What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a holistic approach to health care that emphasizes the interrelationship between the body’s structure and function. Practitioners, known as osteopathic physicians or osteopaths, utilize manual therapies, including stretching, gentle pressure, and resisted movements, to improve patient health. The core belief of osteopathy is that the body has an innate ability to heal itself when aligned properly.
Principles of Osteopathy
- Holistic Approach: Osteopathy considers the whole person and not just the symptoms, promoting overall well-being.
- Body Structure and Function: Osteopaths believe that the structure of the body influences its function and vice versa.
- Self-Healing: The body has the capacity to heal itself when given the right conditions and adjustments.
Treatment Techniques
Osteopathic treatments may include:
- Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
- Manual therapy
- Physical rehabilitation exercises
Conditions Treated
Osteopathy is used to treat a variety of conditions, including musculoskeletal pain, headaches, sports injuries, and chronic conditions like asthma. It is recognized as a complementary therapy within alternative medicine that works alongside conventional medical treatments.