Using Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine to Relieve Pain

Using Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine to Relieve Pain

Aug 17, 2018

Anyone dealing with chronic pain on a day-to-day basis knows just how frustrating it can be finding a treatment plan that provides relief. And, when one medication doesn’t work, it can take months to see if a new medication improves your symptoms or just brings on new ones. 

If you’re open to trying new treatments to supplement your current plan, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) may be an option for you. Medical doctors with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) can perform OMM.  They pay close attention to how the body’s systems are interconnected and how each one affects the others.  It can complement, or in some cases even replace, medications or surgery in patients with chronic pain due to conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, or migraines. Other common conditions that may benefit from OMM include:

  • Back, neck or shoulder pain
  • Sports injuries
  • Pregnancy related musculoskeletal complaints
  • Ear and sinus disorders

OMM is available to people of all ages. Most techniques are well-tolerated. A session typically lasts 20 to 40 minutes, and your D.O. may show you some stretches to perform at home between treatments. Some of the techniques your D.O. may use include:

Soft tissue: This approach is the stretching of muscles through applied pressure. 

Muscle energy: Your D.O. will move your muscles in one direction, and you’ll be directed to apply a counter-force in the opposite direction. 

Myofascial release: Fascia is a layer of connective tissue that surrounds your bones, muscles and organs. Firm pressure on your fascia may help ease pain. 

Osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine: Patients who experience regular migraines or tension headaches could benefit from soft pressure applied to the skull to stimulate healing. 

OMM has been clinically proven to ease pain, promote healing and increase overall mobility. If you’re interested in seeing if OMM could be a part of your treatment plan, schedule an appointment with Dr. Yang-Novellino at one of our primary care locations below.


Inspira Medical Group Primary Care Haddon Township
400 West Cuthbert Boulevard
Haddon Township, NJ 08108
Get Directions
Phone: (856) 559-4277

Inspira Medical Group Primary Care Washington Township
372 Egg Harbor Road Suite A
Sewell, NJ 08080
Get Directions
Phone: (856) 218-5899

Topics: Health and Wellness, Primary Care

News From Inspira

View All News
A man reading with his child on a couch
A woman suffering from gastrointestinal issues
Common GI Conditions and How They are Treated

Gastrointestinal disorders can be difficult to talk about. With a broad range of symptoms impacting your digestive tract including persistent diarrhea, urgent need to move bowels, constipation, excess gas, cramps and bloating, it’s not something people want to necessarily scream from the rooftops.

Read More
An Inspira doctor educating a woman on Hormone Replacement
The Pros and Cons of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Menopause is defined as the point when a woman’s menstrual cycles permanently cease. The average age for women to hit menopause in the U.S. is 51 years old, but some women begin experiencing menopause-like symptoms in their 40s during a transitional period called perimenopause.

Read More