Monday, July 15, 2024
Susanna W. began experiencing acute lower back pain six weeks postpartum after the
delivery of her daughter, Lily. After trying chiropractic care, massage therapy and
even being referred for an MRI, nothing seemed to bring relief until she was referred
by a friend to The r at Fort Worth鈥檚 clinic at HSC Health.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 sit for very long because my lower back was in so much pain,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so funny because so many people don鈥檛 know about OMM. Now I tell people it鈥檚 osteopathic magic medicine!鈥�
OMM is hands-on care to diagnose, treat and prevent illness or injury. Doctors work with patients to restore motion, increase symmetry and improve function of the body by using stretching, gentle pressure, and resistance to the muscles and joints.
鈥淲e often hear that people don鈥檛 know what OMM is or the full scope of what it can treat because it is a unique service line,鈥� said Kendi Hensel, DO, and clinical medical director of OMM. 鈥淲e have one of the largest academic OMM clinics in the country here at HSC Health, and it鈥檚 essential that we help people understand what OMM can do for patients in every stage of life, even right after birth.鈥�
This holistic approach to healing the body, focusing on the body鈥檚 systems and how they impact each other, means patients use less pain medication and heal faster.
鈥淭he chiropractor I had gone to said there was nothing wrong. I knew there was definitely something wrong with that area of my body, but she couldn鈥檛 see anything,鈥� said Susanna. 鈥淥MM is just more holistic. I felt like I received more complete care, and they were able to find the problem because they have a wider scope as DOs.鈥�
While OMM physicians treat a wide variety of illness and injury, Dr. Hensel specializes in caring for mothers and babies. Susanna said that she experienced relief after just one appointment with Hensel.
鈥淥bviously, it took a while to have complete relief, but even after that first appointment it was so much better,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he relief that I had was incredible, I鈥檓 just so thankful. I cried.鈥�
In addition to pre- and post-natal care, OMM can address everything from gastrointestinal complaints, headaches, scoliosis, fibromyalgia, post-op recovery, asthma, lymphedema, joint pain and much more.
鈥淚 felt prioritized every single time I came in,鈥� said Susanna. 鈥淚 felt like Dr. Hensel spent completely unrushed time with me. She would ask follow up questions and wasn鈥檛 just like running out the door. She鈥檚 friendly and professional, had lots of information, answered all my questions. I just think she鈥檚 the best.鈥�
Following her positive experience with OMM, Susanna made an appointment for four-month-old Lily. Lily had slight asymmetry of the face and head, and a minor lip tie. Lily was treated by OMM Fellow Stephen Fung, who has since joined the clinical practice upon completion of his fellowship.
Similar to her own experience, Susanna had also taken baby Lily to a chiropractor and lactation specialist prior to her OMM appointments. She was told that asymmetry of the face and head can be addressed with OMM early on while a child鈥檚 head is still moldable.
鈥淚 wanted to try something non-invasive since her lip tie wasn鈥檛 severe,鈥� said Susanna. 鈥淎fter two or three appointments, I could really tell a difference in her face. I can鈥檛 really describe it. Obviously, her face was changing because she was growing and getting older, but it was like her face was opening and softening instead of being so tight, and more even, so that was really encouraging.鈥�
The OMM clinic also offers a nursing room for mothers to use, which can be especially helpful to soothe infants after treatment. Beyond tongue ties and a flattened skull shape, OMM can treat swallowing and feeding difficulties in infants, torticollis, colic, and back pain in pregnancy or postpartum.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e looking for a non-invasive option for any type of pain, I feel like OMM is the first and best option to try,鈥� said Susanna. 鈥淚 was wondering if I would have to have surgery. I just scratched the surface of what OMM can do with my specific experience, but I know they can help with so many things. It鈥檚 the best first option to try if you鈥檙e in pain because the relief and the results that I got are unparalleled from anywhere else.鈥�
To schedule an appointment with HSC Health OMM clinic, please call 817-735-2235.
From - Patient Care by Kimberly Rossiter