What is an Osteopathic Doctor

Osteopathic physicians are doctors who use all of the tools and technology available to modern medicine with the added benefits of a holistic philosophy and a system of hands-on diagnosis and treatment known as osteopathic manipulative medicine. Doctors of osteopathic medicine or D.O.s, emphasize helping each person achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health education, injury prevention and disease prevention.”

Education - Osteopathic medical students study all of the basic and clinical sciences expected for mastery of medicine plus approximately 200 additional hours of training in the art of osteopathic manipulative medicine. An osteopath will have undergone an extensive, four-year degree course including anatomy, physiology and pathology of the body.

What is Osteopathic Medicine?

Osteopathic Medicine is an established system of diagnosis and treatment that lays its main emphasis on the structural and functional integrity of the body. The osteopath believes that if the body is functioning to the best of its ability, then its own in-built healing mechanism can function effectively. This will promote long-term health and well-being at the same time as reducing any existing symptoms.

Osteopathy is a complementary therapy to orthodox medicine. Osteopaths are trained as primary health care practitioners in that patients often seek treatment from an osteopath without referral from their General Practitioner. The prime focus of most osteopaths is the musculoskeletal system muscles, bones and joints, in that they are vital to the healthy functioning of the body as a whole, though some osteopaths also work on internal organs ('visceral osteopathy'). Osteopathy is primarily a manual treatment (though some osteopaths do supplement this with the use of standard procedures such as ultrasound etc.). Important is the fine determination of the quality of tissues, or the movement of joint by feel (palpation).

Rather than diagnosing and treating symptoms as is done primarily in allopathic medicine, the osteopath seeks the causes of the ailment and then treats them, i.e. those factors that predispose and maintain the condition. The patient as a whole is evaluated.

Many different techniques are at the disposal of an osteopath as part of treatment, which is gentle. In addition, management may involve recommendations on posture, diet and exercise.

How Do Osteopaths Treat?

An osteopath will have undergone an extensive, four-year degree course. With the knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology of the body systems, this enables an osteopath to analyze your problems and diagnose your complaints, using a variety of clinical skills, backed-up where necessary by x-rays and other tests. If necessary, you will be referred to a specialist by your GP for a second opinion. When a full diagnosis has been made, your osteopath will explain the problem and then start treatment. This is usually gentle and rarely causes pain or discomfort. If necessary you will be advised on how to prevent the problem recurring.

What Do Osteopaths Treat?

Osteopaths treat people, diagnosing and treating the cause rather than just the symptoms themselves. Here are just a few of the many conditions that patients seek treatment for.

Backache - Affecting four out of five people at some time in their lives, backache (often referred to as Lumbago) is the most common complaint treated by osteopaths. In most cases, backache is caused by over-straining the structural components in the back. Most cases, whilst painful, are not serious if seen to promptly.

Headache - Headaches, neck and shoulder tension can be caused by stress or by activities such as sitting at a VDU all day, they normally respond well to osteopathic treatment.

Joint and muscle strain - Osteopaths are often associated with treating back pain. However osteopaths can treat joint and muscle strain in any part of the body including the hips, legs, knees, ankles, feet, wrist, elbows, shoulders, arms and ribs.

Sports injuries - Osteopathic treatment can benefit sports men and women at all levels. If you are eager to get back to your sport quickly after injury, or have a problem which is preventing you from performing at your best, osteopathic treatment can help you reach your peak level of fitness.

Pregnancy - Responsible for a great change in posture, pregnancy can cause back pain and discomfort. Many women find gentle osteopathic treatment can bring great relief. Although most osteopaths are not against using medication, osteopathic treatment can help avoid the use of drugs altogether.

After surgery - Osteopaths can help patients, particularly those whose movement has been affected by surgery.

Sciatica - This refers to irritation of the sciatic nerve that supplies the leg. However it is often used to describe any pain in the leg, whatever the cause, whether it is related to circulation, pain referred from a back injury, trauma or nerve irritation. The most common causes of sciatica can usually be successfully treated by an osteopath.

Arthritis - Normal wear and tear of the joint surface can result in arthritis or osteoarthritis. This kind of damage is not to be confused with some cases of arthritis that are caused by a disease affecting the joint surface. Osteoarthritis is a normal process associated with ageing. Usually the symptoms do not start until much later in life, if at all, and normally lead to some restriction in movement of the joints, plus some muscular aches and pains often referred to as rheumatism. Osteopathic treatment cannot reverse the wear and tear of the joint surface, but in most cases, osteopaths can offer advice on other factors, such as lifestyle, which may help with long term relief from the symptoms associated with arthritis.

Repetitive Strain Injury - Also known as RSI, this condition is commonly associated with people who work with computer keyboards for prolonged periods of time, but also includes injuries such as 'tennis elbow' and 'shin splints'. Osteopathic treatment can benefit these conditions, particularly when treated early.

Regular check-ups - In the same way that you visit your dentist to reduce the chance of fillings, regular checks with your osteopath allow potential problems to be detected and treated before they develop. Many patients who have been treated for painful conditions benefit from checks every six to twelve months. If you suffer from occasional discomfort, consider seeing an osteopath. Preventative treatment and advice can be a worth while investment in your long-term health and comfort.

For more information on Osteopathy please visit >> osteopathy.org.uk