| Osteopathy is a unique healthcare that believes in | | | | techniques release restriction by placing the joint or |
| "whole body" healing through manual therapy that is | | | | muscle in a position of comfort, and applying a |
| based upon the biomechanical principals and a wide | | | | counter stretch in order to antagonists of the tight |
| range of manual manipulations that treat | | | | muscles. Functional techniques involve gentle |
| musculo-skeletal issues and other medical functional | | | | mobilization of joints to discover barriers to normal |
| disorders of the human body. The World Health | | | | movement. Manipulation is used when it is appropriate |
| Organization recognizes Osteopathy as a medical | | | | and safe to do so, and is only a part of what |
| discipline. Osteopathy is practiced all over the world. | | | | osteopathic treatments are about. The manipulations |
| Osteopaths can treat anything from back, foot, and | | | | are done with a minimum of force. |
| neck pain to pains experienced in peripheral joints | | | | A gentle release technique called, "Osteopathy in the |
| including the ankles, knees, muscle strains, and | | | | Cranial field" is used on the physically frail and with |
| tendonitis. They also treat work-related injuries such | | | | very young children. Visceral techniques are used for |
| as repetitive strain injuries, improper posture injuries | | | | internal organs and are a gentle rhythmical stretching |
| and also sports-related injuries. Those who suffer | | | | of visceral areas. |
| from the pain of arthritis can find relief using | | | | Osteopaths encourage patients to take responsibility |
| osteopathic techniques. Other medical conditions have | | | | for their health by identifying issues in the workplace |
| also found relief in osteopathy including asthma, | | | | that may contribute to pain or discomfort and to |
| chronic fatigue, and gynecological dysfunction. Many | | | | reduce or eliminate them by making the workplace |
| pregnancy-related aches and pains can be relieved | | | | more ergonomically pleasing, and by teaching patients |
| using an osteopath. | | | | about proper posture, and how to put less strain on |
| Osteopathy was one of the first medical professions | | | | their bodies at home, and also by teaching relaxation |
| to include biomechanical analysis when accessing how | | | | techniques to reduce stress that can contribute to |
| injuries occur and what secondary effects may exist. | | | | disease, and by assisting patients to work with |
| Osteopaths treat patients using massage and | | | | dieticians, occupational therapist and other healthcare |
| stretching techniques, and also articulation techniques, | | | | workers where needed. |
| which are all apart of manual therapy. Articulation | | | | Osteopaths believe that the patient and doctor work |
| techniques are those in which joints are mobilized by | | | | together towards the goal of good health. The body |
| passive range of motion. Muscle energy techniques | | | | can heal itself if given the opportunity through patient |
| use contraction of muscles and alternately stretching | | | | education, a healthy diet, and a healthcare practice |
| of muscles to work against resistance. Counter strain | | | | that believes in whole-body health approach. |