Osteopathy considers and treats the whole patient rather than focusing on a specific ailment. Developed by Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917) in 1874 as an alternative to the medical practices of his era, making it the oldest complete form of healthcare originating in the United States.

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The most fundamental aspects of osteopathic medicine is the diagnosis of structural problems within the musculoskeletal system and selecting the corresponding manipulative treatments. Doctors of osteopathic medicine (D.O.s) believe that the structure of the human body is closely related to function and that both are susceptible to disorders. The Osteopaths goal is to utilize musculoskeletal manipulation to allow the body’s natural healing capabilities to function more effectively.

Osteopathic medicine has been reported to improve many conditions, including:

– Spinal & Joint Conditions
– Arthritis
– Allergies
– Heart Disease
– Breathing Dysfunction
– Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
– Hiatal Hernia
– High Blood Pressure
– Headaches
– Sciatica
– Inflammation of the Nerves
– Acute Low Back Pain
– Neck Pain
– Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
– Fibromyalgia

– Immune Deficiency
– Chronic Middle Ear Infection
– Hamstring Injuries
– Parkinson’s Disease
– Shoulder Pain
– Impaired Neurological Development
The effectiveness of osteopathy in treating the above illnesses depends on several factors, including:
– The level of organic disease
– The level of musculoskeletal involvement
– The patient’s nutritional status
– The effectiveness of the body’s healing mechanisms

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Osteopathic Diagnostics

Osteopaths often screen for issues with posture and gait, or how a patient holds their body while standing, sitting, or walking. They may also check how the patient functions while in motion, checking the moving parts of the human body for limitations. Generally, an osteopath will check for symmetry and over-compensation on one side or the other of the human body to check for spinal alignment. Human soft tissue is also an area of examination, osteopaths look for skin changes, muscle hardening, temperature change, reflex activity, excessive fluid retention, and sensitivity. Osteopathic Doctors are also able to include traditional medical testing such as x-rays, blood tests, and MRI or CT scans.

Osteopathic Treatments

Some of the manipulative treatments that osteopaths employ include:

Chair Massage - Brewer - April 2018

– Gentle Mobilization
Gradually moving joints through their range of motion and slowly increasing the range of movement until the restrictions are corrected.

– Articulation
The utilization of a quick thrust like that employed by chiropractors to combat severe limitations of movement.

– Functional and Positional Release Methods
Patients are posed in a specific position to cause musculoskeletal relaxation in order to limit spasms caused by strain or injury.

– Muscle Energy Technique
The gentle tensing and relaxing of specific muscles to produce relaxation.

– Myofascial Release
Releasing tension in the fascia using bodywork, improving muscle function and improving balance in the musculoskeletal system. The fascia is the elastic semifluid membrane that surrounds every muscle, bone, blood vessel, nerve, and organ.

– Various Soft Tissue Techniques
Techniques to relax and release restrictions in the soft tissues of the body.

– Cranial Manipulation
Light and gentle cranial techniques used to treat conditions such as headaches, stroke, spinal cord injury, and temporomandibular joint syndrome. There is promising research that points to this treatment’s effectiveness in young children looking for relief from hyper-activity, mood disorders, dizziness, or dyslexia.

History

The first school of osteopathic medicine was founded by Andrew Tylor Still in the latter half of the 19th century. The quality of medical care at the time led Still to search for better options for his patients. By the time Still passed away there were thousands of osteopaths around the United States and the United Kingdom. Today, there are 19 medical colleges that offer coursework for a doctoral degree in osteopathic medicine and over 40,000 practicing D.O.s. There are also thousands of practicing D.O.s in Europe who have received training at schools located throughout the continent. There are D.O.s practicing in Countries as close to the United States as Canada and as far as Australia and New Zealand.

Osteopathic medicine has spread worldwide and is a recognized form of healthcare in many countries throughout the world. Osteopathic medicine is a truly holistic form of medicine that requires providers to consider all of a patient’s needs and apply treatments that directly address causes not just mask symptoms.