The complaints most commonly helped by Osteopathic treatment are low back pain and sciatica. The treatment is to improve blood flow, relax muscles, free any joints that are not moving properly, thereby restoring normal nerve activity. Osteopathic treatment can help patients in the early stages of osteoarthritis of the hip, and can often restore movement or at least, in the case of the more advanced stages of osteoarthritis, reduce pain and swelling in arthritic patients awaiting surgery. There are several medical conditions where Osteopathic treatment should not be used, or should be used in limited circumstances, or in conjunction with other treatments, such as active infections, fractures, bone disease, cancer, gross structural deformities, and severe general medical conditions such as gross high blood pressure or heart attack, vascular disease like thrombosis, neurological conditions with nerve damage, spinal cord damage, and severe prolapse of an intervertebral disc. Osteopathic Doctors are taught to recognize the importance of exercise and posture for health.
Exercise needs to be relevant to the patient's age, state of health and aims in life.
As we age, body tissues are less flexible. It is best to begin exercising gradually, increasing to a level that does not overstrain the heart and lungs. It is wise for middle-aged or older persons to see a Medical Doctor or Osteopath before starting an exercise program. Poor posture can result in poor circulation and weak muscles, backache, headache and many other distressful symptoms. Good posture includes knowing the best way to stand, walk, sit and rise from a chair, how to lift heavy objects, the best work positions for different jobs, and how to relax.