08 Jul What is the Osteopathic Psychosomatic Technique (OPT)?
Osteopathic Psychosomatic Techniques are manual therapy methods used by some manual osteopaths that aim to address the interconnection between the mind (psyche) and body (soma). These techniques are based on the belief that emotional stress, mental trauma, or unresolved psychological conflicts can manifest as physical tension, pain, or dysfunction in the body—and vice versa.
Key Concepts:
Mind-Body Connection: Emotional states like anxiety, grief, anger, or trauma may cause physical symptoms such as chronic pain, muscle tension, fatigue, or gastrointestinal problems.
Somatic Memory: The idea that the body “remembers” trauma or emotional stress in muscles, fascia, or joints.
Manual Release: Through gentle hands-on techniques, manual osteopaths aim to release these stored tensions to promote emotional and physical healing.
Techniques May Include:
-Cranial osteopathy to calm the nervous system.
-Myofascial release of areas linked to emotional trauma.
-Visceral manipulation for stress-related organ tension (like stomach or liver).
-Dialoguing during treatment, where a practitioner may ask the patient to recall or reflect on emotions while working on tension points.
-Breath and body awareness techniques.
Applications:
-Chronic pain with no clear structural cause
-PTSD or anxiety-related physical symptoms
-Psychosomatic disorders (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia)
-Patients who feel “stuck” emotionally or physically despite other treatments
These techniques are not psychotherapy, but can be complementary to mental health therapy. The goal is to restore harmony between mind and body by treating both as part of a unified system.
National Academy of Osteopathy is the only school in Canada teaching osteopathic psychosomatic techniques as part of its diploma program.