What is Osteopathy?
The Science of Osteopathy is a study of the human body as it functions in health and disease. Osteopathy uses very precise palpatory and manipulative techniques to treat the restrictions in tissues which prevent the various parts of the body from fulfilling their natural functions. The objective of the practice of Osteopathy is to restore mobility to the different systems of the body, (musculo-skeletal, circulatory, digestive, pulmonary and nervous systems) thus improving the regulation and interactions of these systems.
The Development of Manual Osteopathy
Manual Osteopathy was founded in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. Dr. Still was a Missouri medical physician who had become frustrated with what he saw as the ineffective nature of remedies at that time. He believed that the doctor’s role in fighting disease was to restore the body’ s proper musculoskeletal function. Still founded the American School of Osteopathy in Missouri in 1892. The school taught manual manipulation, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications rather than surgery and drug therapies. Dr. Andrew Taylor Still believed that many disease or illness began with structural problems in the spine. Long nerves connect the spine to various organs in the body. According to Dr. Still,when there is a problem with the spine, the nerves send abnormal signals to the body’s organs. Still called these spinal problems “osteopathic lesions” (“osteo” for bone and “pathic” for diseased), and created osteopathic manipulation techniques (OMTs) to treat them. These treatments, he believed, would return the nerves to their normal function and allow the blood to flow freely throughout the circulatory system. With structure restored, the body’s own natural healing powers would be able to restore full health.
The Tools of Manual Osteopathic Practice
Prevention is the basis of the Manual Osteopathic approach. The practitioners goal is to treat the cause of the dysfunction as soon as it has been detected. If left untreated, such dysfunctions will manifest themselves in the form of functional impediments, weakened defense systems, postural imbalances and pain. The methods used by the Manual Osteopath to treat restrictions include osteoarticular adjustments, visceral osteopathy, cranial osteopathy and normalization of myofascial tension.
What a Manual Practitioner of Osteopathy Does
The first step in any consultation is to listen to the patient explain the reasons for the visit and to review in details his or her history of injuries and illness.
The rest of the consultation is dedicated to:
- Observing and inspection posture
- Performing general, regional and local functional tests
- Palpating the patients tissues and physiological rhythms
- Identifying the causes and developing the treatment plan
- Performing the Osteopathic treatment
Who Can Benefit From Manual Osteopathic Treatment?
Individuals of any age with complaints of pain, numbness, weakness, stiffness or tightness may benefit from Osteopathic treatment. These symptoms may be a result of injury, accident, repetitive strains, under-use or misuse, degenerative or arthritic changes, pregnancy and childbirth or following surgery or dental work.