Osteopathy

Origins and historical development :

Dr Andrew Still, an American farmer, inventor, engineer, doctor and army surgeon believed physiological structure and function to be intimately related. After losing his wife and 3 of his children to meningitis, he created osteopathy in 1872; from the Greek osteon (bone) and pathos (suffering / disease). Looking for alternatives to medical treatments of that time, he developed his technique of massage and manipulation to adjust the body’s framework to correct alignment and posture so that, in turn, the body’s systems would function optimally, resisting disease and stimulating self healing. In 1892 Dr Still set up America’s first school of osteopathic medicine, stating that anyone can find disease, but a Doctor should find health. Dr Martin Littlejohn, a student of Dr Still, then travelled to the England around 1900 and founded The British School of Osteopathy in London, in 1917.

Osteopathy is an holistic therapy, focussing on compassionate care and treatment for the person as a whole, rather than a collection of symptoms and un-connected body parts. An osteopath is therefore interested in the cause of any given problem, with lifestyle, posture, injury, mental health and emotional stress all being considered important factors that can influence the musculo-skeletal framework and physiological health. A concept further advanced by Fyette and often referred to as ‘total lesion’.

In the 1930’s the American osteopath Dr William Garner Sutherland expanded his practice to examine the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain and has a certain rhythmic timing to its flow. Dr Sutherland believed that interference to this rhythm can cause imbalances within the body. He discovered that gentle manipulation of the cranial bones and joints can improve blood circulation, lymph and sinus fluid drainage in the head. Useful for patients suffering from pain in the face or head, ‘cranial osteopathy’ is said to be particularly effective with babies and young children, as at this stage of development there is more mobility and flexibility in the cranium bones, before they fuse together creating the hard skull of an adult.

Gaining licensed status in the US in 1972, osteopathy was officially recognised in the UK by the 1993 Osteopathy Act; and in 1996 the UK General Council of Osteopaths was established. It is also popular across Europe, Australasia and Japan.

What to expect during a treatment :

The first visit to an osteopath will normally involve a comprehensive case history and physical examination of how the patient sits, stands, lies down and bends. The practitioner will also feel for tension in the soft tissues, ligaments and muscles. Other tests may also be carried out, such as blood pressure, lung functionality and reflexes. Treatment will then commence with soft tissue massage and joint manipulation – which may cause painless, if at first disconcerting, ‘clicking’ noises. The whole process may take up to an hour, with subsequent sessions lasting nearer 30 minutes. The number of sessions and intervals is dependent upon the condition to be treated and vary from 1 visit to correct a misalignment, to several sessions for longer term problems requiring more corrective work. It can also be used as an on going treatment to prevent problems arising.

Conditions suitable for treatment :

Suitable for musculo-skeletal complaints such as back and neck pain, joint pain, RSI, sports injuries and frozen shoulder; osteopathy can also manipulate the spinal nerves and visceral organs to help with sciatica, respiratory, digestive and gastrointestinal problems.

Cranio osteopathy can also help children with glue ear, colic and other childhood disorders.