When Elene Williams, a then-physical therapist, sat in on a continuing education class led by an osteopath, she wasn’t expecting a complete shift in perspective. But when the instructor demonstrated how treating a patient's stomach could relieve shoulder pain, it stuck. Elene went back to her practice and tried the same approach on a client—and after years of unresolved shoulder pain, the issue was gone. That moment sparked a new path of learning rooted in one principle: the body is connected, and healing often starts in unexpected places.
This took Elene on the journey to becoming an Osteopathic manual practitioner and 20 years later she has served countless women and children across Houston through her practice The Whole Mother and Child.
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a gentle, hands-on healthcare approach that aims to restore movement and balance throughout the body. Rather than focusing on symptoms alone, osteopaths work with the body as a whole: musculoskeletal systems (muscles, joints, fascia), visceral systems (organs and their connective tissues), and the craniosacral system (cranial bones and membranes).
The core belief behind osteopathy is that when movement is restored and restrictions are released, the body can regulate and heal itself. That means better circulation, improved nerve communication, and balanced lymphatic drainage—all of which promote long-term wellness.
Osteopathy, Chiropractic Care, and Physical Therapy: What’s the Difference?
A common confusion is the difference between osteopathy, chiropractic care, and physical therapy. Elene explains, “These methods can absolutely complement each other. It all depends on the individual and what their body needs ” and defines each practice as follows:
Osteopathy: Gentle, holistic, and hands-on. Supports the whole body by restoring movement and balance in tissues and systems.
Chiropractic: Focused on spinal alignment and nervous system function, often using adjustments.
Physical Therapy: Geared toward rehabilitation, mobility, and strengthening after injury or surgery.
Who Elene Works With
Elene is passionate about supporting women and children through every stage of life. For women, she provides care during pregnancy and postpartum, helps relieve musculoskeletal pain, supports digestive health, and offers specialized attention for conditions like TMJ or post-jaw surgery recovery. “This isn’t a dress rehearsal,” she says. “Your life also matters. I remind mothers that they deserve to feel good too.”
Her work with children includes newborn latch challenges, tongue-tie support, digestive issues, developmental delays such as crawling, walking, sleep problems, support during orthodontics, post-accidents, digestive issues, postural imbalance, and more.
Elene is also a wealth of knowledge on airway health and collaborates with dentists, orthodontists, lactation consultants, ENTs, functional nutritionists, pediatricians, and other professionals.
What to Expect at a Visit
Your first appointment with Elene lasts about 45 minutes. “Come in comfortable clothing. Be ready to move, breathe, and receive care that listens to your body’s story.”
She reviews your medical history, assesses posture and movement (or developmental markers for children), and creates a personalized treatment plan. You’ll leave with hands-on care and practical advice for healing at home, and if needed - a tailored plan for testing and/or referrals to additional practitioners.
“Oftentimes there are immediate improvements in posture, no more pain, better range of motion, or a child takes off running that couldn’t before,” says Elene.
To book an appointment with Elene, visit The Whole Mother and Child.
Elene’s Wellness Routine
What’s one health habit or routine that makes a big difference in your life?
K: Sauna before going to bed. It calms my nervous system and helps me sleep.
What is something you have recently learned about healthy living that you’ve adopted into your thinking or routine?
E: To do everything out of rest: spiritually, emotionally, physically. I create intentional opportunities for myself to live out of this place. I finally realized that I don’t function like a man, like my husband, who could go, go, go, and never crashes. Female physiology doesn’t work well that way.
If you had a whole Saturday free, what would be your ideal wellness day around town?
K: I regularly set up an ideal wellness day. My good friend and I go to Spa World, a Korean Spa to sweat, soak, and have meaningful conversations for hours, and then we grab pho at Katy Chinatown afterward.
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