What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a holistic method of treatment which supports the body’s innate healing forces to reestablish health. It is based on a thorough knowledge of anatomy, neurology, physiology, pathology and embryology.
The osteopath understands health as a state of balance in the body, where all tissues can move and adapt without any tension. The body tries to keep the reciprocal action of all its vital functions in a constant balance. However, if the mobility of individual body structures is impaired or restricted their function is compromised. Over the course of months or years entire chains of tension can form in the body. Often the organism reacts to the changes with adaptation and compensation as long as possible. But if a sufficient and appropriate regulation is no longer possible, the person shows signs of disease and reacts with pain and disturbed mobility and function. In this state the access for the self-healing forces of the body is very limited.
How does the osteopath work?
Based on a thorough case history (questioning of the patient) and with the aid of his/her trained hands the osteopath is able to diagnose dysfunctions. The treatment consists in gentle manual manipulations with the aim to reestablish the organism’s natural balance and to activate the body’s intrinsic healing forces. The osteopath is not treating disease or complaints in isolation, he/she is aiming at supporting the organism and its health as a whole. Since the body is one unit, it may happen that the patient is experiencing pain at a particular site but the osteopath is starting the treatment in a different region of the body. Thus osteopathy is not a mere treatment of symptoms but represents a holistic therapeutic approach.
What is the aim of an osteopathic treatment?
The aim is to improve the mobility of all body structures and to support all physical, mental and spiritual functions.
Who can receive an osteopathic treatment?
Everybody can be treated osteopathically: from infants to elderly patients.
Basically, osteopathy reaches its limits where the self-healing forces of the body are no longer strong enough. Osteopathy is no emergency medicine. Serious diseases, acute inflammation, open wounds, fractures and burns have to be treated by a medical doctor first. Osteopathy also does not establish conventional medical diagnoses. Click here to learn more about biodynamic osteopathy.