Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a form of manual healthcare that recognises the important link between the structure of the body and the way it functions, including its capacity to heal itself.

Osteopaths focus on the following components functioning as a holistic unit:

• skeleton
• joints
• muscles
• nerves
• circulation
• connective tissue
• and internal organs.

Range of Techniques

Osteopaths use a wide range of hands-on techniques to identify important types of dysfunctions in your body.

• Soft tissues massage
• High Velocity Low Amplitude (HVLA) Technique (similar to a chiropractic adjustment)
• Joint mobilisation
• Dry needling
• Muscle Energy Technique (MET) / Stretching
• Balanced Ligamentous Tension
• Counterstrain
• Functional Method
• Myofascial Release
• Osteopathic Cranial Manipulative Medicine
• Visceral Manipulation

Osteopaths Treat More Than You Think

Osteopaths are known to treat different areas of the body such as:

• back and neck pain
• pelvic pain
• sciatica
• shoulder
• elbow pain
• hip and groin pain
• knee pain
• ankle sprains
• foot pain
• bursitis
• tendonitis
• sports injuries
• posture
• seniors and pregnancy.

History of Osteopathy

Osteopathy was founded by Dr Andrew Taylor Still in 1874, who was a doctor on the Missouri frontier. He discovered that health can be realised only when all of the tissues and cells of the body function together in harmonious motion.

Osteopathy is based on a human being's innate capacity for self-healing, Dr Still believed that if the osteopath could remove the obstructions in the system, nature would provide the healing.

Osteopathy worldwide

The osteopathic profession is established in over 50 countries and makes a significant contribution to healthcare across the globe according to a report released by the Osteopathic International Alliance (OIA).

CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Osteopathy in Australia

Globally Australia has been at the forefront of osteopathy for decades. Osteopathy has been practised in Australia for over 100 years and has been taught in universities since the early 1980s.

In Australia, osteopaths are government-registered practitioners who complete a minimum of five years of university training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general medical diagnosis and osteopathic techniques.