitchell, editor of Osteopath Network, writes articles on, spinal pain, neck pain and soft tissue injuries. If you are looking for an Oxford osteopath or for osteopaths elsewhere in the UK please visit the osteopath website.
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