1. What is Osteopathy?
A. WHAT IS OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE?
Osteopathic medicine is a distinct branch of medical practice. The osteopathic philosophy of medicine sees an interrelated unity in all systems of the body, with each working with the other to heal in times of illness.
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, are fully licensed physicians who practice in every medical specialty. DOs practice a whole-person approach to medicine, focused on looking beyond your symptoms to understand how lifestyle and environmental factors impact your wellbeing.
The profession is one of the fastest growing segments in health care today, with one out of every four medical students enrolled in an osteopathic medical school.
Overview
Osteopathy originated as a 19th century alternative medical approach focusing on physical manipulation. Today, osteopathic physicians study and practice the same types of medical and surgical techniques as conventional medical doctors. Some of osteopathy's original techniques still persist, however; these, taken together, are called osteopathic manipulation (OM). OM is less well-known to the public than chiropractic spinal manipulation, but it has shown promise for many of the same conditions, such as back pain and tension headaches.
History of Osteopathic Manipulation
Osteopathic medicine was founded in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still, a US physician. Physicians educated in this method were called doctors of osteopathy, or DOs. Subsequently, however, schools of osteopathic medicine became integrated with conventional medical schools, and today in the USA the license of D.O. is legally equivalent to that of M.D.
Forms of Osteopathic Manipulation (OM)
Osteopathic techniques focus attention on the spine, and devote efforts to the manipulation of soft tissues and joints outside the spine. Some DOs utilize spinal manipulation tending to make use of rapid short movements (spinal manipulation, which is a high-velocity, low-amplitude technique), and OM utilizing gentle, larger movements (mobilization, which is a low-velocity, high-amplitude technique). There are several specific osteopathic techniques in wide use. Some of the more popular are muscle-energy, counterstrain (also known as strain-counterstrain), myofascial release, and cranial-sacral therapy (formally known as osteopathy in the cranial field).
Muscle-energy Technique
Muscle-energy technique involves bending a joint just up to the point where muscular resistance to movement begins, and then holding it there while the patient gently resists. The pressure is maintained for a few seconds and then released. After a brief pause to allow the affected muscles to relax, the practitioner then moves the joint a little farther into the barrier, which will usually have shifted slightly toward improved mobility during the interval.
Strain-counterstrain Technique
Strain-counterstrain technique involves finding tender points and then manipulating the joint connected to them in order to find a position where the tenderness decreases toward zero. Once this precise angle is found, it is held for 90 seconds and then released. Like muscle-energy work, strain-counterstrain progressively increases range of motion and, it is hoped, decreases muscle spasm and pain.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release focuses on the facial tissues that surround muscles. The DO first positions the painful area either at the edge of the barrier to movement or, alternatively, at the opposite extreme. Next, while the patient breathes slowly and easily, the practitioner palpates the fascial tissues, looking for a subtle sensation that indicates the tissues are ready to “unwind.” After receiving this indication, the practitioner then helps the tissue to follow a pattern of spontaneous movement. This process is repeated over several sessions until a full release is achieved. Myofascial release is said to be especially useful in pain conditions that have persisted for months or years.
Cranial-sacral Therapy
Cranial-sacral therapy, more properly called cranial osteopathy, is a very specialized technique based on addressing tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Cranial-sacral therapy gently manipulates the cranial bones in time with the rhythm (as determined by the practitioner’s awareness), in order to repair “cranial lesions.” This therapy is helpful for numerous conditions ranging from headaches and sinus allergies to multiple sclerosis and asthma.
What Is Osteopathic Manipulation Used For?
Osteopathic manipulation is primarily used to treat musculoskeletal pain conditions, such as back pain, shoulder pain, and tension headaches. OM is specifically effective for conditions that have persisted for some time and is effective for treatment of injuries that have occurred recently. We believe that OM has numerous additional benefits, including the enhancement of overall health and well-being .
Osteopathic medical school emphasizes the whole person, and the connection between the musculoskeletal system and disease and symptoms. Osteopathic physicians cover the same curriculum as MDs at osteopathic medical schools, plus, DOs receive an additional 300 to 500 hours of specialized osteopathic training, studying the musculoskeletal system.
In sum, Osteopathic medicine is a philosophy of caring for people, not just treating symptoms. D.O.s believe in a whole person philosophy. They help their patients develop attitudes and lifestyles that don’t just fight illness, but prevent it. They give special attention to how the body’s nerves, muscles, bones and organs work together to influence health. D.O.s practice throughout the world.
D.O.s practice a whole person approach to medicine. Instead of treating specific symptoms or illnesses they regard the body as an integrated whole.
• D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system - the body's interconnected system of nerves, muscles, and bones. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways in which an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect another.
• Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive health care.
• Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated in the training and practice of osteopathic physicians.
o D.O.s are trained to use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and encourage the body's natural tendency toward good health.
o By combining all other medical procedures with OMT, D.O.s offer their patients the most comprehensive healthcare available in medicine today.
• The founder of osteopathic medicine, Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, recognized the body’s ability to heal itself and stressed preventative medicine, eating properly and keeping fit. This is something that seems so obvious to us today, but wellness was a new concept for that time.
A. WHAT IS OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE?
Osteopathic medicine is a distinct branch of medical practice. The osteopathic philosophy of medicine sees an interrelated unity in all systems of the body, with each working with the other to heal in times of illness.
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, are fully licensed physicians who practice in every medical specialty. DOs practice a whole-person approach to medicine, focused on looking beyond your symptoms to understand how lifestyle and environmental factors impact your wellbeing.
The profession is one of the fastest growing segments in health care today, with one out of every four medical students enrolled in an osteopathic medical school.
Overview
Osteopathy originated as a 19th century alternative medical approach focusing on physical manipulation. Today, osteopathic physicians study and practice the same types of medical and surgical techniques as conventional medical doctors. Some of osteopathy's original techniques still persist, however; these, taken together, are called osteopathic manipulation (OM). OM is less well-known to the public than chiropractic spinal manipulation, but it has shown promise for many of the same conditions, such as back pain and tension headaches.
History of Osteopathic Manipulation
Osteopathic medicine was founded in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still, a US physician. Physicians educated in this method were called doctors of osteopathy, or DOs. Subsequently, however, schools of osteopathic medicine became integrated with conventional medical schools, and today in the USA the license of D.O. is legally equivalent to that of M.D.
Forms of Osteopathic Manipulation (OM)
Osteopathic techniques focus attention on the spine, and devote efforts to the manipulation of soft tissues and joints outside the spine. Some DOs utilize spinal manipulation tending to make use of rapid short movements (spinal manipulation, which is a high-velocity, low-amplitude technique), and OM utilizing gentle, larger movements (mobilization, which is a low-velocity, high-amplitude technique). There are several specific osteopathic techniques in wide use. Some of the more popular are muscle-energy, counterstrain (also known as strain-counterstrain), myofascial release, and cranial-sacral therapy (formally known as osteopathy in the cranial field).
Muscle-energy Technique
Muscle-energy technique involves bending a joint just up to the point where muscular resistance to movement begins, and then holding it there while the patient gently resists. The pressure is maintained for a few seconds and then released. After a brief pause to allow the affected muscles to relax, the practitioner then moves the joint a little farther into the barrier, which will usually have shifted slightly toward improved mobility during the interval.
Strain-counterstrain Technique
Strain-counterstrain technique involves finding tender points and then manipulating the joint connected to them in order to find a position where the tenderness decreases toward zero. Once this precise angle is found, it is held for 90 seconds and then released. Like muscle-energy work, strain-counterstrain progressively increases range of motion and, it is hoped, decreases muscle spasm and pain.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release focuses on the facial tissues that surround muscles. The DO first positions the painful area either at the edge of the barrier to movement or, alternatively, at the opposite extreme. Next, while the patient breathes slowly and easily, the practitioner palpates the fascial tissues, looking for a subtle sensation that indicates the tissues are ready to “unwind.” After receiving this indication, the practitioner then helps the tissue to follow a pattern of spontaneous movement. This process is repeated over several sessions until a full release is achieved. Myofascial release is said to be especially useful in pain conditions that have persisted for months or years.
Cranial-sacral Therapy
Cranial-sacral therapy, more properly called cranial osteopathy, is a very specialized technique based on addressing tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Cranial-sacral therapy gently manipulates the cranial bones in time with the rhythm (as determined by the practitioner’s awareness), in order to repair “cranial lesions.” This therapy is helpful for numerous conditions ranging from headaches and sinus allergies to multiple sclerosis and asthma.
What Is Osteopathic Manipulation Used For?
Osteopathic manipulation is primarily used to treat musculoskeletal pain conditions, such as back pain, shoulder pain, and tension headaches. OM is specifically effective for conditions that have persisted for some time and is effective for treatment of injuries that have occurred recently. We believe that OM has numerous additional benefits, including the enhancement of overall health and well-being .
Osteopathic medical school emphasizes the whole person, and the connection between the musculoskeletal system and disease and symptoms. Osteopathic physicians cover the same curriculum as MDs at osteopathic medical schools, plus, DOs receive an additional 300 to 500 hours of specialized osteopathic training, studying the musculoskeletal system.
In sum, Osteopathic medicine is a philosophy of caring for people, not just treating symptoms. D.O.s believe in a whole person philosophy. They help their patients develop attitudes and lifestyles that don’t just fight illness, but prevent it. They give special attention to how the body’s nerves, muscles, bones and organs work together to influence health. D.O.s practice throughout the world.
D.O.s practice a whole person approach to medicine. Instead of treating specific symptoms or illnesses they regard the body as an integrated whole.
• D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system - the body's interconnected system of nerves, muscles, and bones. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways in which an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect another.
• Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive health care.
• Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated in the training and practice of osteopathic physicians.
o D.O.s are trained to use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and encourage the body's natural tendency toward good health.
o By combining all other medical procedures with OMT, D.O.s offer their patients the most comprehensive healthcare available in medicine today.
• The founder of osteopathic medicine, Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, recognized the body’s ability to heal itself and stressed preventative medicine, eating properly and keeping fit. This is something that seems so obvious to us today, but wellness was a new concept for that time.
