Osteopathic Techniques

What techniques do osteopaths use?

• Osteopaths work with their hands to perform a variety of techniques including:
• Massage and stretching techniques – to release tension in the muscles.
• Articulation techniques – moves the joints through their range of motion to improve joint mobility.
• Muscle energy techniques – balances muscles around a joint to improve joint mobility.
• Counterstrain techniques – works on “resetting” the neurological stimulation that causes muscles to be too tight. It involves holding the tissues in a position of ease to achieve the release.
• Functional techniques – work with the ease of the tissues to achieve balance in the tissues.
• Manipulation – this is where you may hear the “pop or crack” sound. It involves a quick movement in a specific position that allows the restricted joint to be freed. The noise is the separating of the joint surfaces, just like opening a jam jar for the first time it goes “pop”.
• Visceral techniques – these work on the small inherent movement that occurs of the organs of the body. This movement is important for normal function of the organs.
• Fascial techniques – the fascia is the connective tissue of the body. It surrounds all the other tissues, bones, nerves, muscles and blood vessels. (A bit like the pith of an orange.) It can get torsioned and twisted affecting the tissues it surrounds. Fascial techniques work to “untwist” the fascia.
• Cranial Techniques – works on the small but important movement that occurs in the head and sacrum, that is reflected throughout the body. The movement occurs in the skull bones, membranes, cerebro-spinal fluid and brain itself. (See later for further information.)