What is OMTAustralia

What is OMT?

OMT (Orthopaedic Manual / Manipulative Therapy) is a system of physiotherapy techniques, used in the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
It has its origin in Northern Europe and Scandinavia. It has been taught and practised in Australia since the early 1970’s.

What is OMTAustralia?

OMTAustralia is the association of Australian qualified physiotherapists who teach OMT. OMTAustralia is committed to “Excellence” in manual therapy education and clinical practice.
OMTAustralia organises courses for registered physiotherapists wishing to improve their manual therapy skills.

What is different about OMT?

OMT assessment techniques relate logically to the arthrokinematics (joint movements) being tested.

OMT joint treatment techniques

• apply forces that are biomechanically logical.
• do not apply axial compressive forces through the thumbs, thereby avoiding the repetitive stress / arthritic problems that affect many physiotherapists.

• are trained to consider the “whole” when assessing and treating musculoskeletal problems.
• use three dimensional (3D) assessment and mobilisation techniques.
• mobilise spinal and extremity joints using distraction and gliding techniques (eg facet gapping, facet gliding).
• use effective techniques to address soft tissue dysfunction (specific PNF muscle stretching).
• use techniques that combine soft tissue stretch with joint mobilisation.
• OMT physiotherapists employ stabilisation techniques for the deep spinal musculature ("core stability" training) when addressing deep spinal and pelvic instability problems.
• Use myofascial release treatments (including "dry needling")