Functional and positional release. The osteopath moves your body into particular positions that let the tense muscles relax. Sometimes, when you really can't move some part of your body, the osteopath uses a quick push, sometimes called a high-velocity thrust , to get it moving again. The thrust is painless, but you may hear a perfectly normal clicking sound as the joint moves into a better position. This technique is said to help your immune system by improving the circulation of the lymph fluids.
Many patients say it helps with other problems, such as migraines and menstrual pain.
It's less clear how helpful OMT is for a lot of problems. An osteopath would treat a case of pneumonia, for example, with regular medical methods, including any needed drugs, along with special attention to your nutrition and possibly the lymphatic technique. In addition to OMT, osteopaths also teach their patients relaxation techniques, better breathing methods, and ways to improve their posture and working positions. They often provide nutritional counseling and recommend supplements. Cranial Osteopathy Cranial osteopathy is a controversial offshoot of regular osteopathy.