The meaning and benefits of osteopathy

Osteopathy is an alternative medicinal treatment procedure. It aims to treat health disorders through manipulation, massage, and strengthening of the musculoskeletal framework. In addition to being non-invasive, the practitioners of this treatment do not use any drugs. The therapy aims to provide health benefits by affecting the body’s nervous, lymphatic, and circulatory systems. In osteopathy, the practitioner or osteopath focuses on the joints, muscles, and spine. Since this is a manual therapy, the diagnosis and treatment are carried out by hand.

Osteopathy is a beneficial complementary therapy and can be a compelling alternative to conventional medicinal treatments. A few osteopaths are also qualified doctors or MDs who are more trained than naturopaths. Osteopathy is rapidly gaining popularity, and it is among the fastest-growing medical professions in the US. This therapy can help with arthritis, back pain, tennis elbow, headaches, and digestive and postural issues. 

Osteopathy can also help assist sleep cycles, nervous, lymphatic, and circulatory problems, and symptoms. One of the crucial characteristics of this procedure is that it takes a holistic and comprehensive approach. In this treatment, rather than simply focusing on the problem region, the osteopath tries to balance the systems within the human body to improve health and well-being. Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) uses osteopathic treatments to diagnose and treat specific health conditions.

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The origins of osteopathy

Osteopathy was founded in the latter part of the 1800s by an American surgeon and physician, Andrew Taylor Still. The doctor believed the human body was competent in healing itself if it functions effectively. He developed an approach that combined a variety of manual techniques that would help optimize bodily functions. In 1885, the method that Dr. Still developed became known as ‘osteopathy’, and he established the American School of Osteopathy in Kirkville, US. 

Dr. Andrew Taylor Still believed in treating various diseases by manipulating the musculoskeletal system. This technique aimed to spare patients from the harmful side effects of drugs. The name ‘osteopathy’ has Greek roots, with it being the combination of the Greek words’ osteon’ meaning bone, and ‘pathos’ meaning suffering. The whole concept of osteopathy is centered on the belief that the path to treating any disease or physiological problem can be found within the musculoskeletal system.  

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Principles of osteopathic treatment

There are four broad principles on which the entire theory of osteopathy rests. These principles are essential to understand how the technique works and provides results. 

Treating the body as a single unit

This principle is the first rule of osteopathy. It reiterates that no single part of the body functions independently. The entire human body is a single unit, and any abnormality or dysfunction in any part of the body can negatively affect the other parts.

Believing in the human body’s self-regulation capacity   

The school of osteopathy believes that the human body can heal itself if it is functioning effectively. Keeping the body healthy is an integral part of its self-regulation mechanism. The role of an osteopath is to utilize this capacity to help a patient overcome their illnesses. 

Interrelation between structure and function

The third principle of this school of thought is centered on the belief that the structure and functions of a human body are interrelated. The musculoskeletal system can reflect changes in other systems within the body or produce changes in other systems.

Belief in rational treatment

The final principle of this therapy is to combine the first three principles and implement a reasonable and practical treatment procedure that produces beneficial results. 

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Who is an osteopath?

An osteopath or a doctor of osteopathic medicine is usually a licensed physician who aims to improve a person’s overall health and well-being by implementing a holistic treatment procedure and not by only focusing on specific problem areas or symptoms. This therapy involves osteopathic manipulative medicine that stretches, massages, and moves the musculoskeletal system. Most osteopaths use manual therapy to reduce pain and improve physical mobility, blood circulation, and lymphatic fluids. As per a recent estimate by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, a quarter of all medical students in the US are graduating from osteopathic programs. 

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Duration and cost of an osteopathic examination

The entire examination process by an osteopath takes around 1 to 2 hours. Patients usually need to remove some pieces of their clothing to get the diagnosis done. Typically, the practitioner asks the patient to perform a few simple stretches and movements to help the physician make a detailed and informed analysis of their posture, balance, and mobility. The doctor of osteopathic medicine usually assesses the joints, ligaments, and tissues through palpation, a precise technique. 

After the diagnosis, a treatment plan is proposed and agreed to, where the doctor specifies the number of sessions required. However, that number can change depending on the patient’s unique requirements and response to the treatment. Since osteopathy emphasizes self-healing, the physician also recommends changes in the diet, exercise programs, and specific changes in the overall lifestyle. The costs of such treatment vary and may depend on the patient’s insurance coverage.

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Nature of an osteopathy session

Osteopathy is usually performed by palpating. This technique refers to physically exploring the deep and superficial tissues of the human body by hand. An osteopath usually feels for feedback in one’s back, shoulder, and joints. This entire process is referred to as ‘listening.’ The physician has to look for some aspects through the examination, such as congestion, dehydration, density, scarring, loss of resilience, stiffness, or ‘motility.’ Motility refers to the movement quality inherent in every living tissue. These factors help the osteopath learn about those tissues’ underlying condition and status. It can also provide an idea as to the health of the individual. To be adept at looking for motility, a practitioner must undergo several years of practice.

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How does osteopathy work?

The predominant principle in osteopathic theory is that the body can heal itself. Lack of movement, underlying illnesses, disorders, and complications hamper our body’s ability to function effectively. How this therapy works can be better highlighted if we observe nature and its mechanisms. Many natural events mirror the mechanism of osteopathy, providing a sense of our body’s far-reaching inherent abilities.

For example, let’s look at the importance of circulation within our bodies. Blood circulation is a crucial element of our body. Healthy blood circulation helps the body gain proper nutrients and also removes waste products from the body. Now, algae start developing in a swimming pool when the water is not disturbed, and there is no movement within the water body. The water becomes cloudy and starts to give off pungent smells. A similar thing happens if blood circulation is hampered within the human body. This disturbance in circulation can occur due to an injury or tissue damage. This stagnation can lead to bodily fluid congestion in certain areas, leading to inflammation.

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What are the benefits of osteopathy?

The holistic practice of osteopathy can produce several essential benefits. It has the potential to treat various parts of the body, including joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. This school of thought is mindful of the interrelationship between different parts of the body and tries to implement a therapy regimen that takes a comprehensive and complete view. The treatment is also highly versatile and can be utilized for various ailments. 

Helps in managing chronic pain

Osteopathy is fundamentally a naturopathic healing procedure that can help restore balance to the body. It has the potential to heal several illnesses and symptoms. It has been used to reduce pain and inflammation in patients with asthma, arthritis, and even IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). While the emphasis remains on manipulating the musculoskeletal system, the benefits and positive effects can also translate to the underlying tissues and organs. 

By intervening in the flow of different fluids through the body, the tissues and body are moved toward self-healing and correcting the structural damages within it. For individuals with arthritis, back pain, neck pain, migraines, headaches, tendon damage, ligament injuries, tissue damage, and more, osteopathy can be a helpful alternative therapy procedure. While the treatment helps in pain management, it can also be beneficial in alleviating the stress in joints, posture improvement, tension relief, and improving our range of motion without causing any further stress to our body framework.

Eases pregnancy issues

Pregnancies can be complicated at times. Various hormonal and structural changes can lead to feelings of significant discomfort. During pregnancy, women are encouraged to relax so the tendons of their feet can spread apart and for their hips to change shape for a time. Although this is a necessary aspect of pregnancy, it can sometimes lead to muscle tension, acute discomfort, and systemic stress. Osteopathy can be beneficial in this case as it helps mitigate the unease and pain experienced by pregnant women. It can also help in restoring balance to the body during stressful periods. 

Prevents injuries

One of the benefits of osteopathic treatments is that they can help to increase resilience and muscular flexion. This factor improves the range of motion and prevents torn muscles. This increase in stability can help strengthen tissues and make them less likely to suffer any damage due to muscle stress. For athletes, laborers, factory workers, typists, players, and individuals who engage in repetitive motions, osteopathy can be a highly beneficial treatment. It can also help prevent further damage to an injured body part while aiding with recovery and inflammation.

Helps with relaxation

Like any therapeutic procedure, therapy, or massage, osteopathy can help with relaxation. Direct skin-to-skin contact has been shown to boost dopamine levels within the body and promote wellness. Since this procedure helps with better blood circulation, lymphatic flow, and vascular response, it can help relax during and after recovery. 

Improves blood circulation

Osteopathy treatment can lead to much-improved blood circulation within the body. It leads to a much better distribution of oxygen and nutrients to various body parts. Better blood circulation can alleviate blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and restore lymphatic balance. It also leads to an increase in bodily detoxification, treating sleep apnea, healthier sleeping habits, and increased overall wellness. Consistent osteopathic treatment can help us develop a healthier lifestyle and faster recovery and avoid further injury, tension, or illness.

Helps with back pain

The current lifestyle has students and professionals spending lots of time in front of a screen. However, doing so can result in poor posture and musculoskeletal problems. Osteopathic treatment involves subtle movements and gentle manipulations of soft tissues and muscles. The osteopath might also massage or help the muscles to stretch. It can prevent more severe problems down the line. Some of the usual advice an osteopath recommends are stretching, lifting, posture, breathing, and stress reduction exercises.

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Final Summation

Osteopathy is a treatment that can lead to many beneficial results. Developed back in the late 1800s, it has undergone several improvements. The convenience, advantages, and wellness offered by this form of therapy have made it famous worldwide. As per an Osteopathic Medical Profession Report, since the 1990s, osteopaths have grown by 290%. In addition to being a non-invasive procedure, the treatment can help with several illnesses without the side effects of traditional drugs. 

This treatment can help strengthen and repair the musculoskeletal framework leading to positive changes throughout the body. Osteopathy can also work as an effective preventive treatment. Through regular therapy sessions, individuals can gain better health and well-being and develop a healthy lifestyle. Rather than only treating a disease or its symptoms, this specialized medicinal field can help treat several health problems related to bones, muscles, and circulatory system dysfunction. Osteopathy can also help with any issues with the nervous system, which shares a connection with bones and muscles. The multifaceted benefits of this procedure have led it to be prescribed and adopted by thousands of people. Regular osteopathy treatment can also improve body functions, flexibility, and mobility. So, if you suffer from neck pain, inflammation in various joints, body parts, arthritis, or other ailments, undergoing osteopathic therapy can lead to several benefits.