What IS Osteopathic Medicine?

By Jean A. Swift, D.O.

The Osteopathic concept emphasizes the following principles: The human person is a unit in which structure, function, mind and spirit are mutually and reciprocally interdependent. The body tends to be self-regulatory and self-healing in the face of disease processes. Adequate function of body systems depends upon the unimpeded circulatory mechanisms, nerve impulses and neurotrophic influences. This philosophy and these principles permeate all aspects of health maintenance and disease prevention and treatment by an Osteopath.

Andrew Taylor Still, M.D. developed Osteopathic medicine in 1874. After three of his children died from meningitis he became dissatisfied with the effectiveness of 19 th century medicine. Osteopathy is a unique form of American medical care in which Dr. Still emphasized, for the first time, the importance of maintaining good health to prevent disease. He emphasized the importance of the neuromusculoskeletal system as a key element to health. He recognized the body’s ability to heal itself, he stressed preventive medicine, eating properly and keeping fit. He pioneered the “wellness” concept over 125 years ago.

Like their M.D. counterparts, Osteopathic physicians must complete four years of undergraduate study, four years of medical school and then pursue post-graduate training in one of 22 areas of specialty, e.g. family practice, internal medicine, obstetrics, emergency medicine, surgery and psychiatry. This area of specialty practice requires from two to six years of additional training. Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) is one of two medical degrees, which qualify physicians to acquire unrestricted licenses to practice medicine and surgery in all 50 states in the U.S.

Osteopathic physicians practice with all the tools of modern medicine, including prescribing medications and performing surgery. They also recognize the importance of the neuromusculoskeletal system. An Abnormality in the structure of any body part can lead to abnormal function somewhere in the body. Osteopathy places special emphasis upon the importance of body mechanics and uses manipulative techniques to detect and correct faulty structure and function. Osteopathic manipulation therapy (OMT) is gentle and controlled. It may be directed toward joint motion or directed toward the muscles and fascia. It is utilized to affect circulation, lymphatic drainage and nerve impulses to improve the overall health of the individual.

Anyone who has suffered a sports injury, motor vehicle accident, difficult childbirth or chronic recurring pain such as headache, backache and repetitive strain can benefit from Osteopathic manipulation therapy (OMT). Pregnant women with a shift in their center of gravity suffering from back or pelvic pain, newborns after a long and trying labor, children injured in the many falls of the toddler years & early team sports, all can benefit from OMT. The techniques are gentle enough for the newbord & practical enough to integrate into the well-child and adult regimen of medical preventive care to maintain optimum health and well being throughout life.