OSTEOPATH

Fibromyalgia (FM) and CFS/ME can be a very difficult illnesses to manage and treat. Accompanied by numerous symptoms, ranging from fatigue to debilitating muscle pain, FM and CFS/ME sufferers often have to look for a number of different treatments before they experience any relief. If you are currently suffering from FM and/or CFS/ME, you may want to look into finding an osteopath to help treat your symptoms. Osteopaths are licensed medical doctors who provide unique and effective treatments that are associated with few side effects. They may be able to relieve your FM and/or CFS/ME pain quickly and effectively.

What is an Osteopath?

An osteopath is a doctor who is trained in the field of osteopathic medicine. Often known as a D.O. (doctor of osteopathy), osteopaths are licensed physicians, much like M.D.s. However, osteopaths follow a different approach to general medicine. These physicians believe in the body's ability to heal itself. Through treatment, these physicians can help to relieve unpleasant symptoms and stimulate the body's natural healing abilities. Osteopaths see the body as being interconnected; the organs, muscles, nerves, and bones all connect to make a system, known as the musculoskeletal system. By making adjustments in the musculoskeletal system, osteopaths can encourage overall healing and treatment.

There are currently more than 40,000 practicing osteopaths in the United States. They receive over 100 million visits from patients every year.

What are an Osteopath's Qualifications?

Like family physicians and surgeons, osteopaths are qualified medical doctors. They are licensed by state and specialist boards and must complete rigorous exams before they can practice. Osteopaths have completed years of education and training, including:

• a four-year undergraduate degree in science
• four years of medical school
• 300-500 extra hours of training in the musculoskeletal system

Osteopaths are certified to write prescriptions and perform minor surgeries.

What Do Osteopaths Do?

Osteopaths engage in the diagnosis and treatment of a range of different medical conditions. Their primary method of practice is known as Osteopathic Manual Manipulation (OMM). OMM works to remove obstructions in the musculoskeletal system, allowing the body to heal itself of disease and illness. It involves manual palpation of the body's muscles, nerves, bones, and tissues and may include practices such as:

• joint manipulation
• craniosacral therapy
• soft tissue manipulation
• trigger point release
• spinal manipulation

What Conditions can an Osteopath Treat?

An osteopath can treat a variety of medical conditions, including:

• chronic fatigue syndrome
• arthritis
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• back pain
• neck pain
• emporomandibular joint disorder
• headaches
• swelling
• sinus problems

Can an Osteopath Help Your Illness?

Osteopaths can help to ease many of your FM and/or CFS/ME symptoms, particularly fatigue, muscle pain, and chronic headaches. They can also help to:

• increase flexibility
• improve range of motion
• relieve joint pain

What To Expect

When you first visit your osteopath, you can expect her to take your full medical history. This will include details of past illnesses as well current physical and psychological symptoms. You can also expect her to perform a complete physical exam that will probably focus on your musculoskeletal system. You may be asked to sit down, lie down, stand up, or walk across the room while your osteopath assesses your flexibility, reflexes, and posture.

Treatment will probably involve physical manipulation of some type. You will be asked to lie down on a examination table and your osteopath will palpate your legs, arms, and back. He may rotate your limbs or stretch your muscles. During treatment, you may feel deeply relaxed or experience tingling sensations.

Finding an Osteopath

You can find a licensed osteopath in your area by contacting the American Osteopathic Association. Alternatively, you can contact a local hospital for a recommended practitioner. Our Doctor Database consists of 5974 doctors in 80 countries worldwide that specialize in treating people with FM and/or CFS/ME, many of which are osteopaths.