Osteopathic Manipulative Technique (OMT) is one of several manual techniques a D.O. uses 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, regulate 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 tension, Balance Ligament/Tendon Tension, Counterstrain, Osteopathy in The Cranial Field, High-Velocity Low Amplitude, Fascial Distortion Model, Percussion Therapy, Acupressure, Acupuncture, and the Biodynamic Model of Osteopathy.

A core premise of osteopathy is to use our hands and non-invasive methods to diagnose and treat disease whenever possible.

However, certain conditions and circumstances may require medications, such as severe bacterial infections. In such cases, appropriate medicines are subscribed with osteopathic support.

One study suggests patients need fewer medications and recover more quickly than with drugs alone. Osteopathic physicians will use as little medication as possible and seek to find the most significant balance and health in the patient through hands-on osteopathic treatments.

At Still Waters Osteopathy Lake Orion, we prioritize cultivating a healthy and positive relationship with you. We take the time to understand you as a unique individual.

This commitment to personalized care begins with an initial assessment, gathering an extensive medical history that includes past medical records, family history, medications, diet, and lifestyle. Afterward, a comprehensive physical and neurologic examination is conducted to identify any issues causing discomfort and impacting your bodily function. Following the exam, the patient lies on the treatment table, and the osteopathic treatment proceeds. This gentle, hands-on bodywork treatment aims to relieve pressure on nerves, arteries, vessels, bones, and joints to restore normal body balance and function. These treatments are designed to be relaxing and refreshing and are always performed with the utmost respect for your comfort.

At the end of your visit, Dr Christensen will discuss follow-up recommendations and, if necessary, prescribe supplements, medications, or therapies.

Before your first visit, we request you complete the forms we’ve sent via email/text to maximize your time with Dr. Christensen. Completing the intake form is crucial as it provides vital information about your health history, which can significantly affect your well-being and overall functionality and care.

We recommend wearing lightweight, loose-fitting attire and, as much as possible, avoiding thick clothing or jeans. This ensures that the physician can maintain proper contact with your body. While most treatments are conducted fully clothed, there are instances where we need to see the affected area or apply medicine directly to the skin. In such cases, we will request that you remove specific clothing items. If you are uncomfortable with this, please inform Dr. Christensen, and we will work within your comfort zone.

New patient visits and treatments typically last around 2 hours, which include a 40-50 minute hands-on osteopathic treatment. Depending on the needs of our patients, follow up sessions and ongoing treatments take around 20-30 minutes. For children and infants, a complete treatment typically lasts 10 minutes.

Depending on the type and style of osteopathic treatment provided, the most general answer is gentle pressure and a release of discomfort. Most people feel great relaxation and a sense of peace. Some report feeling heat and sensations such as tingling or movement of subtle energy. Many people report feeling relaxed and peaceful for several days after treatment. Your care and comfort are the top priority from the moment you walk into our studio until complete wellness has been achieved.

It is important to remember that every body is different and has a unique journey to health and wellness.

Most patients see improvements after 1-3 treatments, while others take longer. The number of sessions required and the interval between treatments varies depending on the patient's age, the nature of the illness and its duration, and medication history.

For many patients, it’s typical to schedule visits every one to two weeks for a couple of sessions and then extend the intervals to every four to six weeks as the condition improves. In some pediatric cases, we might see them only once every three months.

Ultimately, improving your health is a team effort, and if something is outside our expertise, we will ensure you are connected to a provider who can assist you. Your continuity of care is fundamental to us.

We accept cash, checks, Care Credit and all major credit cards. FSA and HSA are also accepted. Payment is due on the day of service.

We can’t provide codes for your insurance as we are considered an out-of-network provider. Here's what you need to know:

• Call your insurance company or log in to their online portal to determine if you have a separate out-of-network deductible, specialist co-pay, and co-insurance.
• You can still submit your claims to your insurance company when you avail of our services as an out-of-network provider. However, the exact amount they'll cover may vary, and it's not guaranteed. We will help you submit your claims to your insurance company, and you will be their main point of contact as their member.
• We also accept payments from Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), which can be a helpful way to cover your holistic healthcare expenses.
• While we accept Medicare patients, they are unable to request reimbursement due to federal regulations that prohibit out-of-network claims and are required to sign an opt-out.

We're here to assist you through the insurance process. Feel free to email, call, or text us at (248)690-7070 or calm@stillwatersosteopathy.com

There are two options for submitting your claim:

Option 1: The most convenient method is through our partner, Reimbursify. It takes only 2 minutes and costs $3, but for new users, the first claim filed is free. Follow the instructions below:

• Go to reimbursify.com and select "I’M A PATIENT”
• Enter your information, upload the invoice and receipt we will provide after each visit, and submit your claim.

Option 2: To avoid that fee, you can log in to your insurance portal and look for a medical claim form to submit electronically or by mail.

No, Still Waters Osteopathy Lake Orion is a Specialty Care office and does not serve as a substitute for Primary Care Physicians.

No. We do not participate with any insurance program, including Medicare, so you do not need a referral to be treated.

Yes! As a matter of fact, Dr. Christensen sees patients through their entire pregnancy and even shortly after delivery, keeping 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 postpartum depression.

Yes! Dr. Christensen treats newborns, infants, children, and young adults as well.

D.O.s are Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine who attend fully licensed medical schools just like M.D.s, but in addition to the standard medical curriculum, D.O.s learn how to approach patients through an intrinsically holistic mindset, treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms. Their academic curriculum includes 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, traditional osteopaths specialize in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), using their hands to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury as a daily part of their practice.

The significant differences between D.O.s and Chiropractors revolve around their depth of training, scope of practice, and treatment techniques. D.O.s undergo extensive medical education, enabling them to diagnose and treat various medical conditions, prescribe medications, and perform surgery.

Chiropractors focus on the spine’s alignment and mainly use high-velocity, low-amplitude adjustments, often referred to as “cracking”. While D.O.s may incorporate similar techniques, they offer a broader range of gentler methods. In addition to hands-on manipulation, D.O.’s will consider not only the physical health, but the mental and spiritual health of each patient by utilizing a holistic approach to determine how each of these parts may contribute to a disease process.

We accept cancellations up to 48 hours before your scheduled appointment. Please note that any cancellations made within 24 hours of the appointment will incur a charge equivalent to the full-service price.

If you have any concerns or need to reschedule, please contact us immediately.

Ideally, it's best not to wear any makeup to your treatment. Depending on what kind of treatment you're receiving, there's a chance you'll be face down on the table, resting on the padded headrest. While we're happy to provide a disposable face covering and freshly laundered linens for each patient, we don't want you to leave with a smudged face! We recommend saving the makeup for after your treatment.