What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy addresses the fact that the neuromusculoskeletal system is interrelated with the visceral organs of the body (ie: lungs, liver, and heart) or with any functions of life that the body provides (ie. respiration, circulation, and digestion).   The neuro-musculoskeletal system is composed of the nerves, muscles, and skeleton of the human body, and the interaction of these components allow us to function on a daily basis. There is a relationship between the neuro-musculoskeletal system and the rest of the body through the vast network of neurovascular pathways. Osteopathy looks at patients in a truly "whole-person" fashion and uses a combination of hands on musculoskeletal manipulation and conventional medicine including prescription drugs when necessary.  

Osteopathy was started by Andrew Taylor Still an allopathic physician (M.D.) that learned through musculoskeletal manipulation he could cure his headaches and help his patients in ways that conventional medicine could not. On June 22, 1874, osteopathic medicine was born.  

Some of the founding ideas of Osteopathy are:

•  The body is a unit

•  Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated

•  The body possesses self-regulatory mechanisms

•  The body has the inherent capacity to defend and repair itself

•  When normal adaptability is disrupted, or when environmental changes overcome the body's capacity for self-maintenance, disease may ensue

•  Movement of body fluids is essential to the maintenance of health

•  The nerves play a crucial part in controlling the fluids of the body

•  There are somatic (musculoskeletal) components to disease that are not only manifestations of disease but also are factors   that contribute to the maintenance of the diseased state

Osteopaths realize that the source of pain may not be the initial source of the problem. For example, upper back or neck pain may be related to a misalignment in the pelvic or lumbar region, etc. Osteopathic physicians define a dysfunction as an impaired or altered region of the body and the related components to that region. A dysfunction can affect a region of the body above or below that dysfunction. What may be thought to be a chronic lower "bad back" may actually be a symptom of another musculoskeletal or visceral dysfunction (organ system i.e., gastrointestinal, reproductive, urinary, etc.).

Osteopathy has an important role in treating acute, chronic and vague musculoskeletal and general medical complaints.   With the overall balance achieved using this modality, there is an effect on the autonomic nervous system which governs the sympathetic ("fight or flight") and the parasympathetic ("rest and repair") nervous system. There are both immediate and cumulative effects from the treatments. Osteopathy relieves pain, releases myofascial holding patterns, creates a sense of well being, tonifies and balances the body for optimal health. Osteopathy helps patients achieve optimum performance in sports, physical activities, and in occupational demands.