About Osteopathy.

History

Osteopathy was created during the American Civil War, by Dr Andrew Taylor Still. When his family were struck down with meningitis, Still was dismayed by the medical profession's inability to help, and all his children died. Still was an academic, but also had a background as a mechanic, and believed that health is related to the structure of the body. When the structure changes, the various systems of the body get out of tune, and ill health follows. His disappointment, with the medical profession of the time, was in its failure to recognise this truth, and with its complete inability to help his children. He decided the world deserved an alternative, and began a quest to develop a better way.

In the late 19th Century, Osteopathy was considered a complete system of medicine in its own right, independent of the allopathic system. Osteopathic hospitals were popular, and claimed great success at treating all kinds of health problems, from the minor to the very serious. In 1910, following major reforms of healthcare regulation in America, the Osteopathic colleges were required to move in line with the allopathic medical model, and thus lost many of their distinctive principles and practices.

Still's protégé, John Martin Littlejohn, brought Osteopathy to the UK in order to preserve its unique philosophy, where he founded the British School of Osteopathy in London (website), still one of the largest and most progressive training colleges in the world. His students went on to found colleges in Classical Osteopathy (JWCCO Maidstone), preserving as much as possible the original principles for future generations. Classical Osteopaths believe absolutely that structural change is a feature of all disease.

Today, Osteopathy is largely thought of as a system of care for musculo-skeletal problems, such as back pain and sports injuries. This common misconception does not do justice to its full capabilities. In fact the early Osteopaths treated hardly any back pain! Whilst it does not take the place of medicine in cases where acute hospital care is necessary, it nevertheless has much to offer in a broad range of problems, often when other systems of healthcare have given up (flu epidemic 1918). Many people turn to Osteopathy having been disappointed by the allopathic approach.

Whilst Osteopathic training has some things in common with medical training (Osteopaths train in anatomy and physiology), Osteopathy is not a branch of medicine. It was developed as a separate discipline, with a unique approach and a philosophy of health and disease that is very distinctive (Osteopathic Philosophy).

How it works

Osteopathy works by removing structural obstacles to health. Whilst proven effective for musculoskeletal problems, such as back pain and sports injury, it is a also a system of healing for the whole person.

Throughout life, we acquire postural changes, in the course of sport, injury, work, pregnancy, illness and emotional trauma. Events and habits leave imprints and stress patterns on the supporting structures of the body. Sooner or later, these stresses, if not resolved, can lead to excessive force on joints and muscles, causing pain and injury. Nerve and blood supply also become affected, leading to ill-health, but long before that, everyday functioning becomes less efficient.

As well as work on muscles and joints, Osteopaths can work with the organs, nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue, of every body system. The Osteopath will typically use massage, stretching, articulation, and manipulation. The aim is to create balance where there is imbalance, and freedom where there is restriction. The Classical Osteopath will work to correct or adjust the spine towards correct alignment, thereby improving the regulation of the whole body.

By identifying and reducing the causes of problems, Osteopathy enables the body to heal itself, to become more efficient and resilient in the process.

The Osteopathic Profession

Osteopathy is an officially recognised, safe, drug-free method of health care, regulated under law in Britain and much of the world.

All Osteopaths in Britain have undergone a rigorous, 4 or 5 year training in human sciences - anatomy, physiology, pathology, and clinical diagnosis - and must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council, the governing body set up by Parliament to regulate Osteopaths. The GOsC determines the standards, codes of conduct and disciplinary procedures for the whole profession.

Remit and referrals

Because Osteopaths treat people and not diseases, causes and not symptoms, it is not always possible to say 'Osteopathy can help with this and not with that'. Two patients with identical symptoms will have their own set of circumstances. That is why Osteopathy is Bespoke Healthcare.

Occasionally the Osteopath will need your doctor's opinion, for example if blood tests or x-rays are required. Very rarely, the problem will require urgent medical intervention, particularly in acute or life-threatening illness, which can masquerade as simple aches and pains. The Osteopath is trained to recognise such cases, and will make the necessary referral to the GP or hospital.

Specialisations

In some situations osteopaths also use visceral (work onto internal organs) and/or cranial techniques (working with the subtle ebb-and-flow of living tissue). Some Osteopaths specialise in certain diseases or age groups, or work with pregnancy or babies, sports clubs and corporations.