What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a holistic approach to healthcare, which means it considers the entire body, not just a single area. It is a non-invasive approach to healthcare, which means it does not involve any drugs or surgical procedures. Instead, it involves a range of manual medicine and manipulative therapy techniques. These include the use of pressure, stretching, and joint mobilization. The goal of osteopathy is to reduce stress, improve movement, and enable the body to heal naturally.
When you see an osteopath, he or she will assess how well your joints, muscles, fascia, and all the connective tissues are working. Unlike most medical practitioners, an osteopath does not just treat the area where you are feeling pain. Instead, an osteopath tries to identify the underlying patterns of movement or tension, which may be causing pain or discomfort. The osteopath will work with what your body is doing at any given time.
How Osteopathy Looks at the Body
Osteopathy has a unique, holistic perspective on bodily function, where movement, structure, and tension are viewed as interconnected rather than isolated issues. Osteopathic treatment focuses on supporting the body’s natural ability to adapt, balance, and heal. Some examples of an osteopathic approach to healing are:
- Joint movement and pain in relation to muscle tension
- Compensation patterns due to posture, repetitive injury, or past injury
- The relationship between the spine, pelvis, and rib cage and overall function
- The role of connective tissue and “tightness patterns” in restricting the body’s ability to adapt
Osteopathy isn’t about forcing changes, it’s about working with your body to restore smoother, more comfortable movement and better overall coordination.
Common Types of Osteopathic Treatment
Cranial Osteopathy
Cranial Osteopathy examines the complex structure of the head in detail and its considerable influence on the health of the whole body via its connection to the spine. It is seen as an expansion of the general principles of osteopathy that include a special understanding of the central nervous system and the surrounding fluid, its connective tissue covering, and a mechanism called primary respiration.
William G. Sutherland, D.O., founder of Cranial Osteopathy, puts it best: “The goal of an osteopathic treatment is to affect a more efficient interchange between all the fluids of the body and across all their tissue interfaces.”
Structural Osteopathy
When learning what osteopathy is, one of the easiest places to start is structural osteopathy. This is the branch of osteopathy that is based on the framework of the body, the joints, muscles, posture, and the way the body moves. Essentially, it is the process of finding out what is restricted, overloaded, or compensating in the body and then using hands-on treatment to help the body move better and relieve the pressure.
Structural osteopathy is usually used when the pain or discomfort seems to be linked to the way the body is moving on a day-to-day basis, such as repetitive activities, training, previous injuries, and posture that builds up over time. It is not just about where the pain is, but what is causing the pressure in that place.
Visceral Osteopathy
Visceral osteopathy is an approach to osteopathy that is very gentle and involves considering the way the organs and the tissues that surround them move and function in relation to the rest of the body. If you’re wondering what osteopathy is, aside from muscles and bones, then this is one of the main branches that demonstrates the holistic approach that osteopathy takes.
The basic idea behind this is that the tissues that surround the organs can sometimes play a role in the way that tension is distributed throughout the body, especially in the way that the diaphragm, ribcage, spine, and pelvis function.
Myofascial Osteopathy
Myofascial osteopathy is concerned with fascia, which is the “connective tissue web” that surrounds all muscles, joints, and organs. Fascia can become irritated or restricted as a result of injury, inflammation, stress, or periods of limited movement. When fascia becomes irritated or restricted, it can impact movement and lead to “pulls” that present as stiffness or discomfort in areas that are not always obviously related.
Practically speaking, myofascial osteopathy is a way of easing restrictions within the body. When researching osteopathy, this is often the type of treatment that people find is “whole body” in its effects, as easing one area can sometimes have a positive impact on another.
What to Expect from an Osteopathic Visit
If you are new to the world of osteopathy and are curious about the osteopathic process, it can be helpful to know what to expect from a visit to the osteopath. This includes:
- A discussion about your symptoms, history, and what you want to achieve
- An observation of your posture and movement patterns
- A gentle hands-on evaluation of the tension and movement of your tissues
- A treatment that is specific to what your body is showing you on the day
Some people find that they notice changes quickly, while for others it is a slower process. However, for most, it is a process of gradual improvement and something that you can work with.
FAQs About Osteopathy
What is osteopathy used for?
Osteopathy is sometimes considered for pain, tension, movement restrictions, and patterns of strain. Osteopathy may be considered for musculoskeletal problems, especially if the problems seem linked to posture, movement, and previous injuries.
What does an osteopath do?
An osteopath will look at how your body is moving and how it may be compensating for anything. The treatment involves manual techniques that aim to help improve movement, reduce tension, and help your body function better, depending on how your body as a whole is working.
What is the difference between osteopathy and chiropractic care?
Osteopathy and chiropractic care are similar as they are manual treatments. However, the style and focus of the treatments are quite different. The main difference between the two is that chiropractic care focuses more on the spine, whereas osteopathy focuses on the body as a whole.
Can osteopathy help with sports injuries?
Osteopathy is commonly used as part of the treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries, as it can assist in the management of mobility restrictions, muscle tension, and compensation that can occur as a result of injury. It can be most beneficial when combined with a strengthening and return to sport plan.
Is osteopathy safe?
In general, osteopathy is considered a safe practice when administered by a qualified, licensed practitioner. Additionally, your osteopath will tailor the treatment according to your age, medical history, comfort level, and symptoms.
How many sessions will I need?
This will depend on what you are experiencing, how long you have been experiencing it, and how your body responds. While some people may feel better after a few treatments, others may need a more long-term approach, especially if the problem is long-standing.
