Hands-On Care for Back, Neck and Joint Pain
Osteopathic manipulative treatment, or OMT, uses a physician's hands to find where your body is stuck and help it move and heal again. Dr. Neil Spiegel, DO, MBA, has been practicing it for more than 35 years.
What Is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)?
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is hands-on care that improves how your muscles, joints and connective tissue move, eases pain and helps the body heal. At the Osteopathic Center for Healing in Rockville, MD, Dr. Neil Spiegel, DO, MBA uses OMT for back and neck pain, headaches, joint pain, sports injuries and posture problems, often alongside other pain treatments.
What Is Osteopathic Treatment?
A DO, or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, is a fully licensed physician with extra training in the muscles, bones, joints and connective tissue, and in how they affect the rest of the body. OMT is the hands-on part of that training. Using gentle pressure, stretching and movement, Dr. Spiegel finds areas that are tight, restricted or out of balance and helps them release, so blood flow, nerve function and motion can return to normal.
Pain in one place often starts somewhere else. OMT looks for where it begins.
The Body Works as One Unit
Everything Is Connected
Your body works as a whole, so pain in one area can come from strain somewhere else.
Structure Affects Function
When a joint or muscle can't move the way it should, the area around it suffers.
Your Body Can Heal
Treatment works by clearing what's in the way so your body can do what it's built to do.
When Do People Come to Us for OMT?
Dr. Spiegel looks at how you stand, move and carry tension, not just the spot that hurts.
Which Techniques Does Dr. Spiegel Use?
Every treatment is chosen for your body and what it can handle that day.
Soft Tissue Work
Gentle pressure, stretching and kneading to relax tight muscles and get blood moving.
Myofascial Release
Fascia is the thin connective tissue that wraps your muscles and organs. When it gets tight, it can pull on everything around it. Slow, steady pressure helps it let go.
Muscle Energy Technique
You gently push against light resistance from Dr. Spiegel, then relax. This retrains tight muscles and restores joint motion.
Counterstrain
Dr. Spiegel finds a tender point, then places your body in a comfortable position and holds it briefly so the muscle can release on its own. It's very gentle.
High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude (HVLA)
A quick, gentle, controlled thrust to restore motion to a stuck joint. You may hear a pop, and it's never forced.
Cranial Osteopathy
Very light touch to the head, neck and base of the spine. Many people find it deeply calming.
Lymphatic Techniques
Gentle, rhythmic movements that help fluid drain, to reduce swelling and congestion.
What Should You Expect?
Your First Visit
Dr. Spiegel takes your full history and listens to what's going on. He watches how you stand, walk and move, then uses his hands to feel for tight, tender or restricted areas, and explains what he finds.
During Treatment
You stay fully clothed on a treatment table. Dr. Spiegel uses the techniques that fit your body, checks in as he goes and adjusts if anything is uncomfortable.
After Treatment
Many people feel looser right away. It's normal to feel a little sore or tired for a day or two. Drink water, move gently and skip heavy exercise that day.
Follow-Up
Some people feel better after one or two visits. Long-standing problems usually need a series, and Dr. Spiegel will tell you what to expect.
Ready to Move Easier?
Who Is Dr. Neil Spiegel, DO, MBA?
Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and in Anti-Aging, Regenerative & Functional Medicine. Dr. Spiegel has spent more than 35 years using osteopathic care to help people get to the root of their pain.
What Do People Ask About Osteopathic Treatment?
Does OMT Hurt?
Most techniques are gentle. You might feel pressure or a stretch, and Dr. Spiegel always works within your comfort.
Will You Crack My Back?
Only if a technique like HVLA is right for you, and only with your OK. Many treatments use no quick movements at all.
What Should I Wear?
Comfortable clothes you can move in. You stay dressed.
How Many Visits Will I Need?
It depends on how long the problem has been there. Dr. Spiegel will build a plan with you.
Ready When You Are
Have questions about osteopathic treatment? We're happy to help. You can also see all of our pain management treatments.