People experiencing low back pain and/or sciatica can benefit from Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). OMT is based upon the use of an Osteopathic physician¹s hands applying manual forces in order to improve the body¹s function. OMT is most commonly equated with spinal manipulation, where the bony joints of the spine and pelvis and placed back into alignment. Osteopathic physicians are capable of much more intricate manipulations, however, that target not only the skeletal structures but the soft tissues and related vascular, lymphatic, and neural elements as well.

Several types of OMT

There are several types of OMT that are typically encountered for low back pain/sciatica. The first is a thrust treatment that uses high velocity/low amplitude forces to align bony structures. Another type of treatment, called muscle energy, is a system of diagnosis and treatment where the patient is instructed to move their body in controlled movements against a small resistance given by the physician. There are also many gentle techniques where the dysfunctional tissues are guided along the path of least resistance until free movement is achieved. The goal of OMT is not only to relieve pain, but to bring the body to its most functional state. It is in this state that the body can achieve health.

Does it work?

Does OMT work? There have been several studies that investigate whether OMT is beneficial. One study in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that both groups of patients, those who received OMT and those who did not, had similar levels of pain at six weeks. The group that had OMT required less medication, however. Another study conducted by investigators in Texas showed that patients receiving OMT reported significantly less amounts of low back pain than those receiving standard treatment alone. Patients with acute pain should expect at least 4-6 treatments of OMT. It is possible to achieve total relief with only one treatment, but additional treatments are useful for follow-up and maintenance. Patients who have been experiencing chronic pain (longer than 12 weeks) should expect the need for more treatments.