Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment

OMT is a hands-on therapy that relieves pain, improves movement, and enhances overall body function. Gentle techniques are used to treat issues like back pain without relying only on medication. OMT integrates with other treatments for improved long-term outcomes, offering personalized pain relief and well-being.

Dr. Vijay Veerula Osteopathic Manipulation Infomation Mailer.png

At JPFM, We’ve Got Your Back … Literally!

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a hands-on therapy that alleviates pain, improves movement, and enhances body function. Dr. Vijay Veerula employs gentle techniques to address issues like back pain, complementing other treatments for personalized pain relief and better long-term results.

Types Of OMT

For Infants

Infants often experience tightness or dysfunction after birth, especially following long labors, fast deliveries, or cesarean sections. Even seemingly healthy newborns may show signs of oral, digestive, or nervous system imbalances.

OMT for infants can help with:

Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding challenges
Reflux, gas, or colic
Torticollis or head-turning preference
Tongue and lip tie tension (pre/post frenectomy)
Sleep disruptions or restlessness
Cranial asymmetry (flat spots or tight sutures)

OMT for babies is very gentle, often done while they’re being held, swaddled, or fed.

For Children

Growing bodies face their own set of challenges—from posture habits and sports injuries to sensory sensitivities and developmental transitions.

OMT for children can support:

Headaches or growing pains
Sinus congestion, allergies, or ear infections
Constipation or abdominal discomfort
Sleep issues, bedwetting, or anxiety
Jaw tension or orthodontic challenges
Recovery from injury or surgery

Treatment is always adapted to your child’s comfort level—playful, calming, and age-appropriate.

For Adults

Adults often carry years of accumulated strain, whether from old injuries, chronic stress, poor posture, or repetitive movement patterns. OMT offers a gentle, drug-free way to reduce pain and improve mobility.

OMT for adults may help with:

Back, neck, or joint pain
Headaches or TMJ dysfunction
Fatigue, stress, or nervous system dysregulation
Digestive concerns or pelvic floor tension
Recovery after injury or childbirth
Chronic tension and alignment issues

OMT is especially helpful when integrated into care for patients who prefer natural, holistic solutions to pain and imbalance.

Cranial osteopathy:

osteopathic therapy that involves gentle pressure on the head and spine. It is based on the idea that it can balance the nervous and immune systems. encourages healing, improves mobility, and stimulates the body's natural healing processes

Suboccipital release:

helps with headaches and migraines

Lymphatic pumping technique (LPT):

improves the immune defense against microbial infections

High-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) manual manipulation:

A technique that treats pain or loss of motion in a joint

Joint mobilization and muscle energy techniques:

helps with muscle soreness and joint pain

OMT for Frenectomy Aftercare (Tongue-Ties)

The Role of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) in Frenectomy Aftercare

- Supporting structure and function—beyond the release - Infants, Children, Adults-

Why Consider OMT After a Frenectomy?

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a gentle, hands-on therapy that addresses tightness and imbalances in the body’s musculoskeletal and fascial systems. After a tongue or lip tie release (frenectomy), OMT can help infants, children, and adults integrate new mobility and resolve compensatory patterns that developed before the procedure.

What OMT Can Support:

Releasing residual tension in the tongue, jaw, neck, and diaphragm
Improving oral motor function and range of motion
Enhancing feeding efficiency and reducing fatigue
Supporting cranial nerve balance and nervous system regulation
Addressing torticollis, reflux, and whole-body tension patterns

Does OMT Reduce Reattachment Risk?

While OMT is not a substitute for proper post-operative stretches, wound care, and feeding therapy, it is often used as a supportive tool. Clinically, we find that OMT may:

Improve healing outcomes
Reduce tension that can contribute to reattachment
Support integration of healthy sucking, swallowing, and breathing patterns

What the Research Says:

Although more large-scale studies are needed, small studies and clinical reviews support the use of OMT as part of an integrative care plan:

Hayden et al. (2019) – A case report series showed that OMT improved breastfeeding function and reduced somatic dysfunction in infants with tongue ties.
Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 2019; 119(9):604.
Rozzi & Nitsche (2022) – In a pilot observational study, infants receiving OMT after frenectomy had improved tongue range of motion and feeding scores.
[Journal of Clinical Pediatrics, 2022; doi:10.1177/00099228221101301]
García-López et al. (2020) – This review emphasized the role of OMT and craniosacral therapy in regulating the craniofacial system and autonomic tone in infants.
Healthcare (Basel), 2020; 8(4):457.

Our Approach at JPFM:

At Jefferson Pediatrics & Family Medicine, we take a whole-body, functional approach to tongue and lip tie care. We often recommend OMT as part of your child’s post-frenectomy recovery plan—especially when:

Feeding remains difficult after release
There are signs of muscular or fascial tightness
Your child shows head or body asymmetry, reflux, or birth tension

We usually recommend OMT be scheduled for a couple of days post-frenectomy. It’s particularly useful for infants with tongue-tie, feeding issues, and body dysregulation, especially after traumatic births.

We are excited to have Dr. Vijay Veerula offer this service in the office during your follow-up. He is dedicated to the research and improvement of frenectomy aftercare. Dr. Giridhar and Dr. Vijay collaborate to provide comprehensive frenectomy care for the local Fort Wayne community and surrounding areas!

What to Expect After OMT

Everyone responds differently, but you may notice:

Increased relaxation or fatigue
Mild soreness or body awareness
Digestive shifts (e.g., gurgling belly, increased bowel movements)
Emotional release or changes in mood
Improved sleep or restlessness for 24–48 hours

These effects typically resolve within 1–3 days. They are signs of your body adjusting and should not be a cause for concern.

How to Support the Healing Process at home:

🛌 Rest
Encourage restful movement and quiet time after the session. Avoid intense activity or overstimulation for the remainder of the day, especially for infants or young children.

💧 Hydrate
Continue to feed baby regularly with breastmilk (or formula), which offers comfort and helps flush metabolic waste, and supports tissue recovery. For children and adults, offer plenty of fluids throughout the day.

🚶‍♀️ Gentle Movement
Light stretching, walks, tummy time, or floor play are encouraged. For children and adults, we encourage similar gentle movement but skip sports or rigorous activity for 24 hours.

🧠 Observe
Note any changes in sleep, feeding, digestion, breathing, movement, or emotional state. Shifts—positive or surprising—are a natural part of osteopathic healing.

For Infants & Children

With OMT incorporated into your aftercare, you may see:

Improved latch, feeding, or digestion
More relaxed sleep
Easier tummy time or head-turning
Reduced congestion or reflux symptoms

Follow-Up

We recommend a recheck visit in 1–2 weeks to monitor healing and address any additional concerns. Call our office to schedule.

260-436-7722

You’re not alone—we’re here to support you through every step of your child’s healing journey.

The cost of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) can vary depending on insurance coverage and most insurances cover OMT when medically necessary. Most sessions cost around $100 out-of-pocket. We offer discounts when multiple sessions are needed. Please call our office to confirm insurance prior to scheduling.

Insurance

Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathic medicine emphasizes a holistic approach to healthcare. It focuses on the relationship between the body's systems and the importance of the musculoskeletal system in overall health. Osteopathic physicians (DOs) are trained to consider the whole person, not just specific symptoms, and often use hands-on techniques to diagnose and treat various conditions. This approach aims to promote the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Ask us about OMT

or Laser Therapy

for Chronic Pain!