A safe and non-invasive healing therapy, Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy, also simply referred to as Osteopathy, is a technique focused on the interrelationship between the structure and functions of the body. Osteopathy is based on the premise that the body can self-heal and self-regulate. This truly is a methodology, a belief system, which is behind this modality. Therefore, practitioners are facilitating the healing taking place by treating the entire body, not just singular, individual physical conditions.
Osteopathic Treatments are conducted with the use of manual readjustments, myofascial release (the release of pain which is caused by muscle irritation) and other physical manipulation of muscle tissue and bones. The position, quality and mobility of the body are used to both assess and treat the body for any symptoms which are present.
Often described as a “combination of chiropractic care and massage therapy,” the main difference between osteopathy and chiropractic care is that an Osteopathic practitioner can manually assess and treat the body’s organs which require assistance to function optimally. Treatments typically involve the patient laying comfortably on a professional massage table while the practitioner conducts their treatment. Session lengths can vary depending upon the needs of the patients and as determined by the Osteopathic practitioner.
Interestingly, The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised the Osteopathic concept of somatic dysfunction as being scientifically proven.
