OMT: Osteopathic Manual Therapy

The Complete Guide to Sustainable, Whole-Body Relief in Santa Fe

Feel like you’ve tried every manual therapist, chiropractor, or “miracle” stretch—and you’re still chasing the same aches and limitations?

You’re not alone. Most people seeking relief are handed generic exercise sheets, told to see yet another provider, or bounce back to square one because insurance refuses to cover the care they actually need.

At SolCore, there’s a better way:
Osteopathic Manual Therapy (OMT) isn’t just about fixing what hurts today—it’s a whole-body approach that unlocks your body’s own ability to feel great, move well, and stay that way. We work outside the restrictions of insurance checklists, using hundreds of hands-on techniques plus cutting-edge movement re-education tailored entirely to YOU.

This guide is different. You’ll get a clear look at:

  • What OMT really is—and isn’t
  • How it compares to PT, chiropractic, and massage
  • Why combining OMT with targeted, holistic exercise delivers real results that stick
  • What makes SolCore’s expertise truly different
  • Transparent answers to every concern about comfort, safety, results, and cost
  • Real stories from clients just like you who got better… and stayed better

Start at the top, or jump to the section you care about most using the table of contents below. And if you’re ready to move past endless appointments and get back to the life you love, your next step is right here.

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    Ready to stop chasing endless “fixes” and start building lasting results?

    What is Osteopathy?

    Imagine if your healthcare didn’t just treat the pain, but the whole chain that created it. That’s the principle behind osteopathy.

    Osteopathy isn’t just another therapy—it’s a philosophy. The body isn’t a collection of separate parts, but a dynamic, living system. That means how you move, sit, and even think ultimately shapes how you feel.

    Key guiding truth:
    When your structure (think posture, muscle balance, joint position) is off, your body is forced to compensate. Over time, this wears you down—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. True health means restoring both structure and function together.

    Osteopathy’s roots reach back to 1874, when physician Andrew Taylor Still challenged the “patch and pill” mentality of his time. Since then, visionary practitioners like Littlejohn, Stoddard, Barral, and Guy Voyer have refined it into a system that serves real, modern lives.

    What does this mean for you?

    1. Your pain isn’t treated in isolation—we ask, “what’s not moving, what’s overloaded, and how can we restore full-body function?”
    2. You don’t get a cookie-cutter routine; YOU are the starting point—your job, your hobbies, your posture, your stress, even your history.
    3. Root causes are addressed, so you finally break the cycle of “fix and relapse.”

    At SolCore, our founder Ekemba Sooh trained for over 15 years with Guy Voyer—a globally respected osteopath and movement innovator. That means you get advanced care grounded in tradition and modern best practices, right here in Santa Fe.

    Nervous about starting something new or worried you’re “not flexible/fit/young enough” for this approach?
    See how we make OMT and holistic exercise beginner-friendly in the FAQ ›

    What the Heck is Osteopathic Manual Therapy?

    If you’ve heard about “bodywork” or “manual therapy,” you probably picture someone working your muscles or maybe stretching your limbs. But the real secret to deep, lasting change lies in something even more fundamental: fascia.

    Fascia is your body’s connective tissue network—a continuous, intelligent web that surrounds and weaves through every muscle, tendon, ligament, joint, and organ. Far more than just a “wrapping,” fascia is what links all your soft tissues together, allowing your body to move, adapt, and heal as a unified whole. Tendons and ligaments? They’re actually specialized forms of fascia, too.

    That’s why true change requires more than just working on a tight muscle or mobilizing a restricted joint. You need a therapy that considers and treats this entire, integrated system.

    Osteopathic Manual Therapy (OMT) is a hands-on approach focused on “normalizing” your body’s soft tissues—muscles, fascia, ligaments, and more. Normalizing means restoring them to their natural, healthiest state, so your posture, movement, and comfort improve in ways that last.

    Heads-up:
    OMT is not the same as Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment performed by many doctors. We don’t crack joints or do quick pops. Instead, we calm down or activate the right tissues—especially through the fascial web—so your bones and joints realign themselves. This gentle, systemic approach brings you comfort, mobility, and performance improvements that truly last, not just a temporary “reset.”

    What’s in it for you?

    1. Long-term relief: By addressing the fascia and all related soft tissues, stubborn pain and ingrained movement issues are finally resolved at the source—not just masked.
    2. Posture and movement that last: Your body learns a new, healthier “normal,” so you hold and move yourself better in daily life.
    3. Vitality regained: When tissues are freed up, blood flow improves, nerves communicate better, and you feel stronger and more balanced overall.

    Curious why we focus so much on fascia?
    Here’s the simple science behind it in our FAQ ›

    Why Focus on Soft Tissues?

    When we say “soft tissue,” we mean the truly dynamic web of living straps, sheets, and envelopes that make up everything in your body that isn’t hard bone—including, and especially, fascia.

    Fascia isn’t just “the stuff around your muscles.”
    It exists at multiple levels and in multiple forms to connect, support, and organize your body. Here’s how:

    • Epimysium: The tough, outer sheath of fascia that wraps each whole muscle—like a supportive sleeve.
    • Perimysium: Internal fascial bands that bundle healthy muscle fibers into organized groups (fascicles), ensuring smooth motion and coordinated strength.
    • Endomysium: The delicate yet vital fascia that wraps every individual muscle fiber, allowing even microscopic muscles to work in harmony.

    But that’s only part of fascia’s story. It also forms:

    • Tendons (fascial cords connecting muscle to bone)
    • Ligaments (fascial bands anchoring bone to bone)
    • Periosteum (the fascial covering on every bone, providing nourishment and attachment points)
    • Adventitia (fascial sheaths guiding blood vessels, nerves, and organs)
    • Epineurium (the fascial coating surrounding nerve bundles for protection and movement)
    • Parietal fascia (lines your body cavities, helping suspend organs)
    • Visceral fascia (delicately wraps individual organs, allowing for movement, protection, and healthy function)

    In short: Fascia is everywhere—organizing, stabilizing, and allowing every movement and adaptation in your body. When even one link in this soft tissue system is restricted or damaged, the effects can be felt nearly anywhere else.

    Healthy fascia means smooth, pain-free movement, steady posture, and a nervous system that’s able to communicate and respond. Tight, stuck, or scarred fascia disrupts the whole network—leading to pain, compensation, and chronic dysfunction.


    This is why Osteopathic Manual Therapy doesn’t just focus on muscles and ignores nothing:
    Every session addresses—and restores—your body’s interconnected fascial layers, giving you relief and resilience from the deepest level out.

    Why Pair OMT with Holistic Fitness?

    Imagine if seeing your body feel better didn’t end with a treatment table—what if every improvement you gained with hands-on therapy was built upon, not lost, with every step you take after?

    That’s the power of combining Osteopathic Manual Therapy (OMT) with a whole-body, holistic fitness approach.

    Here’s why it matters:

    • OMT clears the path. By releasing restrictions and balancing tension in your fascial and soft tissue network, OMT restores natural alignment, mobility, and comfort. It’s like finally opening up a new, smooth road after years of potholes and detours.
    • Holistic fitness locks it in. Targeted, expert-guided movement teaches your body how to move in this new, better way—so improvements “stick.” Each exercise you do strengthens, stabilizes, and integrates these changes, transforming short-term gains into lifelong habits.
    • Muscle isn’t everything—connection is. When you challenge your body with balanced, full-body movement, fascia learns to coordinate and distribute force efficiently. This means less strain on trouble spots, better balance, and more energy for what you love.
    • You become resilient. Life doesn’t stop throwing curveballs! This combo helps you weather challenges—from injury recovery to daily stress—by teaching your whole system how to adapt and self-correct.

    What’s in it for you?

    1. Results that last far longer than a massage, adjustment, or “quick fix.”
    2. Confidence knowing you have the tools to build, protect, and upgrade your own health—anytime, anywhere.
    3. Freedom from the endless cycle of appointments because sustainable movement habits keep you strong and balanced for the long haul.

    The real upgrade isn’t just less pain—it’s getting “unstuck” and living on your own terms again.

    Not sure if you need therapy, training, or a combination to finally get lasting results?
    See how we combine both for real change in our FAQ ›

    How Is This Different Than Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, and Massage Therapy?

    If you’ve already tried PT, chiropractic, or countless massages—only to end up back at square one—you’re not alone. The truth is, while all these therapies can help in certain situations, most are missing a crucial piece of the puzzle: a system that treats you as a connected whole.

    Physical Therapy (PT)

    Physical therapy typically focuses on restoring basic function after an injury or surgery—think walking, bending, or regaining strength. Most PTs operate within strict insurance rules and are often forced to rely on protocol-driven exercises, sometimes at the expense of a whole-body perspective.
    What’s missing? PT often stops when you’re “functional,” not when you’re at your best.

    Chiropractic

    Chiropractic care is best known for spinal adjustments—quick, sometimes frequent “pops” meant to realign joints. While these adjustments can feel relieving, they often overlook the underlying issue: tight, imbalanced, or restricted fascia and soft tissues that pull bones and joints right back out of alignment.
    What’s missing? Adjustments alone rarely address why your body keeps getting stuck in the first place.

    Massage Therapy

    Massage is a great tool for relaxation and temporary pain relief. Good massage therapists can work out tension and boost circulation. But most general massage is designed for comfort, not long-term correction—meaning true restrictions, scar tissue, or postural problems can go untouched.
    What’s missing? Massage rarely targets the root cause of structural imbalances or teaches your body how to maintain change.


    So, What Sets OMT Apart?

    Osteopathic Manual Therapy is both broader and deeper:

    1. Whole-system focus: OMT addresses not just muscles, but the entire fascial web, the joints, posture, and how everything interacts in daily life.
    2. One philosophy, one solution: Everything (from assessment to hands-on work to corrective movement) happens within an evidence-based, integrated system—so there are no gaps in your care.
    3. No insurance limitations: Your sessions are based on your needs, not red tape.
    4. Sustainable, not just soothing: Most importantly, OMT combines manual therapy with corrective movement so your gains last. Our clients learn to maintain their own progress—resulting in fewer recurring visits and real independence.

    What’s in it for you?

    • Real, lasting results—not just a cycle of temporary fixes.
    • The confidence of moving, living, and feeling your best—long after your appointment ends.

    Osteopathic Manual Therapy

    Not sure how OMT compares with chiropractic adjustments or manual manipulations?
    See our answer in the FAQ ›

    Do you do adjustments?​

    Short answer: No—we don’t “crack” or pop your joints like a traditional chiropractor.
    Instead, we honor a simple physical reality: in the battle between bones and soft tissue, soft tissue always wins.

    Here’s why:

    Imagine your kitchen floor is uneven, and every time you nudge your refrigerator into place, the door keeps swinging open. You can keep adjusting the fridge’s feet and door all you like, but until you fix the floor itself, you’ll never get the door to stay put.

    That crooked floor is like your body’s fascial and soft tissue system. You can “adjust” a joint repeatedly, but if the foundation—your fascia, muscles, tendons, and ligaments—is still out of balance, your bones and joints will always be pulled back to their old, stuck positions.

    What happens when you skip the soft tissue?

    • Adjustments may bring temporary relief, but without healthy fascia and muscle balance, those benefits don’t last.
    • Sometimes, forcing a change without preparing the tissue can lead to more strain, inflammation, or the need for ongoing repeat visits.
    • The real pattern never changes—so your body relies on outside “fixes” instead of learning a better way to move and align itself.

    The OMT Difference

    With Osteopathic Manual Therapy, we work with your body’s “floor”—the entire fascial and soft tissue network—first. With gentle, skilled hands-on work, we help your tissues release strain and rediscover balance, so your bones and joints naturally return to healthier alignment on their own.
    But real change isn’t complete until your body learns how to keep this new foundation. That’s where corrective movement and exercise come in: they “train” your body to trust and maintain its new, healthier “floor,” so you finally break free from endless fixes.

    Why does this matter?

    1. You get relief that lasts, because the foundation actually changes.
    2. Your body stops slipping into old, painful patterns.
    3. You gain independence and real confidence in your movement—feeling free, not fragile.

    A common question—and a completely understandable one.
    Short answer: No. At SolCore, our Osteopathic Manual Therapy and holistic fitness services are not billed through insurance.

    In New Mexico, our services fall under the Health Freedom Act. We’re fully certified to do what we do, but because we aren’t physicians and don’t claim to be, we can’t bill insurance. That said, it means no red tape telling us how to treat you.

    Here’s why this is actually good news for you:

    • No red tape, real results.
      Insurance tends to dictate how, what, and how often you can be treated—often limiting sessions, determining which techniques are “allowed,” and ignoring what your body truly needs. By working outside these constraints, we’re able to customize every session and use the most advanced hands-on and movement methods available—without any outside interference.
    • Focused on you, not paperwork.
      Our only priority is your progress, not checking boxes for insurance companies. That means longer, more attentive appointments and tailored follow-up support.
    • Faster, more complete care.
      Without insurance-imposed gaps or restrictions, you get what works—the right blend of OMT and corrective exercise at the pace and frequency your unique situation requires.

    What’s in it for you?

    1. You won’t waste time or money on incomplete, “watered down” care.
    2. Every aspect of your plan is based on your needs and goals—not a policy’s limitations.
    3. Your healing isn’t delayed or interrupted by bureaucratic hoops or denials.

    We know not billing insurance is a big decision for many. But if you’re tired of hitting walls with standard therapy, and ready for a truly customized, whole-body approach, you’ll directly experience why so many of our clients say it’s worth every penny.

    What are your Osteopathic Manual Therapy sessions like?

    When you walk into SolCore, you’re never just another appointment slot. Every session is intentionally structured to help you feel understood, respected, and empowered—whether it’s your very first time or you’re a returning client.

    What to Expect (Step-by-Step):

    • 45-Minute, Fully Focused Sessions:
      Each appointment gives you a dedicated window of one-on-one care—no quick ins-and-outs, no juggling with multiple clients at once.
    • Thorough First Appointment:
      Your OMT journey starts with two closely scheduled sessions. Why? Your first visit involves a deep-dive assessment:
      • You’ll share your health history, current issues, goals, and day-to-day challenges.
      • We’ll assess posture, joint mobility (like SI joint checks), even light cardio or strength—so we’re treating the cause, not the symptom.
      • Then, hands-on work begins right away, blending soft tissue release with gentle alignment.
    • Personalized Movement Homework:
      You leave each session with specific, targeted stretches and exercises (not some generic printout). You’ll also have access to a library of your customized video homework for as long as you remain a private member—making it easy to practice, reinforce, and revisit whenever you need support.
    • Ongoing Support:
      Your home plans and videos are always accessible in your member portal, so you’re never left guessing between visits and can keep progressing at your own pace.
    • Convenient Scheduling, Thoughtful Policies:
      Ideally, your first two sessions are scheduled back-to-back for momentum. If you need to reschedule, we just ask for 24 hours’ notice to make room for others.

    What’s in it for you?

    1. Every minute serves your unique body and story—no two sessions are ever alike.
    2. You’ll understand your problem and your path forward from day one.
    3. You’ll see progress both in the clinic and at home, with ongoing, expertly guided support throughout your private membership.
    This is a unique fitness program that goes deep to correct posture, alignment, strengthens my core, makes me strong and gets me to be in my body in a whole new way! I feel like I've been re-introduced to parts of my physical self. Ekemba is a great teacher--clear, focused, supportive and clearly passionate about the work he does. I would highly recommend SolCore Fitness if you want to make a commitment to feeling and looking great!
    SolCore Fitness & Therapy Review
    Maria C

    How Often Should I Come In For My OMT?

    There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—because there’s no one-size-fits-all body, history, or goal. At SolCore, your plan is always built for you.

    What determines your frequency?

    • Your Health Goals:
      Are you looking to finally fix a stubborn injury, recover from surgery, tune up your athletic performance, or stay ahead of aging’s effects? Every goal has its own best rhythm.
    • How You Respond:
      Bodies heal and adapt at different rates. Some people notice game-changing improvements after two or three sessions; others need longer to re-pattern old habits or recover deeply held restrictions.
    • Your Personal Timeline:
      Have a big event, trip, or work deadline? We’ll work with your calendar and energy needs.

    Our Promise:

    • We’ll never “over-prescribe” visits or pressure you to book endlessly. Most clients start a bit more frequently (to build momentum), then spread sessions out as they feel and move better.
    • The real goal?
      Get you independent: learning how to maintain your progress with guided movement and smart self-care—so you spend less time needing us, and more time living your life.

    What’s in it for you?

    1. A treatment plan that respects your goals, budget, and schedule.
    2. The honest truth—no gimmicks, no fluff, just what actually works for lasting results.
    3. Progress you can measure: improved movement, less pain, and greater confidence week by week.

    Curious how quickly you’ll see results or when you’ll need to come back?

    Get answers about timelines and progress in our FAQ ›

    Where Do You Go From Here?

    You’ve read what truly integrated, fascia-driven, whole-body therapy can do—how Osteopathic Manual Therapy at SolCore is designed to address your unique patterns, remove long-held barriers, and put you in control of a life that feels free, confident, and strong.

    Whether you’re brand new to hands-on therapy, burned out from the “same-old fixes,” or looking to deepen your results with holistic movement—there’s a path here for you. At SolCore, you’ll never be “just another client.” You’ll be listened to, guided step by step, and supported for the long haul.

    So—are you ready to finally get unstuck? To feel the way you know you could?

    Ready to experience the difference that real OMT and holistic fitness can make?

    Book your consult or first session now—let’s write the next chapter of your movement story together.

    Not Ready Yet? No Problem.

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    Personal training

    Personal training in Santa Fe is the fastest and most effective way to achieve your fitness goals. You'll get one-on-one coaching, personalized workouts, and expert support every step of the way. Whether you're just starting out or pushing to the next level, we’ll help you succeed.

    Manual Therapy

    Manual therapy at SolCore Fitness in Santa Fe goes far beyond basic massage or temporary relief. Using hundreds of advanced soft tissue techniques, we target the root causes of pain, postural imbalances, and movement restrictions. Whether you’re dealing with chronic discomfort, recovering from injury, or just want to move better, our hands-on approach supports your body’s natural healing processes. Every session is tailored to your unique structure and goals — often combined with corrective exercise to make the results stick. It’s not just about feeling better temporarily; it’s about creating long-term change that helps you move, live, and perform at your best.

    Semi-Private Training

    Semi-private training in Santa Fe offers the best of both worlds — the motivation of a small group and the personalized attention of one-on-one coaching. With just 2–4 people per session, you’ll stay accountable, make progress faster, and enjoy a supportive atmosphere.

    Online Training

    This guided online program walks you through every step to build a strong, pain-free, and functional body. Train wherever and whenever it works for you — no fancy equipment needed. Perfect for busy professionals or anyone who prefers to work out from home.

    Group Classes

    SolCore Fitness group classes in Santa Fe are uniquely designed by Ekemba Sooh to improve strength, posture, mobility, and overall function. Unlike typical gym classes, these small-group sessions are highly personalized and progressive — perfect for building your foundation the right way.