Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
with
Dr. Shannon Crout, DO
“I became a physician because I saw a lot of suffering in the world, and I wanted to alleviate some of that suffering.”
What is OMM?
(and other frequently asked questions)
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (also called Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine) is a form of medicine that was founded in 1874. The founder of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Andrew T. Still, MD, DO envisioned OMM as an integrated part of every osteopathic physician’s practice. Simply put it is using skilled hands to diagnose and treat the body. Structure and function are interrelated so if structure (body) is improved, function (illness/disease) can improve.
What is Osteopathy?
"It is a scientific knowledge of anatomy and physiology in the hands of a person of intelligence and skill, who can apply that knowledge to the use of man when sick or wounded by strains, shocks, falls, or mechanical derangement or injury of any kind to the body.”
Dr. Andrew T. Still, MD, DO
The four tenets of Osteopathic Medicine:- The body is a unit
- The body possesses self-regulatory mechanisms
- Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated
- Rational therapy is based upon an understanding of the first three tenets
What is a DO?
There are two types of medical schools in the United States, osteopathic (earn Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, DO) and allopathic (earn Doctor of Medicine degree, MD). Both medical schools are 4 years long followed by residency training in a field for approximately 3-5years. Dr. Andrew Taylor Still practiced in the mid to late 1800s, saw the short comings of medicine and personally experienced 3 of his children dying as a result of what is now a treatable illness.
Out of his greatest pain came his significant discovery.
What is a somatic dysfunction?
Impaired or altered function of the various body elements-skeletal, joint, myofascial, vascular, lymphatic and neural structures. It is expressed by tissue texture changes, asymmetry, restricted range of motion, tenderness, all of which can be palpated (felt) with osteopathically trained hands. These dysfunctions unwind as the body relaxes and returns to its neutral thereby improving symptoms.
Who can receive Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment?
Anyone. Newborn to palliative care, no matter the age or stage of life, OMM can make a difference. I treat the individual, not the disease/illness/condition. Sometimes OMM is the cure or primary modality for healing, often it is synergistic with other forms of medicine, or occasionally it would not make a significant difference.
Learn more about what OMM treats on the Services page.
What is the difference between OMM and chiropractics, massage, or physical therapy?
Each is very different due to our specific training. While a couple of modalities may overlap, the lens through which we see health and disease, and approach the body, is different. An OMM/NMM board certified physician completes 4 years of medical school and 3 years of OMM/NMM residency training.
Craniosacral therapy vs Osteopathy in the Cranial Field
Only physicians practice osteopathy in the cranial field; a very modified curriculum is taught to lay people and non-physicians who then practice craniosacral therapy.