Your experience with Osteopathic Medicine? My first time...

[Dover]

I recently had my first experience with an osteopathic doctor. I had a painful 'kink' and pain in my upper back and neck which just would not let go or go away even with stretches and massage. So I was thumbing through the yellow pages and saw a listing for an osteopath. I wasn't really sure what that meant but for some reason was drawn to it and made an appointment. I guess I thought I might get an adjustment (similar to a chiropractor), but perhaps with a more holistic approach.

I'm open to 'energetic and holistic medicine' in general having had excellent experiences with acupuncture, body therapies, etc. So this was not some big stretch for me to try it. I had my treatment a few days ago and am still assessing the results. But I can tell you that I am, for the most part, pain free right now and hoping it will continue. I'm trying to decide if I want to continue with a few more sessions to get the full effect of what this osteopath can offer. I know from experience with acupuncture that some ailments take longer to correct than others, so it's not always instantaneous.

This doctor was very gentle and found some intensely painful places that didn't seem immediately related to my initial area of pain, but were instead related to an old injury to my arm. It became very clear that there was still some healing left to work on relative to that injury. Ouch! I'm not that clear about this doctor's process but it felt very intuitive and accurate, and was gently manipulative of some areas particularly in my neck.

Holistic treatments, by their nature, are not easily defined which, I know, is hard for some to accept, but is why they are as much an art as a science


Anyway, I'm now very curious about other people's experiences. I know that much depends on the doctor and the set of skills and experience he/she brings to it, which can vary quite a bit.

What I'm NOT interested in is hearing people's opinions who have NOT tried this.

[MineralMan]

1. You already have one thread asking this question.

Not liking the answers you got there is not cause to start a new thread.

Orthopathy is a thoroughly discredited theory. The person who treated you is not a physician. You can go to him/her if you wish, but it's just woo. "Natural Hygiene," of which this is an offshoot, is also woo. Orthopathy was originated in 1820, discredited not too long after that, and is now "rediscovered," much like homeopathy. It's bogus, quackery, and will simply sap your funds.

You'll get the same answer, no matter how many times you post this. I gave you some links in your other thread. Have you read them?

[DesertFlower]

2. well i haven't had orthopathy, but

i had a rolfer for years who helped me -- especially with my scoliosis. there seems to be a similarity in how they work.

[Dover]

12. I never tried rolfing, but those who have told me it involves very deep

and often painful massage/adjustments. What I experienced was very gentle,
but he would find areas that were raging hot and would do something more
akin energetic touch, which would focus on that point for a period of time (several minutes).

[DesertFlower]

15. my first rolfing experience was painful, but

the rolfer i've been going to for almost 20 years is very gentle.

i would not rule out seeing an orthopath. i've been using alternative doctors and methods since the early 80s.

if it's working for you, then i think you should stick with it.

[Dover]

17. Osteopath. Osteopath. Osteopath.

That's what I meant to say. Not orthopath. Don't even know why that word was in my head. Sorry.

I'm so glad you found someone who works for you. That's really what it's all
about....finding the doctor/treatment that feels right. I think sometimes people are quick to condemn a particular medical discipline because the doctor was not up to snuff. It might be helpful if there was some kind of
'Consumer Report' publication for assessing doctors, although it really is such a personal choice.

Something stuck with me that one friend told me about a particularly
painful experience he had with rolfing. He said that the intense pain was not a release for him, but sent the pain it deeper into hiding. His body responded defensively as though it were under attack.

[DesertFlower]

19. my doctor is a DO -- doctor of osteopathy. he's

worked on me many times. unfortunately he just retired. i've been his patient for 19 years. he's almost 79. he offered chelation, IV vitamins and minerals and IV hydrogen peroxide. he also practiced traditional medicine. if you needed a drug he gave it to you.

i'm looking for a new primary care doc right now, but i'll never find one like him.

[Dover]

20. Oh! Well there ya go....an osteopath.

The one I visited has a different experience/training which I don't think includes rolfing. I'm going to ask him what his influences and training were. One thing he did make clear is that he does not dispense drugs which is fine by me. He said he used to and was not comfortable with it.

I hope you find someone who can offer the help you need. It is so difficult to lose the good ones. And in your case that's a lot of history you've shared with him!

[Dover]

3. Dupe

[Sanity Claws]

4. Did you mean osteopath?

I've never heard of orthopath.

[MineralMan]

6. It's a new/old designation in the naturopathetic spectrum.

Pure woo. Most likely, its practitioners went to some massage school, paid for some additional courses, and now has a nice certificate they use to bilk people out of money.

There's not even very much on this on the internet, so it's probably a new "specialty."

[Dover]

14. YES that's what I meant.....my bad. Osteopath.

I've gone back to the OP and inserted the proper term where needed.
Thanks for pointing out my mistake.

[BuddhaGirl]

22. Osteopathic Medicine

About Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathic medicine is a distinct form of medical practice in the United States. Osteopathic medicine provides all of the benefits of modern medicine including prescription drugs, surgery, and the use of technology to diagnose disease and evaluate injury. It also offers the added benefit of hands-on diagnosis and treatment through a system of therapy known as osteopathic manipulative medicine. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes helping each person achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health promotion and disease prevention.

Osteopathic medicine was founded in the late 1800s in Kirksville, Missouri, by a medical doctor who recognized that the medical practices of the day often caused more harm than good. He focused on developing a system of medical care that would promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself and called this system of medicine osteopathy, now known as osteopathic medicine.

Osteopathic physicians, also known as DOs, work in partnership with their patients. They consider the impact that lifestyle and community have on the health of each individual, and they work to break down barriers to good health. DOs are licensed to practice the full scope of medicine in all 50 states. They practice in all types of environments, including the military, and in all types of specialties, from family medicine to obstetrics, surgery, and aerospace medicine.

DOs are trained to look at the whole person from their first days of medical school, which means they see each person as more than just a collection of organ systems and body parts that may become injured or diseased. This holistic approach to patient care means that osteopathic medical students learn how to integrate the patient into the health care process as a partner. They are trained to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, and they get the opportunity to practice these skills in their classrooms and learning laboratories, frequently with standardized and simulated patients.

more at the link:
http://www.aacom.org/about/osteomed/Pages/default.aspx

[Dover]

23. Thanks for that info! n/t

[MineralMan]

5. Orthopathic Medicine?

Another brand of woo. If you feel the need for such things, at the very least consult with a reputable chiropractor or osteopathic doctor.

Just because something is "alternative medicine" does not mean it is valid, nor are its practitioners properly trained or even knowledgeable.

[MineralMan]

7. Here's a bit of information. It's an outdated theory of

disease that hasn't been taught for many, many years. Apparently someone has revived it. I'm looking further into it:

http://colemanhealthandlifestylecenter.com/index_files/page0022.html

[MineralMan]

8. More information at Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopathy

[Dover]

9. dupe

[EvolveOrConvolve]

10. What did your treatment consist of?

Was it a like a massage, or more of an "assessment" therapy that provided nutritional and lifestyle recommendations?

[Dover]

18. Well I filled out pages and pages of info about my physical history

as well as current issues. We didn't talk about nutrition or lifestyle changes in this session. I'm not sure if there is a'typical' way he works. I got the feeling it was very specific to the person he was treating.

In my case we talked a bit about earlier injuries
and he would ocassionally ask questions as he would touch certain areas. When he pressed on a particularly painful place he might instruct me to breathe into it, but not always. Some places brought up old emotions which I expressed as well. Sometimes he would hold my arm or head in a particular position for awhile and at other times he seemed to be adjusting or working muscle/bone in gentle way.
I definitely feel a lot of it was energetic/intuitive work. But I've only been the one time so it's really difficult to say much about how he works in general.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

25. It sounds like you visited an Osteopath

instead of an Orthopath (and it looks like you acknowledged that below).

As a militant skeptic (someone else' words, not mine), I'm okay with Osteopaths. There are some unscrupulous DO's, but the ratio appears to be far lower than what you see in the Chiropractic and other "natural health" professions.

And while Quackwatch (one of my favorite sources of info) recommends against Osteopathy, it admits that Osteopaths can perform satisfactory work if trained correctly.

http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/QA/osteo.html

If it works for you, more power to ya'.

[Dover]

11. Dupe post - please go to >>>

This thread has been combined with another thread.

Click here to read this message in its new location.

[WhiteTara]

13. I had a similar experience with a physical therapist

He worked in a way that really helped me. He used his elbow and worked into specific areas of muscle. Recently he earned his PHD and is writing a book about how to work with chronic pain in this way. I dislocated my toe and he put it back in place through touch. I really miss him as I moved and don't have him anymore. I'll look for orthopaths to see if there might be another healer like him in my area.

[Dover]

16. Sorry. Don't know why "orthopathic" got stuck in my head. I meant OSTEOpathic

as someone pointed out. D'OH! Maybe I need a doctor to straighten
out my head!

Anyway, when you find a good doctor (of any discipline) they are such
a precious gift. Hope you're able to find someone new. I found this
one in a very random way. I usually count on word of mouth. But I'm
glad I did it and perhaps he'll be one of those diamonds in the rough.
We'll see.

[MineralMan]

21. Sorry, then, about my replies. I tend to go with what's

in the post. I'm afraid I can't anticipate later edits.

[WhiteTara]

26. good luck!

:hug:

[marybourg]

24. The osteopathic Drs I've been to, maybe 3, have practiced

medicine just like MDs. In fact in my state, Arizona, many are in practice WITH MDs (although that was not so when I lived in NY). The difference I've found is that the osteopaths I've been to (one of whom is board certified in rheumatology) are better and more empirical diagnosticians and spend much more time with the patient. If I found another appropriate one, I'd give her/him a try (and I use very few drs.)

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

27. That's been my experience also.