What is Osteopathy?
Like Physiotherapy and Chiropractic, Osteopathy is a system for treating neck, back and limb pain or dysfunction
however, Osteopaths also treat certain visceral or constitutional complaints.
Osteopathy is a broad, integrated system for treating both muscle and joint problems
for the whole musculo-skeletal system simultaneously as well as taking an overall interest in your heath and wellbeing through diet, exercise and lifestyle.
Osteopaths believe that the muscles and bones work together at the joints, that it is not a system of muscles independent of the bones and that it is not a system of bones independent of muscles - it is an integrated system of muscles and bones working together in a balanced way.
Pain and dysfunction result when the musculo-skeletal system is injured and
out of balance so much that the body can not heal itself. By working on both
aspects, of muscles and the joints simultaneously maximum results can be achieved
and balance restored so that your body can continue to heal.
Both muscle and joint dysfunction is corrected through soft tissue techniques, massage, myofascial release, deep tissue release, trigger point therapy,
stretching, articulation, mobilisation and manipulation. As well, certain visceral or constitutional conditions such as headaches, constipation, spastic or irritable bowel syndrome, digestive complaints and sluggish lymphatics are treated through various Osteopathic release techniques, gastro-intestinal manipulation and lymphatic drainage to mention a few.
Osteopaths are trained and qualified to assess and diagnose your problem and then provide you with a treatment plan. A full report is provided following the initial consultation and with your permission can be sent to your medical practitioner.
What is the Origin of Osteopathy?
It is well to remember that the first drug to be manufactured was aspirin in 1899 by Bayer. Prior to that medical doctors had a more diverse role than today, dispencing herbal remedies and other plant drugs such as foxglove (1785) and morphine (1803), mineral drugs including large doses of heavy metals, tending, cuts and
abrasions, stitching wounds, setting broken bones and performing Osteopathy. In the Hollywood Westerns, doctors are often referred to as "sore bones".
It is not surprising that in settling America lots of injuries occurred and new medical schools flourished. The first Osteopathic college was established by a medical doctor, Doctor Andrew Taylor Still, in 1892 in Kirksville Missouri. Unhappy with the way other doctors prescribed the medicines of the day
to excess Still sought more holistic approaches. He rejected the idea that germs alone cause disease but that diseases where more common when bones moved out of place and disrupted the flow of blood or the flow of nervous impulses making the body more
susceptible to disease. He therefore concluded that one could cure diseases by manipulating to restore the interrupted flow.
Observing that the human body had much in common with the machines he worked on in earlier life, Still approached the study of the human body as one would approach the study of a machine. Over time and with his study of medicine he developed a series of specialised physical treatments for which he coined the name 'Osteopathy'.
Today Osteopathy is taught in 19 different medical schools in the United States
and three universities in Australia.
What is the Difference between Osteopathy and Chiropractic?
Chiropractic was started just after Osteopathy by Danial David Palmer in 1897 in Davenport Iowa. In September 1895 D.D. Palmer, a magnetic and spiritual healer manipulated the forth or fifth dorsal vertebra in the upper back of a Negro janitor Harvey Lillard and claimed to restore his hearing fully after 17 years of deafness. D.D. Palmer coined the term 'Chiropractic' meaning to practise by hand with manipulating or adjusting spinal vertebra 'with one move'. In so doing he dispensed with the Osteopathic approach of first working with the supporting muscles and ligaments in conjunction with re-alignment of the musculo-skeletal system.
The Osteopathic treatment approach therefore provides a broad range of both direct (soft tissue massage, manipulation, muscular energy techniques, mobilisation, articulation, proprioceptor neuro-muscular
facilitation and stretching muscle, myofascial release techniques) and indirect techniques (functional strain/ counter strain, posture, exercise, diet, supplements,
visceral and constitutional) integrated to formulate the most effective approach indicated by the clinical diagnosis.
Therefore mainstream Chiropractic is more a system of joint release only while Osteopathy addresses the supporting tissue involvement prior to joint mobilisation and gentle manipulation.
What is the Difference between Osteopathy and Physiotherapy?
Where Physiotherapy is primarily a soft tissue modality using some hands on techniques
and often incorporating machines such as ultra-sound and micro-wave, Osteopathy combines this soft tissue approach with biomechanical re-alignment through manipulation of the skeletal joints of the neck, spine, pelvis and all the joints of the limbs.
Osteopathy describes a musculoskeletal system, a system of muscles and bones working together to create movement at our joints, that muscles don't work independently of the skeleton and the skeleton doesn't work independently of the muscles, they work together.
Dysfunction is therefore both muscular and skeletal. To maximise the most efficient and fastest recovery Osteopaths believe that both aspects need to be addressed simultaneously.
What does the Training Involve / How Safe is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is the fastest growing and safest allied health profession in Australia. Osteopaths are registered with every state medical board in Australia. Osteopaths like general practitioners are classified as primary care practitioners meaning they are trained and registered to diagnose and treat
in Osteopathy. To be registered, Osteopaths must complete a science degree and a post graduate masters degree in Osteopathy, a total of five years full-time tertiary training. This involves a two year internship where real patients are treated in an out-patients clinic.
The training is broad and diverse and includes a wide range of techniques including neck, spinal and pelvic mobilisation, manipulation and balancing, cranial, cranio-sacral and sacro-occipital techniques including jaw or TMJ (tempro-mandibular joint) re-alignment, soft tissue massage, deep tissue massage, myo-fascial and neuro-muscular release techniques, trigger point therapy, stretching, strain / counter strain techniques and visceral techniques for constitutional problems of the cardio-vascular, gastro-intestinal, pulmonary, lymphatic and uro-genetal systems.
Osteopathy is a very safe, gentle and effective system because of the time taken in preparing the soft tissues prior to joint mobilisation and so safe it is used on children, the elderly, pregnant women and even new born babies.
What Type of Injuries / Conditions do Osteopaths Treat?
Osteopaths treat all musculo-skeletal injuries and dysfunction of every part of the body as well as visceral or constitutional problems. Osteopaths take a holistic approach to your problems with a bio-mechanical re-alignment and balancing emphasis in conjunction with a keen interest in your diet, nutrition, posture, exercise and lifestyle as these impact directly and indirectly on your health and wellbeing. They are wellness practitioners.
Injuries and dysfunction can occur from incorrect lifting, falls and sprains, horse, bike and car accidents, from sporting injuries, from bad posture or a bad work station at work, on the computer and from general slouching particularly in the car and relaxing at home.
Osteopaths treat all muscles and joints of the body including the neck, spine, ribs and pelvis, the hips, legs, knees, ankles and feet, the shoulder girdle, arms, elbows, wrists and hands and even the jaw or temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ). Below are a few examples of some of the conditions that Osteopaths treat.
# Jaw pain and dysfunction, clenching and grinding of your teeth
# Cranial Osteopathy
# Cervical or neck pain including whiplash injuries
# Headaches and migraines
# Thoracic or back pain including rib pain and sternum pain
# Lower back pain, pelvic pain, hip pain and gluteal or buttock pain
# Sciatica and referred pain, ITB pain
# Curvature of the spine, scoliosis and spinal dysfunction
# Subluxations, back strain, back injury, correct alignment and musculo-skeletal balance
# Frozen shoulder, shoulder girdle, stero-clavicular and acromio-clavicular pain
# Elbow pain, wrist pain, hand and finger pain
# Tennis elbow, golfers elbow and other sports injuries
# Knee pain, ankle pain, foot pain including plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia, toe pain
# Sprained ankles including Achilles tendon pain
# Muscle spasm and cramps including dietary advice / magnesium supplementation
# Muscle and ligament strains and tears of arms and legs eg calf tears, hamstring tears
# Heat or ice, when to apply
# Lymphatic drainage, bloating, abdominal cramps and pain, constipation, sluggish bowel
# Postural correction, movement and exercise, how to sit, move and sleep with back pain
# Spinal analysis / spinal assessment, diagnosis and treatment or management plan
# Full medical report and treatment plan provided with all initial consultations
# Work cover assessment / treatment including RSI (repetitive strain injuries) from overuse
# Ergonomic assessment and advice
# Medico-legal reports, corporate assessments
# Pregnancy, neonatal and childcare treatment and advice
# Arthritis pain and stiffness relief, dietary and supplement advice
# Supplements to maximise healing and minimise injury especially sports nutrition
What Happens in an Osteopathic Session?
An initial Osteopathic session last for 30 to 40 minutes depending on the complexity of your problem. On arrival you will be asked to fill out a form with your
relevant details.
Once you are with the Osteopath a full history is taken of your condition, your presenting symptoms and any signs or triggers you may have noticed which can be of great help in understanding the background to your problem. So that the Osteopath can examine you and then subsequently treat you, you may be asked to remove some of your clothing > Women are provided with a clean hospital gown.
The Osteopath then performs a full and thorough examination, may do various orthopaedic or neurological tests and
examines any x-rays you may have with you. It may be necessary in some severe or complex cases to have x-rays taken before proceeding with treatment if you don't already have them. Once the Osteopath is satisfied with the examination and investigations a diagnosis is made. The diagnosis and treatment plan will be discussed with you before treatment commences.
The treatment approach has been mentioned above but will usually commence with a thorough soft tissue work up involving extensive therapeutic massage and various
Osteopathic release techniques so that the joint restriction can be corrected more easily and more gently. The emphasis is to balance the musculo-skeletal system especially the pelvis and to mobilise any
painful restricted spinal and peripheral joint.
Following the initial consultation a medical report is prepared listing the complaint history, the examination findings, the diagnosis, treatment plan, response to the initial treatment, advise on what to do and what not to do especially regarding work, sport, exercising, stretching and general movement and recommendations on how to get the most out of your treatment. You will be advised when to have your follow up treatment and given an idea as to how long it will take to correct your problem which will depend on whether your problem is a
recent acute injury or a chronic complaint.
Can I have Osteopathy on my private medical insurance?
Most private health funds give benefits for Osteopathic treatment. Reimbursement will depend on the insurer and the plan you have chosen.
Contact the helpline of your insurance company who will explain the actual benefits and methods of claim for your individual policy. If your
Health Fund is a member of HICAPS we can reimburse your benefit at City Clinic.
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