“As a chronic pain management doctor I truly enjoyed helping hundreds of patients live more functional and fulfilling lives through medications and interventional procedures. I did note, however, that these therapies were not effective for everyone and in some cases were even harmful. Some patients had intolerable side effects from medications, or worse, developed addictions. Some patients feared the idea of spinal injections or had gotten to a place where needles were no longer helpful. I began to integrate osteopathic manipulation into my practice and found that the results were often extraordinary. I also saw that the listening I did during office visits seemed to be as helpful, or more so, than some shots and pills. I wished I had more time (and training) to help address many of the issues that patients would bring up during their sessions such as their depression, anxiety and trauma. I wished that my wife, Valentina Isleib, LMFT, a skilled systemic psychotherapist, could also apply her expertise to the care of these patients. From that idea The Isleib Center was born- a practice to address the Body and Mind. As we have fine tuned our ideas about what this practice can be we recognized that a practice dedicated to Body and Mind was still incomplete. The first tenet of osteopathy is “the person is a unit of body, mind and spirit.” We have, therefore, incorporated the practice of Meditation from a Spiritual perspective available to those who are interested.”
– Dr. Andrew S. Isleib
Andrew S. Isleib, DO
Andrew S. Isleib, DO is a graduate of Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine where he was the founding director of the Chateau Gardot Music Medicine Program. He then went on to complete his residency training at Temple University and MossRehab in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation where he served as chief resident. Dr. Isleib went on to train in interventional pain management at Performance Spine and Sports Physicians. He is now double boarded in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatry) and Pain Medicine. As an osteopath, Dr. Isleib has been trained in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and has integrated this hands-on therapy into his treatment of patients with chronic pain or acute injuries to help decrease the need for medications and invasive procedures. Dr. Isleib founded The Isleib Center with his wife, Valentina Isleib LMFT to help patients participate in their own healing through care that addresses mind, body and Spirit. Osteopathic manipulation is the centerpiece of The Isleib Center’s approach to body health, while Psychotherapy and meditations address Mind and Spirit. When appropriate, pain management injections and medications are also utilized. The ultimate aim is to not just treat pain, but help patients function at their peak potential.
What is Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy?
Osteopathic manipulative therapy or OMT, is a set of techniques performed by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) to diagnose, treat and prevent illness and injury. Techniques include myofascial release, muscle energy, balanced ligamentous tension, counterstrain, osteopathy in the cranial field, as well as, high velocity low amplitude, among many others. Through OMT, an osteopathic physician addresses a patient’s muscles, joints, nerves, fascia, lymphatics and autonomic nervous system, improving physiological function and promoting homeostasis either after disease has set in or as a prevention method. In many cases, the treatment can be used to complement, or even replace, drugs, interventional procedures or surgery.