Osteopathic Medicine Works!

http://osteokath.com/how_it_works.htm

Osteopaths observe, assess, identify, and treat all the structures and rhythms of the body using a gentle and precise hands-on palpatory feel. This very precise palpation, called osteopathic palpation, is what helps differentiate osteopathy from other forms of manual therapy. Osteopaths spend many years developing the sensitive sense of touch needed to master osteopathic palpation.



Osteopathy works because osteopaths:


promote healthy functioning in a person by correcting mechanical imbalances within and between the structures of the body

restore, maintain, and improve the harmonious working of the arterial, nervous, visceral and musculoskeletal systems

treat the primary causes of dysfunction and not the symptoms of dysfunction (e.g. osteopaths treat the cause which may or may not be different from the areas in pain)

are trained to treat all the tissues in the body with different therapeutic techniques

use a precise palpatory feel to accurately determine the type of treatment required



Osteopaths use a variety of techniques to treat the body, including:

Structural techniques (aka osteoarticular mobilizations) – These are precise, gentle techniques used to mobilize restricted joints. Sometimes a ‘click’ can be heard. Osteopaths are trained in many different ways to mobilize joint surfaces. Thus, a structural technique does not have to be used should a patient not want it.

Soft tissue mobilization – Osteopaths are trained in functional techniques, reciprocal tension, myofascial techniques and strain/counterstrain techniques. These techniques are used to increase mobility and vitality of the body’s soft tissues (e.g. fascia, connective tissues, ligaments, tendons, organs etc…). These are very gentle, precise soft tissue techniques.

Muscle energy techniques – a form of soft tissue mobilization. Precise muscle energy techniques are used to (a) restore proper biomechanics to a joint (i.e. can be used as an alternative to structural techniques) and (b) restore proper functioning of tight, restricted muscles.

Visceral techniques – Osteopaths receive extensive training in the anatomy and treatment of the organs, including the:
Visceral techniques are used to assess, treat and mobilize the organs and their attachments. Visceral osteopathy is very important part of osteopathic training and treatment. Visceral manipulation is very effective at treating organ and musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.


liver and gall bladder
kidneys

stomac
lungs

intestines
heart

pancreas
bladder

spleen
uterus



Cranial techniques – Osteopaths are trained to treat the cranium/head through a deep understanding of the anatomy and interrelationships of the brain, meninges and skull. Osteopaths use osteopathic palpation to listen, assess and treat the ‘cranial rhythms’. Cranial techniques are among the gentlest techniques used in osteopathy. Yet they are an extremely effective way to free up any restrictions in the skull and in its contents.



Osteopaths understand the body as a functional whole. Dysfunction in one area can have an affect on the whole system. Thus, an osteopathic treatment involves treating and integrating all the tissues of the body (from head to toe).