Sunil Bhat, DO

Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine

2135 Charlotte St Ste 1A Bozeman MT, 59718 Show map

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About

Dr. Sunil Bhat practices Traditional Osteopathy, also known as Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine in Bozeman, MT. Dr. Bhat evaluates and treats conditions that affect the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, as well as many other systemic and chronic diseases. Osteopathic Physicians are trained to fully understand the mechanisms of health and healing through anatomy, and optimize the body's natural healing potential primarily using manipulation techniques to augment physiologic function, to improve or overcome most dysfunctional states of health.

Education and Training

Touro University COM DO 2014

Boston University ENG BS Biomedical Engineering 2006

Board Certification

American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians

American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine

Provider Details

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Sunil Bhat, DO

Sunil Bhat, DO's Expert Contributions

My Answers

How can an osteopath help me with pain management?
The Osteopathic approach balances the tensions, stresses, and strains held within the musculoskeletal system. This not only improves function and ease within the muscular system, but also improves functioning of the nervous, cardiovascular and immune systems by decreasing physical restrictions around nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels. This will reduce the overall baseline toxic and energetic load on the neuromusculoskeletal system, and the body as a whole. READ MORE
How does osteopathic medicine help muscle spasms?
Muscle spasms are usually multi factorial, and causes can include nutrition/hydration, neurologic, musculoskeletal and autoimmune, as well as other factors. The Osteopathic approach starts with balancing tension within individual muscles, surrounding muscles, opposing muscle groups, and the bones and joints between these groups. We also address physical strains in the body that may be restricting the function of associated nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels that can be inhibited optimal function of these muscle at various levels. READ MORE
Osteopathy for GERD?
GERD is sub optimal functioning of the sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus known as the gastroesophageal sphincter. This sphincter is made up of fibers of the two domes of the diaphragm where they cross above the stomach. The Osteopathic approach is to reduce tensions and strains held within the diaphragm to improve the functioning of this sphincter, as well as reduce direct physical strains on the esophagus and stomach. It also works to reduce strains that can affect the vagus nerve and the sympathetic nerves which can affect gut motility and acid production through the fight or flight response. READ MORE
Can osteopathic manipulative treatment be effective for migraines?
Osteopathic Treatment reduces muscular strains in the head and neck to improve blood flow and venous and lymphatic return to the cranium and brain. It also addresses strains in the dura, which is the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord that contains the of the pain fibers for the brain. Normalizing these strains will also improve circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid in and around the brain and nervous system, reducing overall inflammation. READ MORE
How can manipulation help severe menstrual pain?
Osteopathic treatment for menstrual pain focuses on mobilizing the sacrum and pelvis, which is where the nerves that go to the uterus come off the spine. This in conjunction with reducing physical strains in the abdomen will improve blood and lymphatic circulation to and from the uterus and ovaries, and help the overall function and ease of the menstrual process. READ MORE
How does cranial therapy work?
Cranial Osteopathy addresses dysfunction in the visceral motility of the nervous system. In much like the way the heart, lungs, intestines, and urinary systems have inherent rhythmic pulsing movements, the nervous system has a similar pulsating breath that circulates spinal fluid and improves overall nervous system function. Optimizing this will improve end organ function, including chronic inflammatory conditions like fibromyalgia. READ MORE
Can an Osteopath help relieve my arthritis?
Osteopathic treatments reduce the overall neuromusculoskeltal tension in the body. This helps muscles relax and function better, which will reduce compression on joints and help them move more freely. Treatments vary between practitioners, and can include both direct treatments involving more movement and force like chiropractic and physical therapy manipulations, and indirect treatments which are slower and gentler. Most Osteopathic Physicians use both direct and indirect manipulation depending on the specific application. READ MORE
Can osteopathic manipulative treatment help me with my rheumatoid arthritis?
By helping reduce strains around joints and improving mobility, this inherently improves the circulation of inflammatory proteins that can get stuck in joints and cause more pain. READ MORE
Does Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment also include medication?
Osteopathic Treatment is usually used in conjunction with medications and other physical therapies. As fully licensed physicians, Osteopathic Physicians can manage medications and/or provide recommendations to patients or other doctors for medication changes. Osteopathic Treatments will help improve the body's natural state of function (and ability for it to produce its own chemicals), which often reduces dosages, or even need for medications all together. READ MORE
Can OMT help in strengthening internal muscles of the body?
Osteopathic treatment can help integrate muscles and improve their ability to function at their best in isolation and with the other muscles around them. While it might not reverse nerve and brain damage caused by a stroke, it could help improve the ability of other nerve pathways and muscle groups to compensate for the deficits. READ MORE
Can chronic low back pain be treated without surgery?
There is sufficient research that Osteopathic Treatment can improve chronic low back pain, however there are some conditions involving anatomic abnormalities or fractures of the spine that will require surgical intervention. READ MORE
Does osteopathic medicine reduce anxiety?
Osteopathic treatment balances the physical tensions and strains around structures related to the autonomic nervous system, which most people know as the balance between the fight/flight vs rest/digest parts of the nervous system. This can improve the baseline nervous system tone, and improve anxiety and sleep. READ MORE
How do you prevent osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is multi factorial in nature, and there is likely some genetic component. A healthy diet without processed foods, and regular weight bearing exercise is the best way to prevent osteoporosis. READ MORE
How well does spinal manipulation work for sciatica?
Osteopathic Manipulation, which includes spinal manipulation, can be effective for treating sciatica. Often, treatment of the pelvis and sacrum is the most important component for treating sciatic pain, however the lumbar spine can play an important role as well. READ MORE
I have severe whiplash from work. What is the treatment?
I am not a Chiropractor, so cannot speak to that. I can say that Osteopathic treatment addresses not only the muscular and bony dysfunctions of the spine, but also treats the deeper strains that extend into the dura, which are the thick membranes around the spinal cord and brain extending from the tailbone to the skull. Whiplash injuries often stretch the dura and is why they are often so slow to respond to other treatments. READ MORE
Is Spinal Manipulation and Osteopathic Manipulation one and the same?
Spinal manipulation is one subset of Osteopathic treatment, and in itself is a broad term that can be done (with different techniques and approaches) by Osteopathic physicians and chiropractors, and sometimes even by specially trained MDs or physical therapists. Osteopathic physicians have a very wide range of techniques ranging from quick forceful manipulations to slow and gentle treatments to achieve improvement in mobility and motility throughout the body. We address more than just the joints, and focus on improving the overall function of the integrated neuromusculoskeletal system READ MORE
I have severe back pain at the bottom of my spine. Do you think a surgery might be required?
You need to be evaluated by a fully licensed physician (MD or DO) to see if you need surgery. This will include a detailed history, physical exam, and likely imaging studies. Osteopathic Treatment has been shown in research to reduce and improve low back pain, however depending on your specific dysfunction and pathology you may still need surgical intervention. READ MORE
How can I treat my neck pain?
I recommend daily stretching and routine exercise to help with occupational strains on the neck. An Osteopathic Physician who specializes in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine can help with manipulation to balance the thorax, shoulders, neck and head, and point out muscles that need stretching and strengthening. Physical Therapy can also help tailor your stretching and exercise routines specifically for your neck issues. READ MORE
Difference in treatment from a MD vs DO?
Most DOs in specialties like Pulmonology, Rheumatology or Internal Medicine will provide the exact same treatment as an MD, which is the standard of care. DOs that specialize in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine will have specialty training and proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulation, which can be used to augment and enhance the standard of care to improve overall physiologic function. This can often reduce amount of medication needed to control symptoms. READ MORE
Are osteopaths considered doctors?
In the USA, both DOs and MDs are considered fully licensed doctors, with the ability to practices full scope medicine including surgery and unrestricted prescribing ability. DOs (and technically MDs too) can have additional proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulation, also called Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine to also treat dysfunctional states in the body with their hands. READ MORE