Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic Manipulation — Hands-On Healing from Your Primary Care Doctor
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a hands-on technique used to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal dysfunction. At Dunn Family Medicine, it's performed by board-certified osteopathic physicians — and it's included in your DPC membership.
What Is Osteopathic Manipulation?
Osteopathic medicine is built on the principle that the body's structure and function are deeply interconnected. When muscles, joints, and connective tissue are restricted or out of alignment, it can affect not just local pain but overall health and function.
OMT uses gentle, targeted manual techniques to restore mobility, reduce tension, and support the body's natural healing processes. Techniques range from soft tissue work and gentle stretching to more specific joint mobilization — always tailored to the patient's needs and comfort.
What makes OMT at Dunn Family Medicine different is context. Dr. Angela Dunn is a board-certified osteopathic physician — she's not just treating a painful joint, she's considering how it fits into your overall health picture.
OMT is included in DPC membership and is also available to non-members. Patients come from Steilacoom, Lakewood, DuPont, University Place, and across the Tacoma area seeking this specialized hands-on care.
Conditions Treated with OMT
- Low back pain and sciatica
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches and migraines
- Shoulder, hip, and joint pain
- Sports injuries and post-injury recovery
- Postural imbalances
- Rib pain and chest tightness
- Sinus congestion and ear problems
- Pregnancy-related musculoskeletal discomfort
What to Expect at an OMT Visit
Structural assessment
Your physician will assess your posture, range of motion, and areas of restriction or tenderness. This informs which techniques will be most effective for your situation.
Hands-on treatment
OMT is performed on a treatment table. Techniques are gentle and targeted — most patients find it comfortable, and many notice relief during or immediately after the session.
Integrated follow-up
OMT is often most effective as part of an ongoing care plan. We'll discuss how it fits with your other treatments and how frequently it makes sense for your condition.
OMT vs. Chiropractic Care
Patients sometimes ask how OMT differs from chiropractic care. Both involve hands-on treatment of the musculoskeletal system, but there are meaningful differences.
OMT is performed by physicians (DOs) who completed full medical school training plus additional osteopathic coursework. This means your OMT provider can also prescribe medications, order labs, manage chronic conditions, and consider your full medical picture — not just the structural complaint.
At Dunn Family Medicine, OMT is never siloed. If your back pain is related to a metabolic issue, a sleep problem, or a medication side effect, we'll address that too. And because Dr. Angela Dunn is your primary care physician, she already knows your history.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Angela Dunn, DO, FAAFP — Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician & Osteopathic Physician, Dunn Family Medicine, Steilacoom, WA.
Ready to try a hands-on approach?
Schedule a free introduction to discuss your symptoms and whether OMT is right for you.
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