What Is Osteopathy?

Benefits And Goals Of Osteopathy

While conventional medicine often focuses on alleviating the patient's symptoms, osteopathy goes beyond this by aiming for total health in mind, body, and spirit. Osteopathic physicians try to take a holistic view of the patient's overall health, and they treat the patient as a person, avoiding investigating the patient's symptoms alone. Osteopathic physicians may have more time to spend at each appointment than patients would receive with a conventional doctor, and osteopaths emphasize patient education. They instruct patients in steps that could minimize injury risk or illness. Generally, osteopathy uses a medication-free approach to treatment, and the majority of treatments involve the practitioner's touch. Since no medications are involved, the risk of potential side effects is much lower than with other treatments. Studies have shown osteopathy may be of particular benefit to patients experiencing chronic lower back pain, and patients who are pregnant can safely benefit from osteopathy by seeking out an osteopath trained in the care of pregnant individuals. Small studies have shown osteopathic care is also beneficial for patients with Bell's palsy, reflux, tendonitis, arthritis, epilepsy, degenerative disc issues, and fibromyalgia. Evidence suggests it can also help aid recovery after hip or knee replacements, and it can be an effective treatment for uncomplicated neck pain (other than whiplash).

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