What is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment?
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a hands-on approach used by osteopathic physicians (DOs) to diagnose and treat structural and functional issues in the body. Using gentle techniques, OMT supports the body’s natural ability to heal, restore balance, and improve function.
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For infants, OMT is especially light and supportive, often used to help with feeding-related tension, torticollis, or head shape. Babies sometimes fuss or cry during treatment—not because they are being harmed, but because releasing tight areas can feel unusual or briefly uncomfortable. Afterward, some infants are more relaxed right away, while others may be fussier for a day or two as their bodies adjust. Occasionally, feeding patterns may temporarily change as babies reintegrate freer movement and improved nerve function. These short-term shifts are normal and usually followed by longer-term improvements in comfort, feeding, and overall ease.
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For adults, OMT can ease back, pelvic, rib, or neck pain and support recovery during pregnancy and postpartum.
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At Bloom and Balance Clinic, OMT is one of the ways we integrate medical expertise with gentle, holistic care for both mothers and children.
Other Frequently Asked Questions:
What does OMT feel like for babies?
For infants, OMT looks like light holds, gentle movements, and subtle pressure. Because babies’ bodies can carry tension from birth, they may fuss or cry during treatment, or even seem a little fussier for a day or two afterward. Occasionally, feeding may feel more challenging right after treatment as your baby’s body reintegrates new freedom of movement and nerve function. These temporary changes are normal and usually followed by lasting improvements in comfort, feeding, and mobility.
Is OMT safe for babies?
Yes. OMT is safe for infants and children when performed by a physician trained in osteopathic medicine. Techniques are specifically adapted for little bodies and are comfortable overall, even if they sometimes fuss during or shortly after care.
What does OMT feel like for adults?
For adults, OMT may include gentle stretching, guided movements, light pressure, or techniques where you gently contract and release your muscles. Most people find the process comfortable, though it’s normal to feel mild soreness for a day or two afterward—similar to how your body feels after exercise or a deep stretch.
What kinds of issues can OMT help with?
Infants: feeding difficulties, slow weight gain, torticollis, mobility issues, head shape abnormalities, general comfort, colic, gassiness, reflux, gross motor delays, ear infections, vision issues.
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Mothers: pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain, round ligament pain, breech positioning, pelvic mobility for optimized vaginal birth, shortness of breath related to pregnancy, gastric reflux, postpartum recovery, pelvic floor rehab, diastasis recti.
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Women: musculoskeletal concerns at any stage of life including but not limited to sciatica, low back pain, pelvic pain, poor posture.
​Will one treatment be enough?
Some families notice improvement after a single visit, while others benefit from several sessions. The number of treatments depends on the condition, its severity, and how your body responds. We’ll discuss what to expect at your first visit.
Questions about Marquette Method & Creighton
Model Natural Family Planning:
What is the Marquette Method of Natural Family Planning?
The Marquette Method (MM) is an evidence-based natural family planning (NFP) system that primarily uses hormone-monitoring technology, such as the ClearBlue fertility monitor, to track estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH). It may also incorporate cervical mucus or basal body temperature as optional cross-checks.
What is the Creighton Model FertilityCare System?
The Creighton Model (CrMS) is a standardized system of cervical mucus observation. Women are taught how to identify, categorize, and chart cervical mucus with precision. The Creighton charting system is also the diagnostic foundation of NaProTechnology, which evaluates and treats underlying reproductive-health issues.
How effective are the Marquette and Creighton methods for avoiding pregnancy?
When used correctly and consistently:
Marquette Method:
Up to 98–99% effectiveness with perfect use (depending on protocol).
Typical-use effectiveness is usually reported at 90–94%.
Creighton Model:
Up to ~96–98% effectiveness with perfect use.
Typical-use effectiveness is around 90–93%.
Both methods are comparable to many forms of contraception, when used as instructed.
Are these methods effective for achieving pregnancy as well?
Yes. Both systems can help identify the most fertile days of the cycle:
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Marquette pinpoints ovulation via hormone surges.
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Creighton identifies peak-type mucus with high precision.
This makes them useful tools for couples experiencing difficulty conceiving.
Can these NFP methods identify underlying health issues?
Yes — especially the Creighton Model, which is designed for medical evaluation.
Creighton charts can uncover issues like:
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luteal phase defects
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abnormal bleeding patterns
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ovarian cysts
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hormonal imbalances
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endometriosis indicators
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infertility patterns
Marquette charts can highlight:
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irregular or absent ovulation
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low estrogen or LH levels
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patterns consistent with PCOS or perimenopause
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cycle disturbances from stress, thyroid issues, or medications
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Both methods can help providers detect abnormalities earlier than many conventional screenings.
How does the Creighton Model work with NaProTechnol-ogy?
Creighton charting provides detailed biomarkers that specially trained NaPro physicians use for:
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diagnosing cycle irregularities
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ordering targeted hormonal bloodwork
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identifying causes of infertility
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treating issues with root-cause medical solutions, rather than suppressing symptoms
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This makes CrMS + NaPro a unique approach to reproductive health.
Can the Marquette Method help address health problems too?
Yes. Because Marquette uses home-hormone testing, it can:
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reveal unusual hormone patterns
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detect anovulatory cycles
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help monitor postpartum return to fertility
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provide insight during perimenopause
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help identify stress-related or thyroid-related cycle changes
While it’s not paired with a formal medical system like NaPro, cycle data can still guide clinicians in further evaluation.
How long does it take to learn these methods?
Marquette: Usually 1–2 sessions plus a few months of charting to gain confidence.
Creighton: A series of introductory and follow-up sessions over several months.
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Are these methods suitable for postpartum, breastfeeding, or irregular cycles?
Yes.
Marquette offers postpartum-specific hormone protocols, which are especially helpful during unpredictable cycles.
Creighton also has postpartum charting protocols and works well for women with low or changing mucus levels.
Do these methods rely on medications or devices?
Marquette: Uses a fertility monitor (device) but no hormones.
Creighton: Uses observation only — no devices or medications required.
Both are completely natural.
Do I need a partner to use these methods?
No. These methods track your fertility regardless of relationship status.
Are Marquette and Creighton religious?
Both originated in Catholic research centers, but they are medical/scientific systems and can be used by anyone, regardless of religious background.
Why does Natural Family Planning sometimes get a bad name?
NFP is often misunderstood because many people confuse it with the old Rhythm Method, which relied on counting days and assuming every woman ovulates on a fixed schedule.
That method was highly inaccurate, especially for women with irregular cycles, postpartum cycles, PCOS, stress, or illness.
Modern NFP methods like Marquette and Creighton are entirely different: they use real-time biological markers, not calendar predictions. They are clinically researched, data-driven, and have published effectiveness rates comparable to many contraceptive methods when used correctly.
How are modern methods like Marquette and Creighton
different from the old Rhythm Method?
Marquette Method:
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Uses actual hormone measurements (estrogen + LH) with a digital fertility monitor.
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Identifies the real timing of ovulation each cycle—no assumptions.
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Adaptable for irregular cycles, breastfeeding, postpartum, or perimenopause.
Creighton Model:
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Uses standardized, detailed cervical mucus observations, not calendar calculations.
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Systematically trained instructors ensure accuracy.
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Integrates with NaProTechnology, allowing medical diagnosis and treatment.
