What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a form of manual medicine based on the foundation that the body has the ability to heal itself. It is a diagnosis and treatment method that is based on the structure and function of the neuro-musculoskeletal system. Osteopathic principles of treatment include; 1. The body is a unit 2. Structure and Function are interrelated 3.The body possesses self-regulatory mechanisms 4.The body has the inherent capacity to defend and repair itself 5. When normal adaptability is disrupted, or when environmental changes over the body’s capacity for self-maintenance, disease may ensue. 6. Rational treatment is based on previous principles. (1) Combining these tenets together osteopathic medicine takes a holistic approach to the body understanding that it is all connected and interrelated when considering a diagnosis and treatment. Treatment from an osteopath is usually hands on depending on the diagnosis and may incorporate many different manual therapy techniques.
1. Giovanna, D. An Osteopathic Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment 3rd ed. Lippincott 2005.
Why did you choose it as a profession?
Osteopathic medicine appeals to me in a number of ways. First,it was holistic, looking at the entire body instead of a system or one aspect of the body. The interconnectedness of the human body always amazes me, how a small issue in the toe can affect the neck or what you eat can affect your back. Second, osteopathic medicine uses a hands on approach, there is something unique when doing hands on work that allows you to connect with the patient and their body and facilitate the healing process. Third, the manual techniques employed are gentle and mostly relaxing allowing the patient to be at ease and create a unique body awareness for the patient. Overall it is the holistic, hands-on relaxed approach that drew me to osteopathy.
Amanda Moore
