Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) or Treatment (OMT) is a holistic, whole-person, hands-on approach to pain and injury prevention that DOs (Doctors of Osteopathy) learn throughout medical school (& beyond) that distinguishes us from our MD colleagues. A number of techniques may be used to accomplish the same goal: to guide the body back to its natural state so it can heal itself. The body has the truly amazing innate ability to heal itself, and DOs are trained to facilitate the process by rebalancing the body with osteopathic techniques to re-establish healthy physiology!

Despite the >178,000 DOs and medical students in the U.S., only 6.1% practice OMM/OMT full-time. Therefore, it is a highly specialized field of medicine that is the epitome of the “art” of medicine.

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Cranial Osteopathy is a branch of OMM that can only be performed by DOs. In a treatment session, the Osteopathic Physician must be well-versed in the anatomy and physiology of the human body in order to listen and feel for the subtle movements of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, the trauma that has occurred (physically and emotionally), and compensations that have resulted.

Patients are asked to wear comfortable clothing in layers as well as a clean pair of socks since you may feel hot or cold during treatments as your body recalibrates and realigns.

No treatment session is the same, even for the same patient, as diagnoses and treatments are always based on how you present on that particular day. Treatment sessions are guided by your specific complaints and the dysfunctions found. Dr. Iris will use hands-on techniques to mobilize and rebalance every tissue and structure in the body from muscles, ligaments, and tendons to joints and fascia.

Neither OMM nor Cranial Osteopathy treatments should be painful. Most treatments are performed with you lying down on your back. There may be positions that are uncomfortable, but they should not cause significant pain. Iris Tian, DO, is a Physiatrist (aka Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician), which makes her an expert in the musculoskeletal system. She is highly trained in the sense of touch to evaluate for changes in muscle tension and tissue quality throughout the whole body. Only gentle pressure will be applied and nothing is ever forced. Occasionally, HVLA (high velocity, low amplitude) which is a direct technique that often results in a “pop/crack” may be applied but this is rare, on a case-by-case basis, and never applied to newborns/kids.

No, they may sound similar but are quite different. The main difference is that Cranial Osteopathy is ONLY performed by a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) whereas Craniosacral Therapy can be performed by anyone, including those without medical training or licenses.

Craniosacral Therapy is a highly simplified protocol derived from cranial osteopathic principles. There is no standardized training or certification for a craniosacral therapist. Some courses grant certification after only one 4-day course. Most craniosacral therapists are massage therapists, and therefore are not licensed medical professionals, while others are physical therapists or nurses who offer craniosacral therapy within their defined scope of practice.

DOs who specialize in Cranial Osteopathy or Osteopathy of the Cranial Field receive additional hours of training in medical school or residency focusing on techniques with an emphasis on the autonomic nervous system and the primary respiratory mechanism (PRM) – the inherent motion of the central nervous system, cerebrospinal fluid, the surrounding connective tissue, and its manifestations throughout the body.

Traditionally, chiropractic theory focuses on the proper alignment of the spine and the impact of the spinal nerves as it relates to the body. Therefore, treatment is mainly focused on the spine as the cause of “subluxations.”

In contrast, osteopathic medicine treats the whole person which means every part of the body is evaluated, including muscles, bones, connective tissue, and joints of the whole body, because of the effect on the blood vessels, lymphatics, and both peripheral and central nervous systems throughout the entire person, including the autonomic nervous system.

There are only 2 degrees that qualify a person to become a licensed physician in the United States: MD (Medical Doctor) and DO (Doctor of Osteopathy). Both go through extensive medical school/training in the full spectrum of medicine, from outpatient clinics to surgery, emergency medicine, critical care (ICU), cardiology, and other acute pathology. Because of this, even those who solely practice OMM are able to manage osteopathic treatments in patients with complex medical histories. DOs have a larger scope of knowledge and practice, so they are able to identify if/when a more extensive treatment regimen may be more appropriate (medications, surgery, further workup, and referral to a specific specialty, such as Rheumatology, Orthopedics, or Neurology) over purely osteopathic treatment or bodywork. This is essential for good patient care and safety.