What is Osteopathy?
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Osteopathy is a whole body system of healthcare. As a complement to orthodox medicine, osteopathy defines its subject as the whole person. It takes into account not only the physical symptoms but also the patient’s lifestyle, attitudes and overall health.
The osteopath seeks to restore a balance within the structural integrity of the body (muscle, joints, organ systems (viscera) connective tissue etc). Treatment focuses not only on the local area of pain but also the whole body in relation to it. This helps to reduce patient symptoms as well as encouraging other body systems to function efficiently such as the respiratory, neurological and digestive systems. A founding principle of Osteopathy is that structure governs function, that is to say that each part of the body is designed to carry out its function efficiently. When the body's structure becomes damaged or less healthy, it reduces the body’s ability to function optimally. |
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