what is osteopathy?
Osteopathy was created by Andrew Taylor (A.T) Still back 1892 in Kirksville, Missouri. Still had trained as a medical doctor and surgeon in the civil war who experienced great loss in his family where traditional medical practices couldn’t save his two children from illness. Frustrated, Still embarked on a journey to heal disease, whether alongside or without the use of surgical or pharmacological management.
Currently in America, Osteopaths also go through medical school and can prescribe medications and work as under the title of Doctor of Osteopathy, rather than a Doctor of Medicine. Osteopaths in Australia must embark on a degree at a registered university that can extend for 4.5-5 years. Each of the 3 University’s within Australia different specific degrees undertaken, but the premise is the same – two degrees, one in health science and one in osteopathic medicine. Within this time, we spend a lot of time focusing on anatomy, physiology, osteopathic technique, and rehabilitation to name a few.
Osteopaths in Australia are regulated by AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) which requires standards of professionalism and confidentiality, best evidenced care, as well as minimum standards of continuing professional development. The Dr title that we receive is purely honorary to reflect the level of study and commitment undertaken and is not to allude the pubic that we are medical doctors.
Osteopathic theory is based on 4 intertwined principles:
1. The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit.
2. The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance.
3. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation and the interrelationship of structure and function.
Within the above principles, Osteopath work within models of the bio-mechanical system, respiratory-circulatory system, neurological systems, metabolic system and behavioural system to adhere to a patient-centred and whole body approach. Osteopathic technique attempts to manage all the above, in the most effective time frame. Techniques are based around the idea of ‘myofascial continuity’ where parts of the body are linked to one another, even when not immedictly obvious
Common techniques employed by an osteopath can include Muscle Energy Techniques (specific stretching and muscle contraction), Counterstain, HVLA (joint manipulation) and myofascial relief as well as many others. Some osteopaths have also completed further education in specific fields like dry needling, cupping, visceral manipulation, and cranial osteopathy to name a few. Each osteopathy will treat a little differently depending on their clinical reasoning and experience.
It could be argued that the title Osteopathy (Osteo = bone, Pathy = disease/disorder) fails to summarise everything that we do, deducing us to ‘bone’. Therapists. In reality we work with the entire musculoskeletal system - bones ligaments, tendons, nerves, and fascia. So NO for those wondering, osteopathy isn’t just about bones.
The main aim of osteopathy is to provide your body with the right resources to fix itself. Your body has an abundance of hormones, neurotransmitters, immune cells that all help to decrease pain, increase mobility and reduce inflammation, if given the right conditions to do so. Of course, we can take some credit for helping along the healing journey, but most of the work is done all by yourself. Pretty neat if you ask me!
