ACADEMY OF OSTEOPATHY & REHAB
OSTEOPATHY
What is Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a system of health care that looks at the relationship between the body’s physical structure (bones, ligaments, muscles and organs) and its impact on the body’s physiological processes.
Osteopathy assists the body to regain its normal functioning as a balanced and efficient system.
Osteopathy is a whole body system of manual therapy based on biomechanical principles. Osteopathy places greater emphasis on the relationship between the organs and the musculoskeletal system, as well as treating the whole individual rather than just the disease.
Manual Osteopathy is a non-invasive hands-on treatment approach that includes an understanding that there is a close relationship between the structure and function of the body, the body functions as a unit and the body is a capable self-healing mechanism
Osteopathic Manual Practitioners consider the whole person and look for the underlying causes of symptoms and disease. Treatment enhances the functions of regulatory and healing systems that are part of every human being. Osteopaths do not treat disease; they treat the person.
Four Principles of Osteopathy
Structure governs function:
Wherever the structure is deteriorated or deformed, the function in that area of the body will be affected. Osteopathic treatments aim to restore the body structure wherever possible.
The body regulates itself:
The body has an innate mechanism to self regulate and to ultimately heal itself. Osteopathic treatments are aimed at helping the body to regulate itself.
The rule of the artery is absolute:
Blood circulation is paramount to the function of the tissue. Tissue healing occurs through good circulation. Osteopathic treatments aim to restore effective circulation.
The body is a functional unit:
Body parts do not function separately but in fact all systems function as one unit. Osteopathic diagnoses and treatments keep this principle foremost at all times.
In essence, Osteopathy is not a set of techniques; rather it is a philosophy based on these four principles. This philosophy is simple and sensible. When applied in practice, osteopathy can make profound changes in a person's health.