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Instead of looking at each symptom of an illness separately, osteopathic medicine is a kind of medicine that looks at your entire body to figure out the best method of treatment. Osteopathic medicine has become quite popular, especially for people who have problems with muscle and joint pain. A lot of people insist that when you suffer from neck pain, an osteopath is one of your best resources. It is understandable, however, that if you haven’t ever visited an osteopath, that doing so might feel scary. Don’t worry-you have nothing to be scared of. Here is what you can expect to experience when you visit an osteopath for neck pain treatment:

The first part of your visit will be an exam that feels more like a visit to a “traditional” doctor. You’ll most likely give your complete medical history and also receive a physical examination. In many cases, your osteopath might order extra tests to help narrow down exactly why your neck is in pain. You might have an X-Ray taken to see if there is any physical damage to the vertebrae in your neck, but don’t be surprised if your osteopath pays attention to other parts of your body as well!

It is important to know that when you visit an osteopath for help with your neck pain, you should leave your “personal space” at home. Osteopathic treatment is hands on!

The osteopath you visit can use any or all of the following methods to treat your neck pain:

Counterstrain technique: this is where you are moved into a position that helps to restore the motion to any muscles that might have been restrained/strained.

Muscle Energy technique: Your osteopath gives you exercises that will start with your muscles in precise positions and follow with you moving those muscles in precise movements.

Soft Tissue technique: this is where your osteopath will apply pressure to the muscle areas around the spine. It can also involve deep pressure, rhythmic stretching and, in some cases, traction.

Thrust technique: your osteopath will use high velocity force to reintroduce movement to your joints or to get rid of any signs of muscle asymmetry, restricted movement, muscle tenderness or tissue changes.

If your osteopath deems it necessary, your neck pain might be treated with a low level laser or even acupuncture!

This might sound very scary but don’t worry-most people don’t experience any pain when they visit their osteopath for neck pain treatment. In fact, most people who visit osteopaths find their treatments to be relaxing and pleasant!

Some people confuse osteopaths and chiropractors and while the two professionals seem similar, they are very different. Chiropractors treat your joints and spine. Osteopaths, on the other hand, work to treat your entire body.