About Osteopathy
Osteopathy is based on the principle that good health and harmonious interrelation of skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue are crucial to an individual’s well being.
Osteopathic care commences with the identification of the cause/s of the complaint and then uses soft tissue work and gentle physical manipulation and appropriate self care advice on dietary intake, exercise/life-style, emotional/psychological well-being to improve function, aid health and reduce the risk of reoccurrence of the presenting complaint.
Can Osteopathy Help Me?
Osteopathy is suitable for all ages including young children, pregnant women, elderly people can treat many areas related to:
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Back pain, neck,
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Digestive problems, constipation
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Headaches, migraines
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Dizziness, vertigo
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TMJ
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Sport injuries
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Post surgery discomfort
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Colic in babies
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Pre and post pregnancy discomfort
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Scoliosis
What to Expect During Treatment
When there is restriction in the movement of an organ or joint, malfunction of the neighbouring structures will happen (bad posture, strain, soft tissues tension, altered blood flow). Therefore, you will feel discomfort. Osteopathy then, assists the patient seeing the body as a unit, restituting the lost balance of the body.
On your first visit to an Osteopathy practitioner you will be asked about your symptoms and how the complaint began. A full medical history will be required followed by posture evaluation, palpation and range of motion assessment.
The osteopathic techniques tend to be gentle which makes it suitable for patients of all ages.
The number of treatments required will vary according to the condition, how long you have had it and how fast your body responds to the therapy.
The History of Osteopathy
Osteopathy began as an intended reform to medicine of the day in the 1870’s by Andrew Still MD, a Missouri. After losing several family members during encephalitis epidemics, Still was motivated to reconsider the basis for medical therapy to bring them more in line with laws of nature.
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Still did extensive anatomic and physiologic study and developed treatment protocols consistent with his studies, termed osteopathic manipulation.
As a result of his clinical success, he was encouraged to teach others his methods and in 1892 opened the American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville Missouri. Success of his students lead to the rapid spawning of other schools.
