Osteopathy is the system of manual medicine, which is concerned, with the structural and mechanical problems of the body. It deals not only with the spine but also with the body’s whole framework like its bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and other supportive soft tissues. Its aim is to restore proper movement and functioning to this system by means of gentle manual pressure.
Origin of Osteopathy
The origin of osteopathy dates back to the nineteenth century, but it has philosophical connections right back to the Hippocratic school of medical thought in the fourth century BC.
An American Doctor, Andrew Taylor Still, founded it in 1874. Dr. Still’s instinct was to look for treatments that would stimulate the body’s own healing mechanisms, rather than trying to destroy or suppress a particular disease process. His belief was that the body has a much better chance of functioning smoothly, if it was structurally and mechanically sound in condition.
The Logic
Although we stand upright, our anatomy is basically that of a creature, which moves on all fours, and there is a constant strain on the whole framework. Dr. Still recognised that the effect of gravity is particularly severe on the spine, the vertebrae and the cushioning discs between them. His earlier training as an engineer helped him in his assessment of the problems that could result from misalignment of the patient’s skeletal structure.
Dr. Still developed the use of manipulative techniques to treat not just the spine but also the whole body. Structure and function were seen as interdependent.
Osteopaths believe that we function as a complete working system and that our body structure, organs, systems, mind and emotions are all inter-related and mutually interdependent. Consequently, problems that affect the structural body also upset the balance of the body generally.
Similarly, internal problems can reveal themselves in the body’s structure as it adapts to accommodate any pain, discomfort or disease. For example, you may be suffering from lower back pain because of kidney or gynaecological problem or a slipped disc could affect your bladder control by manipulating the body structure. The osteopath’s aim is to restore health in the whole person.
Mental or physical stress can cause the muscle to contract, wasting energy and making the muscles less elastic, so that they are more prone to damage. Tense muscles also impede the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids that flow through them. By relaxing tight muscles these important fluids can flow freely, allowing blood to carry nutrients and oxygen to, where they are needed and enabling the waste carrying lymph to drain away. Osteopathic treatment helps by relaxing the muscles.
The ribs and diaphragm are also surrounded by muscles, osteopathic manipulation can help in improving existing respiratory conditions such as asthma and cryonic bronchitis. The nervous system, which comprises the brain, spinal cord and millions of nerve cells, dictates the voluntary and involuntary movements. The nerve cells help register pain, taste, temperature, sight, sound and every sensation possible for humans to experience. The nervous system also affects secretions from glands such as pituitary, pancreas, and ovaries and testicles and regulates blood and lymph circulation and breathing. Osteopaths can also help the nervous system to function optimally.
The Treatment
Osteopathic treatments involve a detailed case history of the general health, as well as particulars of any accidents and injuries along with the current problem. A complete physical examination to assess the range and freedom of movement of the body follows. Manipulative techniques accompanied by some deep neuro-muscular massage may be used to restore normal structural balance and functioning.
A number of specific techniques have been developed over the last hundred years, ranging from gentle repeated movements of the joints to increase their mobility, to quick thrust movements, which rapidly guide the joints through its normal range.
A typical osteopathic treatment for lower back pain, for example, would consist of small rhythmical movements to the lower spine in order to stretch contracted tissue. Gentle pressure would then be applied to painful muscles to aid their relaxation. If a particular joint had lost some of its freedom of mobility, it might be necessary to ‘gap’ the joint surfaces gently. The therapy mainly consists of taking the joint quickly and painlessly through its normal movement, which often produces the famous ‘clicking’ sound that many people experience during a session.
For other problems such as head or facial pain, the osteopath may simply apply very gentle pressure to the head and upper neck. He will be feeling for very subtle stress patterns within the tissues, then holding them painlessly at a point of tension until they release.
A treatment session usually lasts about 20-30 minutes, maybe a little longer for the first session, and mo’st people find it an enjoyable and relaxing experience, some even fall asleep during the session.