Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine and Treatment

Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex

At MindForge Psychiatry, I understand that body health is brain health. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a helpful tool in my holistic care approach; this uses hands-on techniques to alleviate pain, enhance well-being, and restore balance in your body systems.

The gentle manipulation of muscles, joints, and tissues not only improves circulation and catalyzes the body's innate healing processes but also reduces symptoms of stress and anxiety. Tailored for everyone from high-performing professionals to women facing the stress of balancing a busy family life, OMT can be crafted into your personalized treatment plan, aligning your physical structure and function to achieve peak mental and physical health.

  • A D.O. is a fully licensed physician who practices a unique whole-person approach to healthcare. We also receive additional training in the neuromusculoskeletal system. This training equips us with a distinct understanding of how the body’s systems are interconnected and how each one affects the others. A key tool of osteopathic medicine is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)—the use of hands-on techniques to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury.  OMT can be used to balance the body’s innate systems of function and healing.

  • Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) and chiropractic care both utilize hands-on techniques to enhance health, but their applications and training differ. D.O.s, or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, are fully licensed physicians who integrate OMT with comprehensive medical treatments, allowing them to address a wider array of health issues holistically. They apply OMT to optimize bodily function, help diagnose, and complement other medical interventions. Chiropractors primarily focus on spinal and joint alignment to improve nerve function and overall health, often incorporating holistic approaches to promote wellness. Both professions value holistic care but differ in the approach to medical training and the scope of their practice.

  • I'm an Osteopathic Psychiatrist to be exact. I did four years in training in Osteopathic Medicine and four years in Psychiatry. As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) I received extensive training and licensure testing in OMT and Osteopathic Theory. I enjoyed OMT so much I nearly chose a specialty just focused on the musculoskeletal system; but I fell in love with learning about the brain, mind and peoples' life stories- which also led me to Psychiatry.

OMT and Mental Health

OMT can be a valuable holistic component to aid in overall wellness and complement the treatment of psychiatric conditions, particularly those exacerbated by physical discomfort and tied to other body symptoms. Also, OMT can be used to promote health in other ways by getting your bodily systems back into balance. For example by helping adjust the nervous system if it is imbalanced by stress or anxiety, or promoting circulation to help aid healing and reduce inflammation. 

  • Techniques such as myofascial release, cranial osteopathy, and lymphatic pump treatments help alleviate the physical symptoms of stress, such as muscle tension and fatigue, promoting greater relaxation and improved sleep.  Lymphatic pump techniques can improve lymphatic drainage; the lymphatic system is a key player in removing toxins from the body and of a healthy functioning immune system.  Some individuals have an inflammatory component to their chronic health conditions and or depression and this can contribute to mental health difficulties.

  •  Techniques that focus on restoring sympathetic/parasympathetic balance by targeting regions of the body that modulate the autonomic nervous system, for instance, can help with relaxation, increase heart rate variability and promote a more-balanced stress response.

  • By correcting imbalances in the neuromusculoskeletal system, circulatory and lymphatic system, OMT helps restore the body’s natural ability to regulate and heal itself.  This can contribute to overall physical and mental wellness.  How one treats the body they also treat the brain (it is an organ and all part of one system afterall).

  •  Many conditions linked with psychiatric disorders, such as headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and chronic muscle tension, can be effectively managed with OMT. These treatments not only improve the primary condition but also enhance overall mental health by reducing pain and discomfort.

Techniques Used in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine and Treatment

  • Gentle manipulations of your muscles and connective tissues to enhance circulation and relieve tension in the body. This helps to reduce pain, improve mobility, and facilitate your body’s natural healing processes. By addressing areas of tightness and discomfort, these techniques not only help alleviate direct symptoms of muscular strain but also contribute to overall relaxation and stress reduction.

  • A gentle technique that targets the craniosacral system—encompassing the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This method focuses on enhancing the subtle movements within the cranial sutures and dural attachments, which are not rigid but allow for minor, rhythmic motions essential for maintaining central nervous system balance. By fine-tuning these movements, craniosacral therapy can help alleviate tension, reduce stress and fatigue, improve sleep, and enhance overall resilience to disease. It is particularly beneficial in soothing the central nervous system, aiding in the management of anxiety, and can accompany a profound sense of calm and mental clarity after sessions.

  • A therapeutic technique that targets points of muscle and joint discomfort. It works by identifying tender points and then gently repositioning the body to a state of comfort and ease. This adjustment decreases abnormal neuromuscular reflexes and calms the pain reflex, effectively reducing discomfort. The technique enhances circulation and promotes relaxation, facilitating the body's natural healing process and contributing to overall well-being. This method is especially effective in alleviating acute muscular and joint pain, improving range of motion, and enhancing recovery.

  • Involve the patient actively using their muscles on request in specific directions against a distinctly controlled counterforce applied by the practitioner. This method is used to strengthen weakened muscles, stretch tight muscles and fascia, mobilize restricted joints, and improve local circulation, which can help promote homeostasis, and reduce pain.

  • Used to correct misalignments and relieve joint restrictions, improving body mechanics and reducing physical stressors that may exacerbate mental health conditions. (please note I do not do HVLA in particular on the neck given the risk of vertebral artery dissection-- there are many other effective treatments for this region I can use).

  • Focuses on releasing tension in the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, to ease pain and improve mobility. This technique is particularly effective for patients experiencing chronic pain conditions, for example Fibromyalgia, which can often impact their mental health.

  • Enhance the circulation of lymphatic fluids, which may help detoxify the body, boost the immune system, and reduce swelling. These techniques are beneficial for patients who experience physical symptoms related to anxiety and stress or an inflammatory presentation with depression.

How It Works

I offer both in-person appointments at the Davis Boulevard office and in-home appointments if you live within approximately ten miles from Keller, Texas (additional fee of $250). Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy can be added to psychiatric services as part of a whole-person approach to wellness or to help treat conditions commonly associated with depression and anxiety (for instance to help relieve tension headaches, reduce IBS discomfort, promote balance in a stressed nervous system, or increase circulation and reduce inflammation through lymphatic and soft tissue work); please click here for more information on the basic fees and for more info about the integrative psychiatric services.  

  • Just one example of how OMT can be combined with psychiatric services: (One Hour Follow-Up Visit | $425*) - The first part of the visit is designed to manage and adjust medications, ensuring optimal treatment efficacy. This can then be transitioned to the next part by a breathwork/mindfulness-based practice and then onto OMT. This option is designed to target both mental and physical health needs, ensuring a holistic approach to your wellness. 

*Note: $395 if booked weekly or biweekly.


Preparing for Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT):

Before your session:

  • Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to allow ease of movement.

  • Hydrate well and avoid heavy meals just before your appointment.

  • Bring any relevant medical records or notes that may help in your treatment.

  • Tell me if you have any history of surgery or injuries .

  • Tell me if you are currently suspected of, or undergoing treatment for cancer.

During your session:

  • Expect gentle, hands-on manipulation of your muscles, joints, and tissues.

  • Communicate openly about any discomfort or concerns as they arise.

After your session:

  • Drink plenty of water to help flush out toxins released during treatment.

  • You may experience mild soreness or fatigue—this is normal and should subside within a day or two.

What to Expect:

  • Many patients report feeling immediate relief and increased ease of movement after their first session.

  • OMT is a progressive treatment; subsequent sessions may be necessary to fully address your concerns and support your body’s natural healing processes.