Our Services / Osteopathic Manual Therapy

Osteopathic medicine combines traditional Eastern and Western practices to treat pain and dysfunction holistically. At Mercer-Bucks Orthopaedics (MBO) with offices in Hamilton, Lawrenceville, and Princeton, New Jersey, and Langhorne, Pennsylvania, the pain management specialists perform osteopathic manual manipulations to improve the body’s own natural healing abilities and relieve pain. Call MBO or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about osteopathic manual therapy.

What is osteopathic manual therapy?

Osteopathic manual therapy is a hands-on technique that helps prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. The treatment involves applying gentle pressure to your bones and soft tissues to stimulate healing and promote healthy function among your musculoskeletal structures.

What can osteopathic manual therapy treat?

Osteopathic manual therapy can treat many different musculoskeletal conditions without medication, surgery, or invasive procedures. At Mercer-Bucks Orthopaedics, the specialists use osteopathic manual therapy to treat:

Back pain

Back pain can develop in the upper, mid, or lower back, but commonly affects the lumbar spine (lower back). A herniated disc, strained muscle, osteoarthritis, and other injuries and degenerative conditions can lead to back pain.

Neck pain

The cervical spine, or neck, is responsible for supporting the weight of your head. It also allows you to move your head up and down and side to side. As a result, many injuries and degenerative conditions can damage the neck. A herniated disc, whiplash, and muscle strain are some of the most common causes of neck pain.

Headaches

Tension headaches are often the result of tight muscles, particularly in the neck. Osteopathic manual therapy can help reduce this tension to relieve pain from headaches.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis causes a breakdown of the cartilage surrounding your joints. As the protective tissue deteriorates, friction between the bones causes inflammation and pain.

What can I expect from osteopathic manual therapy?

How your physician performs osteopathic manual therapy depends on your source of pain, symptoms, and the severity of your condition. You may sit up, stand, or lie down on the exam table for treatment. Your physician places gentle pressure on specific tissues, carefully moving your joints and muscles into proper alignment.

During treatment, your physician may ask you to hold and release your breath, pull your knees up to your chest, or perform certain movements. Each technique involves applying a different level of pressure and performing different movements.

To learn more about osteopathic manual therapy, call Mercer-Bucks Orthopaedics or schedule an appointment online today.