How Can Osteopathic Manual Therapy (OMT) Support Me on My Surgical Journey?
By Victoria Fik, Non-Physician Osteopathic Manual Therapist
“To find health is the object of the doctor. Anyone can find disease.”
A.T Still, founder of Osteopathy
Surgery is a common procedure used to address various medical conditions. While surgery can be absolutely essential and in many cases, life-saving, there is no doubt that the challenges of the post-operative period can affect the body's ability to recover and adapt. Collaborating with a non-physician osteopathic manual therapist can help to identify and address any underlying obstruction to the body’s innate capacity to self-heal and self-regulate and significantly optimize your treatment outcomes.
Osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) is commonly sought out by patients after surgery to aid in their recovery. However, I suggest also utilizing OMT before a planned surgical procedure, when possible, to help restore imbalances and restrictions of the body, greatly improve outcomes, and potentially delay the need for surgical intervention.
Preparing for a Surgical Intervention with Osteopathic Manual Therapy
The principles of osteopathy emphasize the body's innate ability to heal and maintain balance. It highlights the body's resilience and adaptability, always striving to restore health and optimal function, regardless of the severity or duration of the dysfunction. The message that osteopathy gives is one of hope and optimism, suggesting that improvement and recovery are possible.
The rationale for preoperative Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is to enhance the patient's structural and functional balance. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated in the body, and thus abnormal structure affects how the body functions. By addressing underlying musculoskeletal imbalances and dysfunctions, OMT can help the body better prepare for surgery and promote faster healing.
Our approach involves a comprehensive examination to identify and address the root cause of your issue, rather than simply focusing on symptom relief. Through gentle hands-on techniques, osteopaths can improve your body’s alignment and function, enhance blood and lymphatic flow, and reduce pain, stiffness, and discomfort. By doing so, we can create an environment in your tissues that promotes healing and restoration of health.
How Do Imbalances Affect the Body’s Ability to Heal?
An impaired or altered framework to our body can indeed disrupt normal physiological functions and create an environment conducive to disease development. Here are a few examples that may help illustrate this point:
Poor posture can place stress on joints, muscles, and nerves, leading to pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility. Over time, this can contribute to conditions like arthritis, disc degeneration, and nerve impingement.
A misaligned spine can affect the function of the nervous system, leading to a wide range of symptoms in organs.
Misaligned tissues can compress blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic channels, impeding the flow of blood, oxygen, nutrients, and waste removal.
These examples highlight how disruptions to the body's framework can have far-reaching effects on health. We understand that everyone's healthcare journey is unique, and we're here to support you wherever you are in that process. Osteopathy complements traditional healthcare approaches, so you can safely pursue both options simultaneously. For those considering surgery, pre-surgery osteopathic sessions (6 sessions over 8 weeks) are recommended to optimize treatment outcomes.
** It is essential to consult with your primary care provider to determine if OMT is appropriate for your specific situation and to discuss the potential benefits and limitations.
Pre-operative Fear and How it Affects Your Tissues
It's common for patients to experience anxiety and fear before surgery, and this can have a direct impact on how well your tissues heal after the procedure.
For this reason, we believe in preparing both your body and your mind for surgery. Research shows that pre-surgical anxiety can negatively affect the healing process. We want to address any concerns you may have and help you find ways to alleviate anxiety before your procedure.
The reduction in muscular tension achieved through Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) can positively impact emotional stress. This is due to the close relationship between the body's physical and emotional states. By easing muscular tension, OMT can encourage a shift towards parasympathetic dominance, which is associated with relaxation and reduced stress.
Recovering from Surgery with Osteopathic Manual Therapy
The rationale for preoperative treatment is to prepare the tissues for surgery. This is a crucial step in ensuring the best possible outcome for the patient. Equally important, however, is the patient's postoperative collaboration with their non-physician osteopathic manual practitioner.
The post-operative period presents unique challenges that can hinder the body's innate capacity for self-healing and self-regulation. Many individuals, following their doctor's recommendations, do seek osteopathic manual therapy to support their healing process and improve mobility after surgery. Although surgery is effective in treating many medical conditions, there are common symptoms that patients will complain of that affect how quickly they heal. These symptoms can include:
Muscle strain due to positioning during surgery or transfers
Postural changes as the body compensates for its new state
Excessive inflammation following the physical trauma of surgery
Effects of immobility during the post-operative rest phase
Altered gut motility after abdominal surgery, among others.
It's important to remember that regardless of how well the surgery went and the care taken during the procedure, the physical trauma associated with surgery can disrupt the body's internal balance and irritate its systems. This is a common thing we treat at the clinic, and suggest seeking osteopathic care to support your body's healing process and restore balance.
Osteopathic manual therapy can support you after your surgery by:
Reducing pain: OMT can help manage pain and discomfort associated with surgery.
Addressing musculoskeletal imbalances caused by surgery.
Faster Healing: By promoting circulation and reducing inflammation, OMT can speed up the healing process.
Manage emotional stress by balancing the nervous system
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a therapeutic approach that can be beneficial during this recovery period. It focuses on deep relaxation and releasing tension in the body. By promoting a state of balance and rest, OMT can help your body redirect its energy towards self-healing and self-regulation.
If you're interested in learning more about OMT or scheduling a session, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to support you in your journey to optimal health.
** It is essential to consult with your primary care provider to determine if OMT is appropriate for your specific situation and to discuss the potential benefits and limitations. OMT is not a substitute for conventional medical treatment, especially in cases where surgery is necessary. It's always best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional to discuss the risks and benefits of any treatment, including OMT, and to determine the best course of action for your individual needs. I encourage you to schedule a consultation to discuss your individual needs and explore whether OMT could be a beneficial option for you.
Local, Complimentary Care to Support Your Journey
At Nourish Osteo & Wellness, we collaborate with highly skilled practitioners and services that will compliment our work. Below are a list of recommendations that may support you in your healing journey peri-operatively:
Holistic Hyperbarics (Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment): https://www.hh-bayarea.com/
Brain spa (lymphatic drainage massage): https://bayareabrainspa.com/
Brianna Darcey (Acupuncture): https://www.briannadarcey.com/
"Acupuncture can support patients both pre- and post-operatively by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and enhancing circulation to optimize recovery. Post-operatively, it can help manage pain, reduce inflammation, and support the body's natural healing process. By integrating acupuncture into their care, patients often experience a smoother recovery and improved overall well-being." - Brianna Darcey
White magnolia (Tai chi and Acupuncture): https://whitemagnoliahealth.com/
“Like acupuncture, Tai Chi's gentle movements can help with pain management, improved sleep, boosting immunity and enhancing mood. Tai Chi's additional benefits of increasing flexibility, balance, cardiovascular fitness and bone strength can also play a big role in enhancing surgery recovery. It is important to consult with your surgeon or other provider before starting acupuncture or Tai Chi to ensure it aligns with your surgical and medical plan.” - John Luna - Sparks
Srinika (nutritional analysis): https://srinikahealing.com/nutritional-analysis/
References:
John C. Licciardone, DO, MS, MBA; Robert J. Gatchel, PhD, ABPP; Subhash Aryal, PhD. Recovery From Chronic Low Back Pain After Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, February 2016 DOI:10.7556/jaoa.2016.031