http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=222x83760Oh my.
Dover (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 02:35 PM
THE WHITE CLIFFS PRIMITIVE
Original message
Your experience with Osteopathic Medicine? My first time...
I recently had my first experience with an osteopathic doctor. I had a painful 'kink' and pain in my upper back and neck which just would not let go or go away even with stretches and massage. So I was thumbing through the yellow pages and saw a listing for an osteopath. I wasn't really sure what that meant but for some reason was drawn to it and made an appointment. I guess I thought I might get an adjustment (similar to a chiropractor), but perhaps with a more holistic approach.
I'm open to 'energetic and holistic medicine' in general having had excellent experiences with acupuncture, body therapies, etc. So this was not some big stretch for me to try it. I had my treatment a few days ago and am still assessing the results. But I can tell you that I am, for the most part, pain free right now and hoping it will continue. I'm trying to decide if I want to continue with a few more sessions to get the full effect of what this osteopath can offer. I know from experience with acupuncture that some ailments take longer to correct than others, so it's not always instantaneous.
This doctor was very gentle and found some intensely painful places that didn't seem immediately related to my initial area of pain, but were instead related to an old injury to my arm. It became very clear that there was still some healing left to work on relative to that injury. Ouch! I'm not that clear about this doctor's process but it felt very intuitive and accurate, and was gently manipulative of some areas particularly in my neck.
Holistic treatments, by their nature, are not easily defined which, I know, is hard for some to accept, but is why they are as much an art as a science
Anyway, I'm now very curious about other people's experiences. I know that much depends on the doctor and the set of skills and experience he/she brings to it, which can vary quite a bit.
What I'm NOT interested in is hearing people's opinions who have NOT tried this.
Bold area above as done by the White Cliffs primitive, not by franksolich.
MineralMan (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 02:43 PM
Response to Original message
1. You already have one thread asking this question.
Not liking the answers you got there is not cause to start a new thread.
Orthopathy is a thoroughly discredited theory. The person who treated you is not a physician. You can go to him/her if you wish, but it's just woo. "Natural Hygiene," of which this is an offshoot, is also woo. Orthopathy was originated in 1820, discredited not too long after that, and is now "rediscovered," much like homeopathy. It's bogus, quackery, and will simply sap your funds.
You'll get the same answer, no matter how many times you post this. I gave you some links in your other thread. Have you read them?
I dunno; I suspect it varies from state-to-state, but the Nebraska Board of Medical Examiners tests and licenses three sorts of physicians: M.D.s, medical doctors, O.D.s, osteopathic doctors, and D.O.s, doctors of osteopathy.
I imagine they're all okay; it all depends upon what sort of medical treatment one is seeking. I'm mellow about it; it's not an issue I could get worked up over.
DesertFlower (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 02:50 PM
Response to Original message
2. well i haven't had orthopathy, [sic!] but i had a rolfer for years who helped me -- especially with my scoliosis. there seems to be a similarity in how they work.
Dover (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 02:55 PM
THE WHITE CLIFFS PRIMITIVE
Response to Reply #2
12. I never tried rolfing, but those who have told me it involves very deep and often painful massage/adjustments. What I experienced was very gentle, but he would find areas that were raging hot and would do something more akin energetic touch, which would focus on that point for a period of time (several minutes).
DesertFlower (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 03:10 PM
Response to Reply #12
15. my first rolfing experience was painful, but the rolfer i've been going to for almost 20 years is very gentle.
i would not rule out seeing an orthopath. [sic!] i've been using alternative doctors and methods since the early 80s.
if it's working for you, then i think you should stick with it.
Dover (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 03:24 PM
THE WHITE CLIFFS PRIMITIVE
Response to Reply #15
17. Osteopath. Osteopath. Osteopath.
That's what I meant to say. Not orthopath. Don't even know why that word was in my head. Sorry.
I'm so glad you found someone who works for you. That's really what it's all
about....finding the doctor/treatment that feels right. I think sometimes people are quick to condemn a particular medical discipline because the doctor was not up to snuff. It might be helpful if there was some kind of
'Consumer Report' publication for assessing doctors, although it really is such a personal choice.
Something stuck with me that one friend told me about a particularly
painful experience he had with rolfing. He said that the intense pain was not a release for him, but sent the pain it deeper into hiding. His body responded defensively as though it were under attack.
DesertFlower (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 03:49 PM
Response to Reply #17
19. my doctor is a DO -- doctor of osteopathy. he's worked on me many times. unfortunately he just retired. i've been his patient for 19 years. he's almost 79. he offered chelation, IV vitamins and minerals and IV hydrogen peroxide. he also practiced traditional medicine. if you needed a drug he gave it to you.
i'm looking for a new primary care doc right now, but i'll never find one like him.
Dover (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 04:00 PM
THE WHITE CLIFFS PRIMITIVE
Response to Reply #19
20. Oh! Well there ya go....an osteopath.
The one I visited has a different experience/training which I don't think includes rolfing. I'm going to ask him what his influences and training were. One thing he did make clear is that he does not dispense drugs which is fine by me. He said he used to and was not comfortable with it.
I hope you find someone who can offer the help you need. It is so difficult to lose the good ones. And in your case that's a lot of history you've shared with him!
Sanity Claws (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 02:52 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. Did you mean osteopath?
I've never heard of orthopath.
MineralMan (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 02:52 PM
Response to Reply #4
6. It's a new/old designation in the naturopathetic spectrum.
Pure woo. Most likely, its practitioners went to some massage school, paid for some additional courses, and now has a nice certificate they use to bilk people out of money.
There's not even very much on this on the internet, so it's probably a new "specialty."
Dover (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 03:03 PM
THE WHITE CLIFFS PRIMITIVE
Response to Reply #4
14. YES that's what I meant.....my bad. Osteopath.
I've gone back to the OP and inserted the proper term where needed.
Thanks for pointing out my mistake.
MineralMan (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 02:52 PM
Response to Reply #3
5. Orthopathic Medicine?
Another brand of woo. If you feel the need for such things, at the very least consult with a reputable chiropractor or osteopathic doctor.
Just because something is "alternative medicine" does not mean it is valid, nor are its practitioners properly trained or even knowledgeable.
MineralMan (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 02:52 PM
Response to Reply #3
7. Here's a bit of information. It's an outdated theory of disease that hasn't been taught for many, many years. Apparently someone has revived it. I'm looking further into it:
http://colemanhealthandlifestylecenter.com/index_files/...
MineralMan (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 02:52 PM
Response to Reply #7
8. More information at Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopathy
EvolveOrConvolve (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 02:52 PM
Response to Reply #3
10. What did your treatment consist of?
Was it a like a massage, or more of an "assessment" therapy that provided nutritional and lifestyle recommendations?
Dover (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 03:37 PM
THE WHITE CLIFFS PRIMITIVE
Response to Reply #10
18. Well I filled out pages and pages of info about my physical history as well as current issues. We didn't talk about nutrition or lifestyle changes in this session. I'm not sure if there is a'typical' way he works. I got the feeling it was very specific to the person he was treating.
In my case we talked a bit about earlier injuries and he would ocassionally ask questions as he would touch certain areas. When he pressed on a particularly painful place he might instruct me to breathe into it, but not always. Some places brought up old emotions which I expressed as well. Sometimes he would hold my arm or head in a particular position for awhile and at other times he seemed to be adjusting or working muscle/bone in gentle way.
I definitely feel a lot of it was energetic/intuitive work. But I've only been the one time so it's really difficult to say much about how he works in general.
Dover (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 02:53 PM
THE WHITE CLIFFS PRIMITIVE
Response to Original message
11. Dupe post - please go to >>>
This thread has been combined with another thread.
Click here to read this message in its new location.
WhiteTara (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 03:03 PM
Response to Original message
13. I had a similar experience with a physical therapist
He worked in a way that really helped me. He used his elbow and worked into specific areas of muscle. Recently he earned his PHD and is writing a book about how to work with chronic pain in this way. I dislocated my toe and he put it back in place through touch. I really miss him as I moved and don't have him anymore. I'll look for orthopaths to see if there might be another healer like him in my area.
Dover (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 03:12 PM
THE WHITE CLIFFS PRIMITIVE
Response to Reply #13
16. Sorry. Don't know why "orthopathic" got stuck in my head. I meant OSTEOpathic as someone pointed out. D'OH! Maybe I need a doctor to straighten out my head!
Anyway, when you find a good doctor (of any discipline) they are such a precious gift. Hope you're able to find someone new. I found this one in a very random way. I usually count on word of mouth. But I'm glad I did it and perhaps he'll be one of those diamonds in the rough.
We'll see.
MineralMan (1000+ posts) Sat Mar-06-10 04:09 PM
Response to Reply #16
21. Sorry, then, about my replies. I tend to go with what's in the post. I'm afraid I can't anticipate later edits.
You know, franksolich has got no dog in this osteopathic fight, either pro or con.
Whatever works, fine.
But the mineral oil primitive seems obsessed with proving osteopathy wrong; just really stridently, vociferously, belligerantly, obsessed.
It's kind of like the way those leaning towards the theory of evolution treat those leaning towards some other theory of human development; rather than simply arguing in a reasoned, dispassionate manner, they're obsessed with crushing, obliterating, the opposing point of view.
I suspect that speaks volumes.
