What is OMT?

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a hands-on, evidence-based approach to healthcare used by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs). Through skilled manual techniques, OMT helps diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of medical conditions, especially those related to the musculoskeletal system.

If you're dealing with chronic pain, restricted mobility, or even stress-related tension, OMT may be a gentle and effective way to restore balance and promote healing—without medications or surgery.

What Does OMT Treat?

OMT is commonly used for:

• Low back pain

• Neck and shoulder pain

• Joint or muscle stiffness

• Sports injuries

• Headaches and migraines

• Sciatica and nerve entrapment

• Poor posture and mobility issues

OMT may also complement treatment plans for respiratory conditions, digestive disorders, and chronic fatigue.

What Happens During an OMT Session?

Your osteopathic physician will begin with a general screening, which may include:

Postural Exam & Osteopathic Screening

The doctor evaluates your posture and body alignment, identifying imbalances that may contribute to pain or dysfunction. The comprehensive Osteopathic Screening checks for soft tissue and joint mobility. Once the evaluation is complete, the physician uses a variety of hands-on techniques tailored to your needs.

Common OMT Techniques

I. Lumbosacral Spine - HVLA (High Velocity, Low Amplitude), Myofascial Release

II. Cervical Spine- Counterstrain, Soft Tissue, Articulatory Techniques

III. Extremities - Joint Mobilization, Myofascial Release, Muscle Energy

IV. Ribs & Thoracics - Rib Raising, Muscle Energy, Lymphatic Techniques

V. Head & Face - Craniosacral Therapy (especially headaches), Myofascial Release (TMJ)

Each technique helps release restrictions, improve motion, and support your body’s natural healing process.

How Is OMT Different from Chiropractic or Massage?

While chiropractic care often focuses on spinal alignment, and massage therapy targets muscle tension, OMT is a medical treatment performed by licensed physicians. DOs have comprehensive training in anatomy, pathology, and internal medicine, enabling them to integrate OMT with other conventional medical treatments.

Benefits of OMT

• Reduces pain and inflammation

• Improves mobility and range of motion

• Enhances circulation and lymphatic flow

• Supports overall wellness and body balance

• May reduce reliance on medications

Is OMT Right for You?

If you’re searching for natural, holistic relief for chronic pain or movement issues, OMT may be the answer. It’s safe for patients of all ages—from newborns to seniors—and can be customized for your individual needs.

OMT at Osso Concierge Care

Dr. Amir Mahajer and the team at Osso Health offer expert Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, combining clinical expertise with a personalized approach to care.

Schedule Your Consultation Today
www.osso.health
team@osso.health

Chronic Back Pain

Chronic low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention and miss work. But despite how widespread it is, many people still don’t understand what causes it—or how to treat it effectively.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the core principles every patient should know about managing chronic low back pain and why taking a whole-body approach matters.

What is Chronic Low Back Pain?

Chronic low back pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than 12 weeks. Unlike acute injuries, chronic pain is often multifactorial and can involve muscular, joint, disc, nerve, and even psychological components.

Common Causes

• Disc degeneration or herniation

• Facet joint arthritis

• SI (sacroiliac) joint dysfunction

• Poor posture or biomechanics

• Muscle deconditioning or imbalance

• Old injuries that never healed properly

It's More Than Just Anatomy

One important thing I explain to my patients is that pain is both a physical and neurological experience. The brain interprets signals from your body and can amplify them if you’re dealing with stress, poor sleep, or anxiety.

That’s why it’s important to treat the whole person—not just the MRI scan.

What Are Your Treatment Options?

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for chronic low back pain, but there are several evidence-based strategies I use in my practice:

I. Movement is Medicine

Gentle activity, walking, and physical therapy can restore function. Avoiding movement can actually make pain worse.

II. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)

As an osteopathic physician, I use OMT to improve alignment, reduce strain, and support healing. It’s a hands-on approach that works especially well for muscular and joint imbalances.

III. Injections and Abaltions

Targeted diagnostic / therapeutic procedures, like spinal joint or nerve blocks and even radiofrequency ablations (RFA), can reduce pain and improve mobility when used appropriately.

IV. Regenerative Medicine

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow-derived cell therapies can support tissue healing and are showing great promise for disc and joint-related pain.

V. Mind-Body Optimization

Chronic pain can be worsened by poor sleep, anxiety, and depression. Mindfulness, breathing exercises, and optimizing hormonal health can play a crucial role in long-term outcomes.

Bottom Line

If you're dealing with chronic low back pain, the answer is not always surgery or pills. The best approach is a comprehensive one that looks at posture, movement, inflammation, and even your nervous system.

At Osso Health, we specialize in helping patients optimize their health from the inside out with non-surgical, regenerative, and osteopathic solutions.

Schedule a Consultation:
Visit www.osso.health or email us at team@osso.health to learn more about your personalized care options.

Watch Dr. Mahajer’s Video

Physiatry First

Revolutionizing Rehabilitation and Pain Management

Why Physiatry Should Be Your First Choice for Musculoskeletal and Neurological Care

When faced with pain, injury, or mobility limitations, many patients are directed to surgery or long-term medication use as a first-line solution. However, there’s an alternative that focuses on maximizing function, minimizing pain, and avoiding unnecessary interventions—and that’s Physiatry First.

Physiatry, or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), is a patient-centered specialty that takes a holistic, non-surgical approach to treating a wide range of conditions, from sports injuries and spine disorders to stroke rehabilitation and chronic pain.

What is Physiatry First?

The Physiatry First movement promotes the idea that physiatrists should be the first point of contact for patients experiencing musculoskeletal, neurological, and pain-related conditions. Instead of jumping straight to surgery, opioid prescriptions, or passive treatments, physiatrists identify the root cause of dysfunction and create comprehensive rehabilitation plans tailored to the patient’s goals.

By emphasizing function, movement, and quality of life, Physiatry First offers a sustainable and evidence-based approach to care.

Conditions Best Treated by Physiatrists

Physiatrists specialize in diagnosing, managing, and rehabilitating a wide variety of conditions, including:

✔ Spine & Joint Pain – Chronic back pain, sciatica, arthritis, and degenerative disc disease
✔ Sports & Overuse Injuries – Tendinitis, ligament tears, muscle strains, and stress fractures
✔ Neurological Conditions – Stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury
✔ Chronic Pain Syndromes – Fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and post-surgical pain
✔ Work-Related & Occupational Injuries – Carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive stress injuries, and ergonomic dysfunction
✔ Post-Surgical Rehabilitation – Joint replacements, spinal surgery recovery, and soft tissue repair

How Physiatry First Improves Patient Outcomes

I. Reducing Unnecessary Surgeries

Many spinal conditions, joint disorders, and soft tissue injuries can be treated effectively without surgery using a combination of:

• Image-guided injections (PRP, corticosteroids, BMAC, etc.)

• Manual therapy & osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT)

• Physical therapy & movement retraining

• Regenerative medicine & non-invasive pain management

Surgery should be the last resort, not the first option. Physiatry explores all conservative treatment avenues first, helping many patients avoid the risks and recovery time associated with invasive procedures.

II. A Functional Approach to Healing

Unlike other specialties that focus only on symptom relief, physiatrists address the underlying cause of dysfunction and create treatment plans to restore strength, mobility, and independence.

Instead of simply prescribing medications or recommending passive treatments, Physiatry First emphasizes:
✔ Active rehabilitation – Targeted exercises and movement strategies tailored to the patient’s needs
✔ Comprehensive diagnostics – Electrodiagnostic testing (EMG/NCS), musculoskeletal ultrasound, and motion analysis
✔ Integrative care – A multi-disciplinary approach that may involve physical therapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists, and mental health professionals

III. Whole-Person Wellness & Longevity

Physiatry First isn’t just about injury recovery—it’s also about enhancing long-term health and function. Many physiatrists integrate wellness, longevity, and lifestyle medicine into their treatment plans, helping patients:
✔ Optimize posture, movement, and biomechanics
✔ Improve nutrition and inflammation control
✔ Manage stress and mental well-being
✔ Enhance sleep quality and recovery

By taking a proactive approach, physiatrists help prevent future injuries and chronic conditions, allowing patients to stay active, mobile, and pain-free for life.

Physiatry First: The Future of Non-Surgical Care

As the demand for minimally invasive, patient-centered care grows, Physiatry First is becoming a leading philosophy in musculoskeletal, pain, and neurological rehabilitation.

Patients deserve more options than just surgery or medications—they deserve a customized, holistic plan that prioritizes function and long-term well-being. That’s what Physiatry First is all about.

If you or someone you know is experiencing pain, injury, or movement limitations, consider seeing a physiatrist first. Your body will thank you.

Would you like help finding a physiatrist near you or learning more about non-surgical treatment options? Contact us today!