Managing Pain: Osteopathy and a Holistic Approach

We all have bad days, where we just don’t feel good. Pain, whether it’s lower back, neck, headaches, or chronic pain from ongoing illness, we know it stops us from doing what we want and need to do. The impact on lifestyle activities such as participating in a sport or feeling like joining the rest of the family for a hike in the mountains, pain can often hold us back.
Beyond our lifestyle and daily activities, for those of us who are working, we know the impact we or other employees have on productivity. Sadly, a workplace trend is to be at work regardless of how we feel for any number of reasons. Studies suggest that presenteeism reduces productivity close to 50% for employees with severe pain. Presenteeism in individuals with back pain has also been found to predict future sickness absence.

Traditional western medicine focuses on medication and/or surgery. Though each of these can be relevant in managing pain, we also focus on holistic approaches, such as osteopathy.

Overall, osteopathy can help with diverse types of pain such as chronic lower back pain, menstrual and pelvic pain, headaches, and migraines as well as postural imbalances leading to pain. Dr. Moreau specializes in three types of osteopathy which are considered after a thorough assessment.

1. Structural Osteopathy focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing musculoskeletal disorders by addressing the relationship between the body’s structure and overall health. It emphasizes the importance of bodily alignment and its impact on overall function and well-being. This involves hands-on techniques such as strain-counterstain which positions the body to reduce tension and pain. Dr. Moreau may recommend a muscle energy technique, which engages the patient’s muscles to assist in realigning joints and muscles.

We encourage patients to understand the connection of structural issues to other bodily systems, not only for the current pain, but osteopathy makes a markable difference in prevention of chronic or future health issues.

Our patients have come to us after taking over-the-counter drugs or medications for years, without ever considering the value of alternative medicines. If you or someone you know is suffering from any of these conditions, a more holistic approach should be considered:

• Musculoskeletal Pain: Back, neck, and joint pain.
• Postural Issues: Problems caused by poor alignment.
• Pre/Post-Surgical Management: Supporting healing and recovery.
• Pregnancy-Related Pain: Back, rib, and pelvic discomfort during pregnancy.
• Sports Injuries: Addressing strains, sprains, and other injuries.
• Headaches: Particularly tension headaches related to muscle strain.
• Chronic Pain Syndromes: Conditions like fibromyalgia.
• Pain from Medical Conditions: Managing pain from conditions such as rheumatologic disorders or cancer.

2. Depending on Dr. Moreau’s assessment, he may find that visceral osteopathy is a specialized branch of osteopathic medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating dysfunctions of the internal organs and their influence on overall health. It emphasizes the interconnection between organs, muscles, and the musculoskeletal system to promote holistic well-being. Patients with musculoskeletal pain linked to organ dysfunction, such as lower back pain related to digestive or urinary issues may be recommended for visceral osteopathy.

3. Another type of osteopathy, craniosacral, focuses on the craniosacral system, which includes the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Through gentle manipulation, it aims to promote overall health by releasing tension and restoring balance within the body. Craniosacral osteopathy can help patients with neck and back pain, headaches and migraines, and chronic pain syndromes.

Additionally, prevention of reoccurring pain might involve supplements as we have seen the effective results with the correct use overseen by our practice. For example, you may have heard of Chondroitin and glucosamine which are two natural substances within your cartilage, tending to decrease around your joints as you age. Supplements containing these components have been found to reduce pain caused by cartilage loss. Additionally, chondroitin may improve function and glucosamine may improve stiffness.

We hope if you or someone you know is finding it difficult to manage their pain, know that Dr. Moreau initiates services with a comprehensive physical examination focusing on such areas as alignment, range of motion, tenderness, and palpation to feel tissue abnormalities. At Integrative Medicine, we offer a multi-modality approach for a more comprehensive and effective treatment outcome than relying on a single method. Patients benefit from having a variety of treatments available under one roof, including supplement prescriptions under high quality formulation, ordering and delivery, for seamless care and better results!