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What is Osteopathy?
“Osteopathic Medicine is a system of manipulation using the hands to correct joint and tissue abnormalities. Restoring physical and mental well-being, it makes it easier for a patient's body to function normally and use its own recuperative powers more effectively. Naturopathic, or Holistic Osteopathy focuses on more than diagnosing and treating the structural and mechanical problems of the body. It encompasses looking at diet, lifestyle and mental well-being to restore the state of balance within the total bodily function.”
—British College of Osteopathic Medicine,
University of Westminster, UK
Lief House, 120-122 Finchley Rd, London, NW3 5HR
www.bcom.ac.uk
“Osteopathy is a distinct approach to healthcare based on an established system of clinical diagnosis and treatment, which lay its main emphasis on the structural and mechanical problems of the body. It is a system of manual medicine based on the original discoveries and clinical experience of its American founder, Dr Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917)… Osteopaths use a wide variety of treatment methods, from gentle release techniques include structural, functional, visceral and cranial and the aim is to restore harmony within the body.”
An osteopath can treat a range of conditions such as back and neck pain, sciatica, frozen shoulder, joint pain, tennis elbow, stiffness and tension, digestive problems, repetitive strain injury, respiratory problems, arthritis, headaches, migraines, baibies with colic or sleeplessness, problems during pregnancy, and sports injuries.
—European School of Osteopathy,
The University of Greenwich, UK
Boxley House, The Street, Boxley, Maidstone, Kent, ME14, DZ
“Osteopathy is a holistic patient-centred system of health care that is complementary to other medical practices. Osteopaths mainly work with the neuro-musculo-skeletal system and pay special attention to how it effects, and is affected by, our vital internal organs. A well-functioning musculo-skeletal system plays an important role in wellness, disease prevention and recovery… Treatment is usually performed using highly skilled manual techniques tailored to the individual patient. Osteopaths frequently support these treatments with advice on lifestyle, diet and exercise…”
—The British School of Osteopathy,
University of Luton, UK
275 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JE
Osteopathy is a "whole body" system of manual therapy, based on unique biomechanical principles, which uses a wide range of techniques to treat musculo-skeletal problems and other functional disorders of the body. It was developed in America in the 1870's by a Missouri Doctor, Andrew Taylor Still, and has developed to the point where it is now widely recognised throughout the world as one of the most scientifically validated and effective "complementary" therapies.
The World Health Organisation recognises the Osteopathic concept of somatic dysfunction as being scientifically proven, and the British Medical Association also recognises Osteopathy as a discrete medical discipline. In Australia, Osteopaths are statutorily registered practitioners and five year, full-time university training is available, which covers anatomy, physiology, pathology and general medical diagnosis in addition to Osteopathic technique. Osteopaths are primary care practitioners, and are trained to be able to recognise conditions which require medical referral. They are also trained to carry out standard medical examinations of the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous system.
—Australian Osteopathic Association
Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment aimed to provide relief from problems caused by malfunction of the body's inter-related muscular, skeletal and nervous systems. Treatment involves gentle manipulation for a range of painful and sometimes disabling conditions such as back and neck pain; and headaches. Also pain that remains undiagnosed after medical investigations may be found to respond. Problems arising in work, sport or any other aspect of life are equally suited to an osteopathic approach.
—The London College of Osteopathic Medicine
8 - 10 Boston Place, London NW1 6QH.
“Osteopathy: The science of manual manipulation of the spine to relieve pressure on the nerves so as to relieve pain.”
—Dr. K. M. Modi,
A leading Osteopath and Naturopath, India
Founder ASIAN COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
www.acomosteopathy.com .
“Osteopathy: A system of therapy founded in the 19th century based on the concept that the body can formulate its own remedies against diseases when the body is in a normal structural relationship, has a normal environment and enjoys good nutrition. While osteopathy takes a “holistic” approach to medical care, it also embraces modern medical knowledge, including medication, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy when warranted. Osteopathy is particularly concerned with maintaining correct relationships between bones, muscles, and connective tissues. The practice of osteopathy often includes chiropractic-like adjustments of skeletal structures. Craniosacral therapy, a practice in which the bones and tissues of the head and neck are manipulated, also arose in osteopathy.
Conclusion
Osteopathy is a therapy based on the theory that the body is capable of making its own remedies against disease and other toxic conditions and emphasizes the importance of normal body mechanics and manipulative methods of detecting and correcting faulty structure.
Apart from a clinical examination, osteopaths depend on palpatory diagnosis: the feel of the tissue, the feel of the muscle, the feel of movements at the intervertebral joint. X-rays cannot detect minor spinal changes. So, once the defect is detected, adjustments are done by positioning the patient in a specific manner and giving sharp, short jerks.
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