What Is Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)?

The short version

OMM is hands-on assessment and treatment of the musculoskeletal system. I use my hands to find areas where your body isn't moving the way it should (we call this somatic dysfunction), and then I use specific manual techniques to restore normal motion, reduce pain, and improve function.

Every patient at Center of Movement gets OMM as part of their care. It's not an add-on. It's the foundation.

What happens during treatment

I start by putting my hands on you and assessing how your body moves. I'm checking joint motion, tissue texture, symmetry, and tenderness throughout the region of concern and the areas connected to it. This takes a few minutes and gives me more information than most imaging studies for the kinds of problems I treat.

Once I've identified the areas of dysfunction, I treat them using a combination of techniques chosen for your body and your specific problem. Treatment usually takes 15 to 25 minutes. Most patients notice a difference the same day.

Techniques I use

Muscle energy. I have you actively contract specific muscles against my resistance in precise positions to restore joint motion. It's gentle, controlled, and the patient does most of the work.

Myofascial release. Sustained manual pressure and stretch to release fascial restrictions. Fascia is the connective tissue that wraps every muscle, organ, and nerve in your body. When it gets restricted, it can refer pain and limit motion over a wide area.

Counterstrain. I find tender points in your body and position you to take the tension off the associated tissue. It's subtle and gentle, and it works well for acute pain where the body is guarding.

High-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA). This is what most people think of as "cracking" or "adjusting." A quick, controlled thrust to restore motion to a restricted joint. I use it when it's the right tool for the job, not by default on every patient.

Cranial osteopathy. Very gentle techniques applied to the head, sacrum, and spine. Particularly effective for headaches, TMJ dysfunction, and post-concussion symptoms.

Balanced ligamentous tension and ligamentous articular strain. Indirect techniques that work with the body's inherent forces to release restrictions. Useful for acute injuries and patients who don't tolerate direct techniques well.

Is it like chiropractic?

I get this question a lot. There's overlap in some techniques (HVLA adjustments, for example), but the philosophy and training are different. DOs complete full medical school training alongside OMM. I think about the body as an integrated system: structure, function, and the metabolic environment that supports both. OMM is one tool in a comprehensive medical practice, not the only tool.

Does it hurt?

Some techniques produce temporary discomfort, especially when treating acute dysfunction or areas with significant tenderness. Most patients find treatment comfortable and often relaxing. I always communicate what I'm doing and adjust based on your feedback.

How many visits will I need?

It depends entirely on the problem. Some issues resolve in one or two visits. Chronic conditions often benefit from a series of treatments spaced over several weeks, with the frequency decreasing as your body stabilizes. I'll give you a clear treatment plan after your first visit.