What to Know

What is OMT?

OMT stands for Osteopathic Manipulative Technique (OMT). It can be one of several manual techniques used by a D.O. to treat a patient. It is used to: address structure and tissue abnormalities, release fascial tensions, relieve joint restrictions and misalignments, restore muscle and tissue balance, balance the autonomic nervous system, increase channels for better blood flow and lymphatic circulation, and improve overall general health. Some treatments include (but are not limited to): Muscle Energy, Balanced Ligamentous Tension, Counterstrain, Osteopathy in The Cranial Field, High Velocity Low Amplitude, Fascial Distortion Model, Percussion Therapy, and the Biodynamic Model of Osteopathy.

Who can benefit from osteopathic treatment?

Osteopathic manipulation can help people of all ages and backgrounds, including newborns and the older adult population. There are even osteopaths specialized in working with animals! It can help with pain relief from such medical conditions as: low back pain, sciatica, TMJ syndrome, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder pain, chronic migraines, and menstrual pain, or address structural issues in your body’s so it can deal more efficiently with chronic issues such as: asthma, COPD, diabetes, neurological conditions, rheumatologic disorders, chronic sinusitis, anxiety/depression, digestive issues, and insomnia. Osteopathic manipulation has been shown to help with feeding/suckling issues and strain patterns acquired from birth in the newborn.

**IF YOU ARE HAVING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY PLEASE GO DIRECTLY TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

Can you be my primary care physician (PCP)?

No. I specialize in Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Manipulative Medicine.

Do I need a referral to see you?

No. I do not participate with any insurance program, including Medicare, so you do not need a referral to see me.

Can you see me if I’m pregnant?

Yes! As a matter of fact, I see patients through their entire pregnancy, and even shortly after delivery. Everything I do keeps in mind the health of both you and your baby. Osteopathic manipulation can help tremendously as your body changes with the growth of your baby. It has also been shown to help with post-partum depression.

Can I bring my baby/child to see you?

Yes! I treat newborns, infants, children, and young adults as well.

What is a D.O. and how do they differ from an M.D.?

D.O.’s are Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine that attend fully licensed medical schools just like MDs, but in addition to the standard medical curriculum, DOs learn how to approach patients differently, treating the whole person rather than the symptoms. They get additional hours in anatomy, biomechanics, and manual therapies to offer patients more in terms of hands-on diagnosis and treatment. While all D.O.’s are taught osteopathic manipulation in their curriculum, some DOs specialize in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), using their hands to diagnose, treat and prevent illness or injury as a daily part of their practice (traditional osteopaths). Using various manual therapies, they will move your muscles and joints with a variety of techniques, including stretching, gentle pressure and resistance. About 10% of D.O.’s practice Traditional Osteopathy.

How do D.O.’s differ from chiropractors?

Osteopathy was founded by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still in Missouri in 1870. It is a distinctive form of medical care founded on the philosophy that all body systems are interrelated and dependent upon one another for overall good health. American-trained D.O.’s have attended fully-accredited osteopathic medical schools with a minimum of 7 years post-graduate medical training and can prescribe medications, perform surgery, and have full medical practice rights both in the United States and in 44 other countries.

Chiropractic was founded by Daniel David Palmer in 1895 in Ontario, Canada. Chiropractors focus on paying attention to biomechanics. They believe the structure of the spine, and how well it functions, affects the musculoskeletal and neurological system.They mainly focus on alignment of the spine and do not have full medical practice rights.

Is Craniosacral/Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST) the same as Osteopathy In The Cranial Field (OCF)?

The cranial concept was first discovered, practiced, and taught by Dr. William Garner Sutherland (1873-1954), a student of Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. OCF is practiced by some licensed osteopathic physicians for diagnosis and treatment provided as part of a comprehensive medical treatment plan.Cranial osteopaths are licensed physicians, trained in anatomy, physiology, health, and disease states.

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a form of light-touch bodywork developed in the 19070’s by an osteopath, Dr. John Upledger, as a tool for massage therapists and other bodyworkers. CST courses are open to anyone—even without any medical background—and there are no national standards or regulations. The technique can be practiced with as little as four days of training.

Office Hours

340 Broadway, Suite 1,
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Hours variable. By appointment only. See schedule for availability.

Sessions are by advance appointment only.

House calls are also available.

Visit Information

Please complete the required forms prior to your visit so that we may take full advantage of your appointment time.

First-time visits will take between 60-90 minutes to complete. Follow-up visits are between 30-45 minutes. Patients will typically book two follow-up visits soon thereafter to continue the physical momentum in the body started on our initial encounter. After the third visit, we will re-assess your body and decide the length of time between any subsequent appointments, if needed. Please bring with you any imaging reports (xrays, CT scans, MRI’s, EMG’s, etc..), medication lists, and records from other doctors’ offices that you feel are important for your care.

House Calls can be made within a 10-mile radius of the office. The visit will be 1-hour long and the space provided for treatment must be smoke/pet-free. It can be indoors/outdoors, per patient’s preference, and no service discounts may be applied for this service. I provide the treatment table and osteopathic hands!

What to expect after treatment

The treatment process is not completely finished when you first get off the table. Your body physiology will continue to organize over the next several days. To support your body in this re-organization, it is best to avoid stressful or disruptive circumstances that may interfere with this re-organizational process, this includes additional bodywork, ie. massage/PT/acupuncture for 2-3 days.

Drink plenty of water (half your weight in fluid ounces/daily if you are not fluid restricted) for the next few days. As your tissues free up, previously trapped metabolites may be released into your bloodstream and should be flushed out of your body.

You may experience mild soreness after your treatment, this is a typical response and just means your body is adjusting. Most people actually feel better than they have in a while and will then overdo it. Avoid this mistake, be gentle with yourself for the next few days, and allow your body time to heal and re-organize into a healthier more-balanced state.

Insurance and Payment

Osteopathy on Broadway, PLLC is a fee-for-service practice. Full payment is due at the time of service. While we are out of network providers for most insurances, including Medicare, there are many insurance plans that partially cover osteopathic manipulation. You can be given a superbill, upon request, for you to submit to your insurance directly. The office has NO direct relationship with ANY insurance company and therefore is under no obligation to provide any additional paperwork.  Patients requesting copies of their charts will be charged at the physicians’s hourly rate, as there is no dedicated team of documentation/billing/coding in this office.  Thank you for your understanding. Note: It is your responsibility to speak directly with your insurance company to inquire about reimbursement rates. No modifications will be made to the office documents for insurance purposes.

10% discount for: hospital employees, LEO’s, EMS, firefighters, active military, and full-time students with proof of ID.

No discount may be used for House Call visits.

Cancellation/No-Shows/Arriving Late

When you book an appointment, that time is totally dedicated to you. We recommend you arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment to ease into your gentle treatment. If you need to cancel, we ask that you kindly give us at least 48-hours notice directly by phone or email (no texts, please) to avoid getting charged. No-shows/cancellations in less than that time, will be charged the full amount.

Anyone who arrives more than 30 minutes late for a first-time visit, may only have time for a thorough medical history to be obtained and a discussion of goals of treatment. Anyone who arrives more than 20 minutes late for a follow-up appointment, may need to be re-scheduled and will be charged for the appointment time. Please reach out to us by phone, if you know you are running late. While we understand that emergencies do occur,we respect everyone’s appointment times and do not wish to delay the care of other patients.

Parking

Saratoga Springs is a vibrant city, especially during track season. Please give yourself enough time to find parking prior to your appointment. Putnam Street Garage is right behind the building, between Spring St. and Putnam St. The lower level offers 3-hour parking from 9am-6pm, and the upper level offers 24-hour parking except for the spaces immediately adjacent to Harvey’s Restaurant, which are 3-hour parking. There is also plenty of 2-hour street parking on the southern end of Broadway, just read the signs carefully to avoid loading zones. There are two handicap parking spots very close to the entrance of the building, as well. For more information on parking, visit www.saratoga.com/aboutsaratoga/parking/

Shoes/Clothing

We ask that you please take off your shoes upon entering the office. We find that it is both respectful and better for leaving the dirt of the outdoor at the entrance. It is also symbolic, in many cultures, for leaving the worries of the world at the door. You are welcomed to bring soft house slippers to change into once in the office.

Please wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing on your treatment day. Avoid tight leggings, skirts, or jeans. We are a fragrance-free office so please refrain from wearing any strong perfumes, using strong-scented lotions or body sprays. Ladies, please avoid long dangling earrings that may interfere with your treatment.

Cell Phones

We ask that you silence your phones once in the office. We have tried to create a peaceful and calm waiting area so that you can already begin to disconnect from the stress of your daily life. Take this opportunity to enjoy the time dedicated to you and your health without any external distractions.

Tea/Coffee/Refreshments

The kitchen is closed due to COVID-19 safety policies until further notice. Thank you for understanding.

Restrooms/Facilities

The medical office is located on the ground (street) level and is ADA compliant. Restrooms are on the second floor and can be easily accessed by the elevator in the lobby just outside our office door.