What Does a Osteopathic Manual Therapist Do?

Soft Tissue Manipulation

The practitioner uses soft tissue manipulation in many different ways. In general, they use it to evaluate the condition of tissues and to help the body’s fluids (such as blood and lymphatic fluid) flow smoothly. Keeping fluids flowing smoothly reduces harmful fluid retention and makes the body’s immune system more effective. Fascia is tissue found in all parts of the body. It connects all of the body’s structures at both superficial and deep levels. Practitioners evaluate the fascia to find areas of restriction, and then use soft tissue manipulation to make sure the length and tension of the fascia are properly balanced. Throughout the treatment, manual osteopaths keep checking on the state of the body’s tissues. If one technique isn’t working to correct a restriction, they use another approach instead. Above all, manual osteopaths try to restore health without over-treating.

Osteopathic Articular Technique

Osteopathic Manual Therapists use this technique to reduce muscle spasms near a joint, ease neurological irritations around a joint, make joints more mobile and to reduce pain and discomfort.  The articular technique involves gently moving 2 joint surfaces.  Before doing this, manual osteopaths carefully prepare the soft tissues around the treatment area.  They also move the patient into a position that will minimize, or eliminate the energy and force needed to perform the manoever.  Many patients find this technique less forceful than joint manipulations.

Cranial Osteopathic Manual Therapy

This is a very gentle osteopathic technique, and it requires the most experience to use effectively. To learn this technique, Manual osteopaths undergo intensive training. Through this training, their hands become sensitive to the cranial mobility and develop great precision in utilizing cranial techniques. Manual osteopaths use this gentle technique to assess and treat the mobility of the skull and its contents. They may also use it to assess and treat the spine, the sacrum, and other parts of the body. The goal of this technique is to adjust the body’s physiology by restoring balance to the circulation of the blood and other body fluids. Manual osteopaths do this by treating the body’s inherent biorhythm. They are able to feel this rhythm in the patient’s head, spinal cord, and in the sacrum and the rest of the body. Manual osteopaths use the biorhythm to assess the patient’s condition, and they may modify it during treatment.

Visceral Manipulation

Osteopathic Manual Therapists use visceral manipulation to treat organs and viscera of the body, including the lungs, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, pancreas, intestines, bladder and uterus. Patients may feel pain in one or more of these organs, or the viscera may be less pliable than it should be. Manual osteopaths gently move the structures themselves and the fascia (connective tissue) that surrounds them to restore full movement.

Most patients treated with visceral manipulation feel only the gentle pressure of the manual osteopath’s hand, but the corrections are powerful enough to improve the mobility of an organ, improve blood flow, and help the organ function more effectively.

The above (and many other) osteopathic manual techniques and approaches are used in a coordinated and rational fashion to slowly adjust the patients anatomy and physiology towards normal, so that the patient’s body can heal itself.

This article originally appeared on nmoc.ca

 

5 Reasons You Should Try Acupuncture Right Now

In the West, acupuncture is still sometimes dismissed — even as more western doctors are incorporating the practice into their treatment plans. Nonetheless, acupuncture is becoming increasingly recognized as an effective treatment for relieving pain, easing stress and even combating insomnia. And in the right hands, acupuncture can also be used to treat a wide array of other symptoms and disorders — as it has been in China and many other countries for centuries.

There is nothing magical or superstitious about it. A doctor's office in Shanghai or Hong Kong is not so different from what you'd find in the United States. What is different however, is that acupuncture is a highly respected and frequently used modality for a range of health and medical conditions.

As practitioners and patients in Asia know quite well, the benefits of acupuncture extend much farther, into areas that might even surprise you. Here are five reasons why acupuncture could soon go mainstream as a form of treatment:

1. Allergies

While Western medicine focuses on treating the uncomfortable symptoms of allergies, Traditional Chinese Medicine — using a combination of acupuncture and herbal treatments — treats the whole person from the inside out. This approach works not only to treat the acute symptoms felt during an allergic reaction, but to regulate the immune system. A healthy functioning immune system will improve an individual's health overall, and reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms.

2. Weight Loss

The inability to achieve a healthy weight can be one of the most stubborn problems patients face, and part of the problem lies in the hypothalamus — the part of the brain that regulates hunger, among other things. Acupuncture can be used to stimulate the hypothalamus, quieting its hunger signals and normalizing appetite. And because acupuncture also relieves stress, it inhibits "stress-eating" and rids the body of fat-storing stress hormones like cortisol.

3. Chemotherapy Side-Effects

Chemotherapy uses drugs to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, a critically important action in fighting cancer. But its side effects — nausea, sore joints, dry mouth, hot flashes and fatigue — are tough on the patient. Acupuncture and electro-acupuncture work to activate chemicals in the brain that block pain. This creates relaxing, pleasurable sensations that can provide much-needed relief for patientsundergoing treatment. Patients can also choose acupressure and cold laser acupuncture, which achieve similar results without the use of needles.

4. Infertility

When the body's physiological systems are impaired by stress, or when neurological connectivity is unbalanced and hormones are being triggered in unhealthy ways, infertility can result. Frustratingly, modern fertility treatments are often hampered by these underlying issues. Acupuncture works to help reset neurological circuits. This can reduce hormonal imbalances and overall stress, and boosts the efficacy of fertility treatments.

5. Smoking Cessation

Nicotine is highly addictive, and the symptoms provoked by quitting smoking include intense cravings, irritability, anxiety, poor sleep, headache, increased appetite, fatigue and difficulty concentrating.

Western aids like the nicotine patch merely delay the onset of symptoms. True relief and success in quitting are possible through the use of acupuncture, which can reduce cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. When you add stress relief to the process, quitting smoking can become easier and totally possible. A qualified practitioner will also provide personalized exercise and dietary recommendations, herbal supplements and an analysis of your triggers for smoking and how to avoid them.

Acupuncture has countless applications for patient health. When combined with other modalities from Traditional Chinese Medicine, or in an integrated fashion with western medicine, the results can be highly effective. This ancient discipline treats the whole person, restoring balance, strengthening immunity and helping physiological systems thrive.

This article originally appeared on mindbodygreen.com and was written by Dr. Daniel Hsu

9 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Stretch Everyday

Not many people consider stretching to be a form of exercise, probably because it is something we do a lot without apparent effort, unlike strength training or aerobics. The effects of stretching aren’t all that apparent either; it doesn’t help you break a sweat or lose mega pounds. Stretching doesn’t give you six-pack abs or release growth hormones (HGH) known to have many fitness benefits. However, this relatively gentle form of exercise can keep you staying healthy and fit and is good for both your body and mind. 

1. Stretching increases flexibility

Sports trainers have always insisted that athletes give much importance to stretching, both before and after training sessions. That’s because stretching increased the flexibility of the body and reduced injuries in the field. Cats know that it is not ‘nine lives’ that help them land on their feet, but their great flexibility. And how do they keep their body flexible but by stretching it every now and then in between their long siestas.  In fact, you will see all animals stretching at one time or another during the day. 

2. Stretching exercises help lower blood sugar levels

Stretching definitely makes you more flexible, but the number one reason to stretch actually comes from an exciting new study which has found that it reduces blood sugar levels. You might already know that intense exercise increases insulin production and the utilization of the hormone to push glucose from the blood into tissues.

Contrary to expectations, a 30-second stretch and hold routine has been found to be just as effective in lowering glucose levels in the blood. Surprisingly, the effect doesn’t come from increased insulin production, but from capillaries in the muscle tissue opening up, facilitating the movement of glucose into the cells.

People with diabetes have a perennial problem with high blood sugar either because their pancreas gland is not producing insulin, as in Type I Diabetes, or because their insulin production has reduced over the years, as in Type II Diabetes. In people with insulin resistance, the hormone is present, but it cannot be utilized due to the insensitivity of insulin receptors.

Elevated sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves and adversely affect almost all other organ systems of the body, severely damaging kidneys, liver, heart, and the nervous system. Diabetes is rated as the no. 7 killer, but it is an underlying cause of many other potentially fatal diseases, including high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke.  

High blood glucose level is not a problem exclusive to diabetics. In non-diabetics, high carbohydrate diet can cause high blood sugar for 1-2 hours after a meal. Although their insulin production will eventually bring down the sugar levels, frequent episodes of elevated blood sugar can do almost as much damage as full blown diabetes.

Elevated blood sugar can also cause overproduction of insulin, which gradually desensitizes the insulin receptors, resulting in insulin resistance. This can set into motion a series of metabolic problems that can potentially lead to Type II Diabetes.

Stretching helps reduce blood sugar by increasing the flexibility of the blood vessels supplying the muscles, which in turn allows more blood flow to the muscle tissue where the glucose can be utilized.  

3. Stretching helps reduce high blood pressure and its ill effects

Blood pressure is the force exerted on the arteries as the blood gets pumped through them. There may be several reasons such as obesity, diabetes, mineral imbalances, and stress hormones that may elevate a person’s blood pressure above the normal of 120/80.

The stress-busting effect of gentle, slow-paced stretching exercises can contribute directly to the lowering of blood pressure. It is not surprising since we already know that the stress hormone cortisol can raise blood pressure.

Increased pressure on the arterial walls damages them and makes them stiffer. But stretching can counteract the artery-stiffening effect of hypertension and protect you from many life-threatening conditions associated with high blood pressure, including atherosclerosis, kidney failure, and heart disease.

4. Regular stretching routine can reverse atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is another progressive disease condition which, like diabetes, has a wide-ranging effect on several organ systems. It starts with the buildup of plaque on the inner walls of the arteries that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to different organs and tissues of the body such as kidneys and heart muscle.

Plaque consists  mainly of cholesterol and calcium, and their accumulation on the arterial walls results in the narrowing of these blood vessels. This naturally reduces the blood flow to the respective organs, lowering their efficiency. For example, atherosclerosis in the coronary artery supplying the heart muscles can result in partial blocks that causes heart pain or angina, or a complete block that can result in a heart attack.

Atherosclerosis in the carotid artery that carries blood to the brain increases the risk of stroke. Narrowing of peripheral arteries reduces the blood supply to the hands and legs, causing pain and numbness. When renal arteries are affected, chronic kidney disease develops, which eventually culminates in kidney failure.

Besides narrowing the lumen of the blood vessels, atherosclerosis stiffens the arteries. We have seen that stretching exercises can increase the flexibility of blood vessels and improve blood flow. It has also been observed that regular practice can gradually reduce the plaque in the affected arteries.

5. Stretching exercises keep the muscles healthy

Muscles develop or atrophy based on the use and disuse theory. Those muscles we work more often become well developed while the least used ones tend to breakdown. When you sit around for extended periods, your thigh and calf muscles and glutes remain inactive, while certain other muscles in the lower back and around the knees become overstrained and sore. Stretching can prevent muscular atrophy of the glutes and other underused muscles and relieve pain in the strained ones.

We have seen how stretching improves blood circulation to the muscles. With increased blood supply comes extra oxygen and other nutrients to the muscles. Removal of metabolic waste from the tissues also becomes more efficient.

6. Stretching can increase the range of motion (ROM) of joints

Muscles are attached to the bone joints by tough, yet flexible, tendons. A similar type of tissue between the bones in a joint allows joint flexibility. Unless these tissues are kept in good condition with frequent stretching movements, the connective tissue protein collagen weaves a network of fibers. It causes them to stiffen up, reducing their capacity to remain flexible. When that happens, the range of motion (ROM) of the joints becomes greatly reduced. Stretching helps break up the collagen network and keeps the tissues flexible, allowing greater ROM.  

Aging naturally stiffens the tissues and reduces ROM, but in diabetic people, high blood sugar levels cause collagen to become glycated, forming a tougher, much less flexible tissue. That is one reason why ‘frozen shoulder’ is a common problem in diabetics. Along with aerobic exercises and resistance training, stretching exercises hold extra importance for diabetics.

7. Stretching helps correct structural imbalances and improves posture

Our body has a bilateral symmetry in the musculoskeletal framework, and the S-shaped curvature of the spine helps with balance. When we repeatedly do tasks that cause imbalances, such as carrying weight––a baby or a shoulder bag––on one side, some muscles gets over stretched while their counterparts remain contracted. The same thing happens when we use one hand or one leg exclusively for heavy and repetitive work or activity.

Similarly, when we spend a lot of time crouched in front of the computer screens, our shoulder muscles overstretch inwards, while the chest muscles remain contracted. You can see the opposite condition in pregnant women who bend backward in an effort to balance the weight of the enlarged tummy.

Stretching exercises help relieve the tension in both the overstretched and  contracted muscles and restore the structural integrity of the body.  

8. Regular stretching keeps your back safe

Back problems can be triggered by lifting heavy weights or by sudden twisting movements, especially in those who have not been maintaining the flexibility of their spine with sufficient stretching activities.

The vertebrae that form the spine are held in place by the surrounding muscles. 23 pairs of vertebral discs made of cartilaginous tissue keep the bony vertebrae separated from each other and from the spinal cord that runs through the spine. Their slightest displacement can injure the spinal cord, resulting in mild to acute pain.

Lack of exercise can make the cartilage tissue stiff and inflexible. When that happens, sudden twisting and straining can cause tears in the cartilage. Sitting for long hours without stretching makes the spine stiff and cause backache. Tight hamstrings also can cause low back pain.

Stretching exercises involving bending and rotational movements help strengthen the core muscles surrounding the spine and keep the discs flexible. Exercises stretching the hamstrings as well as getting up from the seat every 20-30 minutes for a few minutes of general stretching can keep your back in good condition. And don’t wait for any back pain to get you started on this. 

9. Stretching improves mental health

We’re not stretching the facts here, but people who do stretching exercises regularly report improvement in sleep quality, mood, and self-esteem. Don’t dismiss it as subjective data because there are plenty of sound scientific reasons to support their claim. For one, stretching triggers the release of dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter associated with positive feelings and good sleep. Dopamine can improve attention, learning and memory too.

The positive effects stretching have on blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and general cardiovascular health also can improve mental wellbeing because the above conditions are associated with depression and mood swings.

Stretching should be ideally done at an easy pace, accompanied by correct breathing techniques. A stretched position should be held for a minimum of 20-30 seconds to derive optimum results. Yoga and Pilates can be good stretching routines, but make sure that you involve all muscle groups, repeating it 4-5 times a week.

This article originally appeared on naturallivingideas.com and was written by Sierra Bright.

Real Benefits Proven For Seniors to Intensely Exercise

A study recently published in the Journal of Cell Metabolism (my go-to recreational reading resource) showed that exercise for seniors actually regenerates cells. In fact, interval type exercise (HIIT), bouts of intense exercise followed by a rest or less intense exercise, can reverse many degenerative problems associated with getting old. 

Researchers divided participants into two groups – one between the ages of 18 to 30 and another between 65 and 80. Each group performed a set routine of exercises. When performing HIIT exercise, the young participants saw an impressive 49 per cent increase in mitochondrial capacity. The older group saw a staggering 69 per cent increase. (Mitochondria function as tiny batteries producing energy to fuel activity.) 

The results of this study are impressive but not unique. Many studies have replicated similar outcomes using weight training or various interval formats, all pointing to the same conclusion. You can regain significant strength and vitality by simply using your body for its intended purpose or, simply put, use it or lose it.

With obesity at epidemic levels and Baby Boomers searching for the elixir of youth, this research couldn’t have come at a better time.

Past generations may have reclined into the welcoming arms of a sedentary retirement but Boomers define themselves differently. Not willing to settle for a game of cards at the local senior centre, Boomers are exploring, travelling and venturing into second careers.

The modern senior (don’t ever call them that!) isn’t hitting the gym intent on diversifying their speedo collection. Their focus is functional fitness. Boomers are exchanging years slouched over a desk for years enjoying life.

With new research pointing to the importance of intermittent activity, exercise experts have come to the realization that hours in the gym is not the best use of time for the average person. Conveniently, alternating bouts of more intense exercise fits better into people’s schedules and, more importantly, it’s much more palatable.

When your doctor says this may pinch, you know it’s going to hurt. Like tearing off a band aid, HIIT can ‘pinch’ but it’s over quick. Long bouts of cardio on the treadmill may pinch, but it’s going to hurt for 30-plus minutes … and its boring.

What makes interval training manageable for many exercisers is the short horizons. People can go hard for 20 seconds because they can see a rest coming in … 5, 4, 3, 2 and rest.

The type of activity and intensity performed during a HIIT session is determined by the participant. While an athlete may engage in sprints, a deconditioned person could walk as their activity.

Similarly, “challenging” is defined differently by everyone. In fact, some of our most deconditioned clients achieve the best workouts simply because they aren’t used to the protocol. And they come back for more.

Like a carrot on a stick, recovery periods act as a means of empowering exercisers and reinforcing accomplishment.  

We ask clients to perform a single Tabata (20 second exercise/10 second rest/repeat) for a total of four minutes as per the original research protocol. ‘That’s it?’ Its not long before they ask if they should be going longer. Now that’s progress.

Of course, high intensity anything has an element of risk, which means you should chat with your doctor prior to jumping in feet first. Chances are you are already performing some element of HIIT training when carrying groceries or shovelling snow. The smart approach would be to do it regularly so that your body becomes accustomed to the routine.

This article originally appeared on edmontonjournal.com and was written by Paul Robinson