What is Osteopathy?
Most people think of it in terms of treatment to the bones, joints and muscles. Osteopathy does literally mean "sympathy for bones", since the mobility and relationships of the skeletal system indicates the functionality of the muscles, fascia and all other systems. In fact anatomy considered in osteopathic manual therapy includes the whole body including muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, but also the organs, nervous system, lymphatics and all other vessels. Because Osteopathy is not limited to a specific tissue or approach, and because practitioners deliver treatment with different methods, it can be hard to explain and describe Osteopathy succinctly.
How does it work?
Biomechanical assessment with respect to collective mechanics is at the heart of the treatment process. It is the job of the osteopath to identify the cause of the symptom(s) (ie. pain, restriction, inflammation etc.) through a differential diagnosis. As the body regains mechanical function, all systems are also liberated to function as intended. Some elements of treatment are shared by other modalities, such as gentle stretching, strategic and gradual myofascial release, compression, muscle energy/PIR, rocking, pressure points etc. However the correlative approach and differential approach enable the Osteopathic Manual Practitioner to deduce how the body responds and tailor treatment to accommodate treatment to suit the individual and their system.
What is "Classical Osteopathic Manual Therapy"?
Classical Osteopathic manual therapy emerged under the American Dr. Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917) as a means of providing relief and health care at a time when medications often did more harm than good. Today the term clarifies the scope of practice from today's Doctors of Osteopathy (primarily in the United States) who include pharmacology in their sphere of care. Classical Osteopathic Manual Practitioners, as the term suggests, rely exclusively on structural assessment and manual therapy to liberate the body's self regulation and self healing mechanisms.
For more details and history visit the OSTCAN website:
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What's the logic?
Osteopathy is the investigation and treatment of the cause of your ailment, with an understanding of the functional mechanisms lie within, and are therefore influenced by, structural misalignment. The practitioner measures the position of your skeleton and mobility of it's joints, deduces the influences responsible for this misalignment, and treats them according to their mechanism without forcing change. Think of a house. Good foundation, good walls, good electrical and plumbing…everything works! Crooked foundation, slanted walls, bent plumbing pipes, tension on the electrical cords…problems...
The "house" (body) is unique, living, and growing. Because we are living beings and exposed to the stresses of life (emotional, physical, traumatic), our bodies are impacted by what we do and don't do. The issue could be in one part of the house or in the foundation. Only a full assessment will determine where treatment is needed.
What's the training?
4 years of study including clinical and classroom
Anatomy ✔️
Physiology ✔️
Mechanics ✔️
Laws of nature ✔️
eg. gravity, chemistry, fluid dynamics etc.
What to expect
Your posture and mobility will be assessed to determine the course of treatment and confirm it's effect.
You may be treated seated, on your back, on your stomach, on your side or even standing depending on your needs. Treatment can be adapted to any one position as needed and should not elicit pain though on occasion there can be some slight discomfort. Maintain communication with your practitioner to optimize your outcome.
Response to treatment varies both during the appointment and after. It's helpful to discuss your expectations and previous experiences during your initial treatment so your needs are best understood and met.
Who can benefit?
Treatment can benefit people of all ages and conditions.
Systems that can improve include:
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Muscle and joint pain
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Respiration and sinus congestion
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Reproductive function
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Digestion
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Inflammation
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Headaches
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Other conditions