What is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment? 
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is an all-encompassing evaluation of the body using specific techniques. OMT aims to provide a hand on, holistic approach to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of an injury or illness. Osteopathic medicine focuses on the interdependence of the body systems, emotions, mentality, and spirituality and understanding how the parts impact the whole and vice versa. When performing OMT, a physician will manipulate, or apply manual pressure to, specific muscles, tissue, and joints. OMT works with the inherent motions in the body to release restrictions and re-synchronize all elements of the body, resolving pain and dysfunction.  OMT provides patients with relief and, generally, resolution from pain, while encouraging self-healing of the body and an improvement in function and mobility. OMT can also be paired with certain medications or surgery to aid in a safer and stronger recovery. This full person approach is beneficial to the patient as it creates a comprehensive and effective treatment. 

Who Does OMT Benefit?
OMT can be beneficial to all ages, from infants to the elderly. OMT is specifically designed to be easily adjusted to meet the needs of each individual patient, regardless of their condition. There have been a wide variety of health problems, which will be discussed in further detail later, that OMT has been known to treat. These range from muscle pain to menstrual pain or asthma. 

Where to Receive OMT
OMT is practiced by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs). DOs are licensed physicians that have both traditional medical training and special hands-on training for techniques involving manipulation of the musculoskeletal system. DOs focus on utilizing a holistic approach when addressing any medical problems to help patients maintain peak health of the mind, body, and spirit. The combination of conventional medical training and OMT allows DOs to accomplish this goal. 

Specific Applications of OMT 
OMT can be used for a wide range of injuries and illnesses. Below are just a few of the many uses of OMT. This treatment is also beneficial to restore muscle balance, improve blood flow in the body, and relieve joint misalignment. OMT is also often used to address sports injuries or other chronic issues. 

Lower Back Pain 
Chronic lower back pain is a disability impacting millions of Americans each year. At any one point in time, it is estimated that 2% of the US population is disabled as a result of back issues. DOs use osteopathic techniques for spinal manipulation to relieve lower back pain. A controlled trial determined that compared to the control subjects, those that received OMT reported back greater improvement in the level of back pain and better functioning overtime. Another stratified analysis determined a decrease in pain when OMT was applied compared to a placebo or no treatment control group, in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Through OMT techniques, muscle tension decreases and joint movement is increased. Through palpation the underlying affected areas are determined, which allows DOs to relieve pain via kneading, applying pressure, stretching, and activating certain muscles.
During pregnancy, lower back pain is a common complaint that can impact daily activities and quality of life. OMT targeted for the lumbar region can be used to alleviate some of this back pain. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of women in their 3rd trimester of pregnancy the results indicated that OMT decreased back pain. While further research is needed in a clinical setting to determine the direct benefits of OMT, present research suggests that OMT creates positive results in patients. 

Migraines 
In the US, it has been reported that approximately 36 million Americans (18% of women and 6% of men) suffer from migraines. Migraines are recurring headaches that can cause a range of pain in either a throbbing or pulsing manner. Many times, conventional methods do not result in pain relief for those suffering from chronic migraines. OMT provides a non-invasive, low risk, holistic treatment for migraines. There are several ways that OMT can be applied to provide relief from migraines. One way is thought correcting somatic dysfunctions that are based on the head or neck region of the body. Manipulation of the fascia around cranial bones could provide relief, as the nervous and nervous tissue in their area faces fewer restrictions and gains function. It has also been theorized that OMT improves lymphatic flow, blood flow, and fluid drainage in the face, neck, and cranium which could result in increased oxygen and nutrients to these specific areas and relieve pain, as pressure decreases. By addressing issues that may result in headaches or migraine, such as sinusitis, OMT can be utilized to combat the root source of this pain. The aforementioned strategies of improving blood and lymphatic flow can reduce tension in the muscles of the head and neck, which are often the cause of tension headaches. A study conducted in 2011 determined that OMT as a migraine treatment produced decreased pain intensity and decreased the amount of time the migraine persisted when compared to a control which was not treated using osteopathic manipulation. 

Asthma 
Many pediatric patients have the chronic condition of asthma. OMT is used as a non-invasive treatment for pediatric patients. The therapeutic effects of OMT were shown in a randomized controlled trial, which showed statistical significance when comparing pediatric patients that participated in OMT and those that did not. OMT techniques are able to increase vital capacity in patients and increase rib cage mobility. By focusing on these areas of the body, these techniques can be used to increase the effectiveness of the respiratory cycle which in turn improves ability to breath. It is also important to note that the traditional treatment through pharmacological therapy does not take into consideration the musculoskeletal aspects of breathing, whereas OMT focuses on this component. 

​

At the Starsiak Osteopathic Clinic we are taking COVID very seriously. We are taking extra caution in keeping things sanitary and staying up to date with the governors orders and the ABMPs suggestions for a safe practice. As of right now the ABMP states there is no known way to eliminate the risk of transmission and infection and there is no risk- free environment in which to conduct business today. With that being said, here are some of the ways we are making sure we all stay safe while keeping the business open. 
All patients are to stay 6 feet apart, only one patient in the waiting area at a time, windows will be opened in between sessions for ventilation, hands thoroughly washed and sanitized up to the elbows before and after a massage, gloves can be worn if that feels safest to the client, minimal contact during check in and check out, all areas will be sanitized between patients. 
The only way to not get Coronavirus is to not be exposed, which means staying at home with 0 contact with anyone else. However, there are ways to protect your body and strengthen your immune system. One major thing that weakens the immune system is stress. This pandemic has definitely caused a lot of stress on our bodies. Some ways to get rid of stress are massage, yoga, meditation, supplements, etc. We offer massage, private yoga sessions, and many supplements that can help decrease stress and boost your immune system so that you can still enjoy life.

​

-   I think there is no doubt that if you are reading this you have experienced or do experience stress. Short term stress is normal and needed for our survival. Our bodies have systems in place to help us deal with stressors, physical and mental. 
    
   When our bodies experience stress our heart rate and blood pressure may increase, breathing speeds up, knots in our stomach appear, etc. While these defenses are great in the face of actual danger.. Do we really need to feel this way on a daily or weekly basis because of things like work, children, money, relationships? Chronic stress contributes to a multitude of health conditions including: anxiety, depression, heart disease, cancer, chronic fatigue, insomnia, adrenal dysfunction, and so much more. All of these cause more issues in your life and it is like a never ending stressful cycle. The APA’s Stress in America Survey findings show that stress is interfering with our ability to function and is becoming a public health crisis.
What if there was something that could help your body adapt to stress better? So that you can save the increased heart rate and panic for actual dangerous situations and feel more at ease with the everyday stresses of life..
   
   Guess what! There is. These plants are called adaptogens. I love these guys. “Adaptogen” defines herbs that help “protect the body against physical, mental, and emotional stress by strengthening the immune system” (Medicinal Herbs 61). These amazing plants strengthen the body and create a healthier stress response.
    
Some of the effects of adaptogens include:

• Better energy circulation
• Decreased stress
• Balanced hormone levels
• Fight fatigue
• Improved attention
• Improved energy levels
• Improved organ function like liver and adrenal glands
• Improved function of body systems like gastrointestinal system

In addition to adaptogenic properties, most adaptogens have other helpful effects.  Some of the common adaptogens stocked and used by Dr. Starsiak are:

• Ashwagandha- improves sexual desire and function, increased muscle strength, decreased body fat, decreases joint pain, improves rate of sleep onset
• Shatavari- anti yeast, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti- anxiety, protects liver, balances hormones, anti- diabetes, treats menopausal symptoms, improves menstrual symptoms
• Guduchi- rich in antioxidants that have anti-aging properties, treats diabetes, helps with UTIs, fevers, infections, and digestive disorders
• Tulsi- (aka Holy Basil) anti-anxiety, anti- inflammatory, combats respiratory ailments, relieves arthritis, helps with digestive disorders
• Shilajit- brain function, anemia, anti- viral, helps with chronic fatigue
• Kapikacchu- treats Parkinson’s, anti- anxiety, relieves fever
• Adrenal Nourish (Gotu kola and brahmi, ashwagandha)- promotes balanced energy levels and stamina, supports function of the adrenals, anti-anxiety, nourishing to the endocrine system.

If you would like to know more about how you can use Adaptogens, call us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Starsiak.


-Quinn

From how the media portrays drug use, to wrong knowledge  picked up here and there, it isn't hard to misunderstand addiction.  It's not a topic that's spoken of openly and frequently enough to really come to grips with it.
But, if you take a little bit of time to learn more about addiction and the reasons behind it, you can become more understanding and compassionate towards people suffering from it. 
To help you learn more about addiction, check out these common myths about why people take drugs that definitely aren't true. 
1. All Addicts First Started Taking Drugs to Get High
Despite what a lot of people think, not everyone who's addicted to drugs started taking them because they wanted to get high. In fact, doctors are prescribing very addictive medication every day. These are called opioids, and they're fueling a drug crisis in America.
In 2017, it was found that there were over 190 million opioid prescriptions. To put that in perspective, if everyone received a prescription, including children, over half of our population would be taking opioids. 
These opioids are so addictive that up to 12% of people taking them start abusing them.  By the way, 80% of heroin users started with an opioid prescription. It's a reason for using drugs that people often don't know about, but it's a huge problem in the US.
The problem here isn't with the addict, but with the medical industry. Make sure you know the signs of prescription drug abuse to keep your loved ones safe.

2. They Don't Want to Stop
The idea that addicts don't want to stop using or aren't trying hard enough is one of the most harmful myths out there. cOf course, there are some people who don't want to stop, but it definitely isn't always true.
The fact is that coming off of drugs is incredibly hard, even when you want to. This is because addiction changes the way a brain works. Over time, the brain and body become reliant on the drug to function close to normal. When you stop using it, everything in your body is shouting at you to start again.
Some withdrawal symptoms addiction sufferers have when coming off of drugs include:

• Intense nausea and vomiting
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Depression, anxiety, and other changes in mood
• Muscle aches and pains
• Diarrhea
• Hallucinations
• Intense craving for the drug
• Fast Heart rate
• Sweating
• Pupil dilation

Anyone that's seen an addict come off of drugs will know that it isn't easy and it's definitely not something they can just stop at will.

3. They Have a Bad Past
When people think of drug addicts, they often think of people with bad, troubled pasts. They imagine someone having grown up in poverty, from a broken home, and surrounded by other troubled people.
The truth is that addicts come from all walks of life and there's never a straight answer for why people use drugs. When people come in for addiction treatments, their pasts are all completely different from one another. They can be rich or poor, young or old; it doesn't matter. 
Drug addiction doesn't discriminate - that's the truth.
4. They Chose to Become Addicted
Although they may have chosen to take the drug in the first place - although that isn't always the case - no one really plans on becoming addicted. Why would they choose that?
The reality is that these drugs have a huge recreational appeal. From helping with social anxiety to relieving stress, there are tons of reasons why people might start using. But they're so highly addictive that before they know it, they're reliant on it.
People usually think they're in control, but the reality is that drugs take that control from them. The fact that even prescribed opioid users can become addicts is proof it's not as simple as a typical choice. 
Make sure to keep an eye for signs of drug use in men and women to make sure those around you aren't suffering. 

5. They Have Character Flaws
A lot of people think addiction is a character flaw, and that people with addictions are abnormal or outcasts. The truth is so far from that.  Everyone has some character flaws whether or not they have an addiction.
The National Institute of Alcohol and Alcoholism found that almost 20% of alcoholics lead functioning, normal lives. Drug users can have families, go out with friends, and have jobs. It's often when their addiction takes over that their lives begin to all apart, and the idea of character flaws is presented.
In reality, anyone can become an addict and it's not a character flaw, it's a disease.
6. Why People Take Drugs? They're Bored
A lot of people imagine that addiction begins when people are bored. They don't work and they have nothing better to do. Whilst boredom can be a cause, it's one of so many.
Here are just a few of the reasons why people do drugs:

• Succumbing to peer pressure
• To escape an unpleasant reality
• To relieve stress, anxiety, or other mental health problems

Usually, the main reason people start using drugs is down to one overriding point: to stop feeling bad. There's often an underlying issue, such as physical abuse, losing a job, or grieving for a loved one, which is the catalyst for drug abuse. They're suffering, and they turn to something to help them escape.
When addicts receive treatment, they often receive therapy too. There's a cause behind drug use that often runs deeper than we can see.
 Understanding why people take drugs is crucial to understanding anyone who might be suffering from an addiction. If you know someone with a substance abuse problem, make sure they get the help they need. 
Get in touch with our team to find out more about our addiction services. 

  Strong doctor-patient relationships significantly improve patient health outcomes. Positive relationships within primary care settings may be the most powerful of all. 
Yet an increasing percentage of American adults do not have a primary care provider. There are many reasons for this lapse, but one of the biggest factors is a simple lack of understanding of why primary care is important. 
Keep reading to learn why primary care matters and what it can do for you. 
What Is Primary Care?
Put simply, primary care is when you have a personal doctor who knows you and who is your go-to source for all your health care needs and concerns.
Where specialists focus on an area of the body or a technique, primary care doctors specialize in knowing their patients. Primary care providers (PCPs) are trained to:

• Perform general wellness checks 
• Diagnose conditions based on patient symptoms
• Prescribe medication or treatment for common ailments
• Help patients manage chronic conditions
• Provide health and lifestyle education
• Connect patients with specialists and support resources 

Instead of working out of hospitals, primary care doctors typically work within communities. They serve individuals and families and build healthy lives and neighborhoods. 
Who Should Seek Primary Care?
Ideally, everyone should have a primary care provider. Research consistently shows that adults with PCPs:

• Are healthier
• Experience a better quality of life
• Have lower rates of cancer, stroke, and heart disease
• Are less likely to be hospitalized for any cause
• Live longer
• Have lower overall health care costs

Tragically, about one-third of men and twenty percent of women do not have PCPs or access to crucial primary care services. 
Primary Care and Early Intervention
Primary care medicine is necessary for personal, community, and national health.  PCPs improve patient health outcomes in many ways. One of those ways is through early intervention. 

PCPs deliver routine care including annual physicals. These regular check-ins are important. They allow doctors to identify symptoms that might suggest the onset of serious conditions.

Testing and early intervention can head off health crises before they escalate. For example, a PCP may recognize that a patient is sugar sensitive. He or she may recommend simple diet and lifestyle changes.

Acting before patients develop full-blown diabetes can prevent decades of struggling. It can also prevent life-threatening health complications from ever occurring.

Patients without PCPs often do not get care until their conditions are advanced and hard to treat.   
PCP Relationships and Quality of Life Research shows that patients find tremendous comfort in having a doctor they know and trust. 
Patients are more likely to share the full details of their symptoms, conditions, and habits with providers they trust. This enables doctors to more accurately diagnose the sources of problems and to create treatment plans that genuinely work for patients. As a result, patients more consistently comply with those plans and see better results.
This means that in addition to the mental and emotional comfort a strong doctor-patient relationship provides, it pays very real dividends in patient health outcomes. Beyond that, it creates the foundation for more widespread gains in overall quality of life.   
Quality of Life
Primary care by definition includes health education. PCPs work with patients to create and build healthy lifestyles that allow them to live their lives to the fullest. For example, PCPs can assist patients with:

• Smoking cessation
• Substance use cessation or moderation
• Developing an appropriate and enjoyable exercise routine
• Making appropriate dietary choices

Continuity of Care
Continuity of care of a fancy way of saying that patients with PCPs get coordinated, cohesive attention. It is impossible to overstate the importance of this. 
Patients that visit specialists hit-and-miss to address concerns they can't ignore often:

• Receive expensive testing more often than necessary because results are not shared
• Get conflicting advice from different practitioners
• Are prescribed dangerous combinations of medications or treatments because each prescriber is unaware of what the others are doing 

Primary care providers, by contrast, coordinate patient care. They work with other practitioners to ensure that information is shared and that treatments and medications are safe together and appropriate for the patient. They remove the burden of tracking, evaluating, and communicating treatments and needs from patients. 
Cost Savings.  Studies show that primary care services reduce patients' health care costs. This is largely attributable to PCP's ability to help patients catch and treat conditions while they are small and simple to address. 
It also reflects the fact that patients without PCPs must often resort to emergency rooms and other costly sources for all of their care needs. Primary care providers, by contrast, can offer quick and affordable care for non-emergency needs. 
Specifically, seeing a PCP for non-emergency care is three to seven times less expensive. Working with a PCP can save patients an average of 33 percent on their health care costs annually. Increased use of PCPs nationwide could save the United States up to $67 billion annually.  
Most primary care services are covered in whole or in part under even basic health insurance plans. 
Primary Care and Chronic Conditions One of the most overlooked primary care specialties is PCPs' ability to help patients manage chronic conditions.
Chronic conditions are epidemic in the modern world. While their commonality makes them easy to take for granted, their effects can be crippling. PCPs play a key role in helping patients manage these conditions and limit their negative impacts on quality of life. 
PCPs can provide:  

• Regular visits and testing to monitor symptoms
• Informed, personalized treatment plans
• Support and education
• Low-cost interventions during flare-ups
• Information on new treatment options as they become available

Finding a Primary Care Provider
​Given the vital role that primary care providers play in health, it is important to choose your provider wisely. Let Indianapolis's leading PCP introduce you to everything primary care has to offer, today.