Osteopathy Definition:

Osteopathy is a drug-free non-invasive manual therapy or medicine that focuses on total or complete body health. Treatment by an osteopath includes treating and strengthening the musculo-skeletal system which includes muscles, joints, spine, organs and the skull.

Osteopath Chiropractor Physiotherapist: What’s The Difference?

Physiotherapy follows a more traditional approach and focuses on isolating compartments for treatment. Chiropractic treatment mainly focuses on the realignment of the bones in the neck, upper and lower back. The chiropractic approach helps the nerves transmit information more effectively to glands, organs and muscle.

Osteopathic treatment has a whole body approach to resolve different conditions. The philosophy is “treat the patient, not the disease. The focus is on the cause of the problem, not the symptom. For example an osteopath may treat the stomach to relieve restricted motion at the shoulder. Another health professional may just focus the treatments at the shoulder.

Osteopathy Therapy

Treatment from an osteopath may include some of the following techniques:
• Osteo-articular Manipulation – gentle realignment of bones
• Visceral Mobilization / Manipulation – gentle mobilization of the organs of the body
• Cranial Osteopathy –gentle movements of the bone of the skull –this is closely related to craniosacral therapy
• Various forms of myofascial release to restore balance to muscle and surrounding tissue
• Muscle Energy – muscle relaxation through muscle contraction
• Strain –Counter-strain – relaxing and repositioning of joints

Osteopathy Treatment –Does it Hurt?

An osteopathic treatment generally is not painful; however there may be some discomfort or soreness due to the nature of the condition presenting itself. An osteopathic manipulation is gentle and subtle in its approach. Depending on the treatment, it is possible to fall asleep.

Many osteopaths practice out of an osteopathic clinic. Osteopathy is becoming more and more popular because of its non–invasive techniques.

Osteopaths usually belong to an Osteopathic society or association, similar to other professional medical associations.

History of Osteopathy

Osteopathy is based on the discoveries and clinical experiences of its
founder Dr.Andrew Taylor Still. Unfortunately in the spring of 1864 Dr. Still had the misfortune of being unable to save his three children from spinal meningitis.

Osteopathy was officially recognized in the United States under Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency as he had been successfully treated by “Osteopathy”.

In Canada osteopaths receive their diploma of Osteopathic Manual Practice (DOMP). In the USA osteopaths are considered to be medical doctors and have the initials DO by the name.

Osteopathy is now becoming more main stream as high calibre athletes and everyday office warriors are getting amazing results from osteopathic treatments.