| Osteopathy is a system of healthcare | | | | human machine'. The way in which they |
| based on the belief that disease is the | | | | approach disease and carry out treatment |
| direct result of the relationship | | | | is therefore completely different from |
| between physiological function and | | | | orthodox medicine. |
| anatomical structure. In osteopathy, | | | | The holistic approach to healing aims to |
| function and structure are | | | | take advantage of the body's ability to |
| interdependent. A healthy | | | | heal itself. Osteopaths believe that |
| musculoskeletal system plays a pivotal | | | | health, not disease, is the natural |
| role in recovery and disease prevention. | | | | heritage of every living thing. They |
| 'Structure governs function' - this is | | | | focus all their attention on tracing any |
| the tenet of osteopathy. By structure, | | | | changes in function that have taken |
| this means muscles, ligaments, bones, | | | | place within the structures. Within |
| organs and fascia. | | | | certain limits, the human body, like |
| The credit for initiating this system of | | | | every other organism, has the ability to |
| healing is given to Andrew Taylor Still, | | | | repair and correct itself. If given |
| who started this treatment at the end of | | | | enough 'support', it can create its own |
| the American Civil War. According to | | | | remedies. The 'support' to be given |
| Still, disease happens when the bones | | | | includes: |
| are out of place thus disrupting the | | | | - A balanced diet |
| flow of the blood or hampering the flow | | | | - Good circulation |
| of nervous impulses. He therefore | | | | - Positive attitude |
| concluded that diseases can be cured by | | | | - A pollution free environment. |
| manipulating the bones, which in turn, | | | | This self-healing is the backbone and |
| helps to restore the flow. | | | | sustaining principle behind all the |
| This system has much in common with | | | | applications of Osteopathy. According to |
| Chiropractic techniques where the | | | | these doctors, disease basically |
| correct alignment of bones is given the | | | | originates from within the individual |
| utmost emphasis. Originally Osteopathy | | | | himself. So, their main focus is the |
| used strictly manipulative techniques | | | | patient and not the micro-organism that |
| for correcting abnormalities. However, | | | | invades his body. If the disease has |
| over the past years, Osteopathy has | | | | reached a stage where the micro-organism |
| embraced all aspects of modern medicine | | | | has changed the structure beyond the |
| including drugs and corrective surgery. | | | | point of no-return, Osteopathy tries to |
| Doctors who practice Osteopathy know how | | | | help the person function as best as he |
| important it is to have a proper and | | | | can. |
| correct understanding of the exact | | | | Osteopathy differs to chiropractors in |
| position and correct function of each of | | | | that the therapist uses massage during a |
| the structure in the body. Those who | | | | treatment session to help the muscles |
| practice Osteopathy look for | | | | retain the memory of the manipulation |
| abnormalities in the working | | | | done to the bones and hence restore the |
| relationship within and between the | | | | flow of nerve impulses through the body |
| various structures. According to these | | | | to promote healing. |
| physicians, the physical integrity of | | | | Osteopathy relies on various techniques |
| the entire musculoskeletal system is one | | | | that are combined with postural, dietary |
| of the most important factors that | | | | and occupational advice. Counseling |
| contribute to good health. | | | | patients who are recovering from illness |
| Osteopathy has a lot in common with | | | | and injury and those who are under |
| orthodox medicine as well. However, | | | | excruciating pain is also a very useful |
| Osteopathic doctors are not merely | | | | part of this healing technique. |
| bone-specialists. Instead, they are | | | | Osteopathy also allows the use of |
| grandmasters in the 'biomechanics of the | | | | invasive therapies when all else fails. |