Discover Whole-Body Healing: The Power of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at PIM
By Dr. Jennifer Patterson, DO, MMH, CHt
Are you someone who often feels stuck in “fight or flight” mode, with stress and tension stored in your body? Do you find yourself constantly aware of your surroundings due to past experiences? Does your nervous system need support because you feel on edge?
If any of this resonates, you’re not alone, and there are ways to help your body and mind find balance again. At Philadelphia Integrative Medicine (PIM), we offer Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) to support you in releasing stored tension, helping your nervous system regulate more effectively, and reconnecting with your body’s natural rhythm.
OMM is grounded in the principles of osteopathic medicine, viewing the body as a connected unit encompassing mind, body, and spirit. During each appointment, I, Dr. Patterson, work with you to assess physical responses and identify areas where your body holds stress. With a gentle, hands-on approach, we address the areas that need support, customizing each session to meet your unique health needs and goals.
What Is Osteopathic Medicine?
Osteopathic medicine rests on four foundational principles:
The body is a unified entity, comprising body, mind, and spirit.
It has the natural ability to self-regulate, heal, and maintain health.
Structure and function are closely interrelated.
Effective treatment relies on integrating these principles with care and intention.
What Does This Look Like in Practice?
During an OMM appointment, we take a comprehensive look at your body’s structure and movement, identifying restrictions impacting your health. Through targeted techniques, I help your body release stored tension and restore balance. This process includes evaluating your nervous system’s state—especially the balance between “fight or flight” (sympathetic) and “rest and restore” (parasympathetic) responses.
Many patients are familiar with the vagus nerve’s role in calming the nervous system and may already use practices like deep breathing or humming to support it. My approach takes this further by physically assessing where your body holds tension and using targeted techniques to release it, fostering a stronger, more resilient stress response.
Integrating functional medicine, I may also recommend adaptogenic herbs, lifestyle adjustments, or nutritional guidance to complement the hands-on work and promote balance in your system. With each appointment, I may suggest breathing practices to support your nervous system and guide you in experiencing dynamic movement within your body, encouraging a connected and balanced state.
What Happens During an OMM Appointment?
OMM appointments at PIM are 60 minutes long, giving us ample time to review your health history and conduct a thorough assessment. For new patients, we start by reviewing your health background and observing how you move, walk, and stand to identify patterns that reveal how your body holds and responds to tension.
In the hands-on portion, we begin with a gentle assessment starting from your feet, regardless of your primary concern, because restrictions can arise anywhere. This allows me to identify areas that move freely versus those holding onto tension. For example, I often focus on the abdominal diaphragm, as it’s essential for effective breathing and overall function.
Even if you’ve come in with a targeted concern, like a headache or shoulder pain, I start at your feet and work my way up, using gentle techniques to engage in a “conversation” with your body. This includes both active and passive movements, like gently guiding your limbs or adding light resistance to assess areas of tension.
One key aspect of osteopathic care is that structure and function are interdependent. Our bodies are shaped by physical experiences, habits, and patterns of motion, which also influence our mental and emotional states. By addressing physical restrictions, we create space for optimal movement and ease, enhancing overall well-being.
Supporting Mind-Body Health and Nervous System Balance
For individuals dealing with chronic stress or conditions affecting the nervous system, such as Lyme disease, inflammation, or trauma, OMM can be a powerful tool for restoring calm and supporting healing. Through specific techniques, we can help shift your nervous system from “fight or flight” to a state of relaxation, reconnecting your body and mind to promote health.
Many manifestations of stress and functional barriers are experienced as issues such as migraines, back pain, TMJ, and IBS, particularly when it relates to the gut-brain axis. I use a combination of modalities within osteopathy to treat these concerns, working to alleviate both the physical and energetic impacts on the body.
What to Expect After Treatment
After an OMM session, you may feel relaxed or notice subtle shifts in your body’s comfort and mobility. Many patients report improved sleep and lower stress levels, as the gentle treatment continues to support balance. Staying hydrated with water, electrolytes, or bone broth is helpful, as fluid shifts often occur within the body post-treatment.
How Often Should You Schedule OMM Appointments?
Frequency depends on your body’s needs. I typically recommend follow-up appointments in 4 weeks, gradually spacing them out as your body adapts. Eventually, you may move to a maintenance schedule, coming in seasonally or as needed. Patients usually get a sense of when they need additional support.
Who Can Benefit from OMM?
OMM is suitable for everyone, from newborns to older adults, athletes to stressed executives. If you’re looking to reconnect with your body, release tension, and support your body’s natural healing process, OMM at PIM could be a valuable tool for you.
I look forward to supporting you on your health journey here at PIM!
Be well,
Dr. Patterson