Osteopathic manipulation therapy (OMT) employs the use of manual pressure in precise ways to alleviate pain and restore function to the body. OMT emphasizes noninvasive alternatives to surgeries and medications whenever possible. When implementing this treatment, your doctor of osteopathy (DO) manipulates muscles and joints using techniques that include stretching, gentle pressure and resistance.
At the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, our osteopathic approach addresses the root biomechanical causes of injuries and conditions as well as their symptoms. All body systems are interrelated and dependent upon one another for maximum health, therefore, we also address nutritional issues, prevention strategies and evaluate ergonomics for runners, cyclists and other athletes.
Our physicians apply the tenets of osteopathic medicine to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all types of illness, disease and injury, including:
We also specialize in treating sports-related injuries including:
Osteopathic manipulative treatment: This hands-on muscle manipulation technique seeks to improve range of joint motion and balance tissue and muscle mechanics in order to relieve pain. Techniques include stretching, gentle pressure and resistance.
Prolotherapy: This treatment involves the injection of an irritant, such as dextrose, into tender ligaments, tendons, and adjacent joint spaces. The technique is commonly used to treat musculoskeletal conditions such as ligament pathology, tendinopathy, fasciopathy and osteoarthritis.
Trigger point injections: TPIs use a local anesthetic or a corticosteroid to treat the painful areas of muscle spasms, typically in the shoulder or upper back. Knots in these areas may be associated with tension headaches and fibromyalgia in addition to muscle pain.
Our board-certified providers understand that noninvasive techniques can lead to exceptional healing, and work with patients to harness the body’s ability to heal and repair. Providers at the Institute also work collaboratively, providing patients with the resources and knowledge-base of a team dedicated to their health and well-being.
Bobby Nourani, DO
Kim Hecht, DO
For any questions regarding our courses, please email ssihi@hs.uci.edu.