What is Osteopathy? Benefits, Treatments and How It Works
Our bodies are amazing. They are designed to heal themselves. However, this can only happen when they are functioning as they should. Osteopathy is a branch of healthcare that focuses on restoring balance and function to the body.
Unlike mainstream healthcare which focuses on treating the symptoms presented by the body, osteopaths take a holistic approach. They look at all factors that contribute to your current state of health and work towards helping the body heal itself.
Below, we answer the question, ‘What is osteopathy’ We also look at how it works and why you should consider it as a treatment option.
What Does an Osteopath Do?
Osteopath treatment is a form of manual therapy that focuses on the musculoskeletal system i.e. the bones, muscles, joints, and connective tissues.
Osteopaths are trained to diagnose and treat disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system by applying various techniques to restore balance, reduce pain, and improve mobility. They place an emphasis on the relationship between structure and function.
These health professionals assess the entire body, not just the pain area. Their holistic approach allows them to identify the root cause of the discomfort.
Structural and Cranial Osteopathy?
This branch of healthcare is further divided into two approaches:
- Cranial – This is a gentle approach that focuses on the subtle movements of the skull, spine, and central nervous system. It focuses on restoring the natural movements that occur in the cranial bones and is used to treat headaches, migraines, stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, jaw pain, and even baby feeding issues.
- Structural – This is a more direct and physical approach. It focuses on restoring alignment and function to the musculoskeletal system through techniques such as joint mobilization, soft tissue massage, and stretching. It is commonly used to treat sports injuries as well as pain in the back, neck, muscles, and joints. It can also be used to address postural problems.
Benefits of Osteopathic Treatment
There are many reasons to consider this path of healthcare. Below are some ways that it can have a positive impact on your health:
Pain relief and management
Many people who turn to this approach to healthcare do so when dealing with pain. Osteopathic practitioners apply a variety of techniques to provide relief from pain.
This approach is effective at relieving and managing back pain, joint discomfort, muscular pain, and headaches without the use of medications.
Improved flexibility and mobility
Whether you’re a high-performance athlete looking for ways to improve your performance or someone looking to reverse the effects of years of sitting and poor posture, you will find that osteopathy will help to heal your body.
Techniques used in this approach of healthcare will help improve your range of motion and increase joint flexibility. You will be able to move more comfortably and freely.
Reduced stress and tension
Many of the health conditions we struggle with today are related to increased stress and tension within the body. The techniques used in this treatment approach promote relaxation by improving circulation and reducing muscle tension.
This holistic approach to healthcare can help to treat various conditions including tension headaches, anxiety, and sleep disorders. It could be exactly what you need to manage chronic conditions where traditional medication has proven ineffective.
Contact a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
If you’re seeking a more hands-on and holistic approach to restoring health, osteopathy may be right for you. At 360 Osteopathy, we work to address various health issues by getting to the root cause and helping the body do what it does best: heal itself.
Contact us now to schedule a consultation and start your journey towards better health.
