A deeper look into
my treatment
Components of my approach
Within osteopathy, I use various techniques that form an essential part of the treatment. What these techniques have in common is that they influence the nervous system. After all, the nervous system regulates muscle tension, the coordination between different muscle groups, and joint mobility.
By specifically stimulating this system, disrupted patterns can recover, often resulting in immediate relaxation, strength, and freedom of movement. Depending on the complaint, these techniques are used to respond as precisely as possible to what the body needs.
Below, you can read more about three components of my approach that I regularly apply in my practice.
Each complaint is unique and requires its own approach!
My approach to increased muscle tension
There are various methods to influence muscle tension. In my experience, a targeted neurological approach is often particularly effective when increased muscle tension hinders recovery. This way of working is therefore an important part of my treatment. Below, I explain how I apply this in practice.
Muscles usually do not tense up without reason. In many cases, increased muscle tension is a compensation for a problem elsewhere in the body, such as a joint restriction, muscle imbalance, or long-term strain. The body uses this to create stability and protection, compensating for structures that are not functioning optimally.
Sometimes, however, the body gets stuck in this compensation strategy. The original cause may have already diminished, but the muscle remains tense. The nervous system maintains the protective response, preventing the muscle from relaxing properly.
Therefore, it is essential to first investigate the underlying cause and treat it where possible. Only then do I assess whether the increased muscle tension is still being actively driven neurologically.
When that is the case, muscle tension can be specifically influenced through neurological mechanisms. The nervous system operates, among other things, on the principle of reciprocal inhibition: when one muscle is powerfully activated, a relaxation response automatically occurs in the opposing muscle. By purposefully utilizing this mechanism, excessive muscle tension can be reduced.
Using a specific manual technique, I can briefly trigger a clear activation in a certain muscle group. This creates a strong relaxation stimulus via the nervous system in the muscle that is currently holding too much tension. The muscle can then often release immediately, noticeably reducing stiffness and restricted movement.
The goal always remains the same: not just to reduce tension, but to restore the balance between protection and function within the entire system.
Mobilization within my osteopathic approach
There are many different ways to allow joints to move freely again. Over the years, I have applied and researched various techniques. The method of mobilization I use now is a conscious choice. I find this approach very effective for making joints move smoothly and pain-free again without manipulations or forced movements.
In this approach, I subtly correct the position of the joint and combine this directly with an active movement by the patient. When a joint is not optimally positioned within the overall movement pattern, it can cause movements to become painful or restricted.
Through the combination of manual correction and active movement, the nervous system receives new, safe movement information. The brain perceives that the movement can take place without threat, causing protective tension to decrease.
The effect is often immediately noticeable. Pain decreases and movement returns more smoothly. Many people are surprised at how quickly this works. It is a gentle and safe way to allow joints to move freely again without cracking or forcing. Because the restored movement is performed actively right away, it is also immediately functionally integrated into the body.
My approach to muscle imbalance
In the event of an injury or long-term complaint, certain muscles may become less active, while other muscles unconsciously take over their function. This is a protective mechanism of the body. In the short term, this is effective, but in the long term, it can lead to strain, compensatory complaints, and disruption of the normal movement pattern.
Within my osteopathic approach, I make extensive use of targeted muscle testing to detect imbalances in the body. Analyzing muscle balance and neurological control is an important focus area within my treatment.
Using specific tests, I assess which muscles are underactive and which are becoming overactive or strained. By applying light pressure and testing the muscle response, it becomes clear where the body is out of balance. This provides insight into how the nervous system controls movement.
When a disrupted activation pattern hinders recovery, I correct this specifically. Through subtle manual corrections, I help the nervous system activate the right muscles at the right time and allow overactive muscles to relax. In this way, the body learns to move efficiently and naturally again, without overcompensation or unnecessary tension.
During treatment, the effect is often immediately noticeable. A muscle that was inhibited by the nervous system can contract better again, improving strength, stability, and coordination. The muscle was not actually weak, but was being neurologically inhibited.
To stabilize the new movement pattern, I provide targeted exercises. This gives the body the opportunity to integrate and maintain the corrected pattern.
Ordinary strength training often does not solve this problem, as the body may continue to compensate with the wrong muscles. It is therefore important to first normalize the control before further building strength.
I regularly apply this way of working with athletes and people with recurring or persistent complaints where compensation plays a major role.
The goal is not to train individual muscles, but to restore balance and cooperation within the entire system.
