What is osteopathy and when is it recommended?

There are different disciplines that seek to approach the human body from a holistic perspective. Osteopathy is a therapeutic branch whose goal is to restore the balance of the body using manual techniques. Here we tell you more about it.

Osteopathic medicine or osteopathy is dedicated to preserving the perfect harmony of organic functions within the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic and nervous spectrum. Likewise, it is a complement to conventional medicine.

It should not replace a professional medical approach.

What is Osteopathy ?

It is a therapeutic branch which seeks prevent and treat health ailments through a combination of manual techniques and non-invasive procedures. He has extensive knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human body, focusing on restoring homeostasis to all organs and systems.

Likewise, this discipline has a holistic view of health, that is, it analyzes and approaches the human body as a unit and not as a series of independent organs. For osteopaths, alterations in one system affect and compromise the functioning of others.

An example would be mental health issues that affect gut well-being. As is the case with irritable bowel syndrome.

What is?

Osteopathic therapies aim to relief of ailments by external stimuli that seek to generate internal responses to restore full function. Unlike traditional medicine, whose focus is on treating the focus that triggers the discomfort.

And study carried out between 2013 and 2020 showed that osteopathy could be promising in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. According to the authors, it shows effective evidence for relieving chronic low back pain and back pain during pregnancy.

Osteopathy was developed in the United States in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still., currently recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). Likewise, this professional practice is legal in the United States, England and France. Meanwhile, in Spain it is included in the skills of physiotherapy.

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Is there a relationship between osteopathy and physiotherapy?

osteopathy and physiotherapy They have a very close relationship, since both disciplines use manual techniques and non-invasive maneuvers to correct health conditions.

Moreover, they are intended relieve pain in the patient, restore individual well-being and improve quality of life. Therefore, it is common for the two branches to work together for better results.

Benefits of osteopathic medicine

The main advantage of osteopathic therapy is its property of minimal interference and invasion of the human body. In general, it is governed by holism and globality in the approach to ailments.

The osteopath studies the origin and evolution of the disease, without direct intrusion into a focus or discomfort. At a time, the discipline promotes and stimulates the self-healing of the human bodywithout resorting to invasive techniques, such as drugs and surgery.

On the other hand, there are few undesirable side effects of osteopathy. There are bodily reactions, but these are considered helpful in restoring organ function. Likewise, fatigue and dizziness They are generally explained by the state of recovery to which the body is exposed after the sessions.

Also one of the biggest benefits of this therapy is the reduction in the consumption of certain medications. However, people should not give up medical treatment at any time, without strict professional approval.

Types of osteopathy

Osteopathy is classified into 3 main branches. Each aims to address different groups of organs to relieve people’s discomfort.

1. Structural osteopathy

This group focuses attention on the musculoskeletal system and the musculoskeletal system. Likewise, he carries out a detailed study and a global approach to bones, muscles, joints, tendons, fascias and ligaments.

However, structural osteopathy has shown inconclusive results in the management of osteoarthritis, for example. So they say scientific studies.

2. Visceral osteopathy

Its main objective is the holistic analysis of all hollow and solid viscera of the human body, with particular emphasis on the gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems. Therefore, it would be possible to identify and treat conditions such as chronic gastritis.

3. Cranial osteopathy

Cranial osteopathy aims to address brain structures and their intimate relationship with the central nervous system. Pay special attention to changes such as vertigomigraine and postural problems. He also has a great interest in ENT and endocrine examination.

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Some of the most common osteopathic techniques

Osteopaths use a wide variety of manual techniques and non-invasive procedures to relieve ailments. Among the most used are the following:

• Muscle Energy Technique: It applies progressive resistance to the active contraction of the person’s musculature. It therefore makes it possible to treat the muscular weaknessreduce inflammation and improve joint activity.
• Jones Technique: it is a question of locating the sensitive zones and the trigger points of the pain, as well as the angles of mobilization which reduce the evil. It is useful in muscle contractures, neuralgia and musculoskeletal overload.
• myofascial release: It aims to release the fascia that covers the muscles and reduce the pain caused by its abnormal adhesion.
• Technique of trust: It is based on the realignment of the joints through quick, painless and controlled movements. It usually causes an immediate feeling of relief. This is the best known technique.

When is osteopathy recommended?

Osteopathy is useful in a wide variety of organic and functional disorders. In the first place, the person must go to a doctor to obtain an accurate diagnosis of the disease.

In this way, the specialist will be able to guide the treatment and propose the various therapeutic alternatives. Some of the most common indications for osteopathy are:

• Musculoskeletal problems: contractures, tendonitis, sprainsradiculopathy, trauma and degenerative joint disorders.
• Gastrointestinal disorders: gas, constipation, gastritis, abdominal cramps, irritable bowel and indigestion.
• Respiratory diseases: bronchitis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Genitourinary disorders: dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea and urinary incontinence.
• Problems during pregnancy: lower back pain, sciatica, pubic pain.
• Cranial alterations: trigeminal neuralgiadizziness, migraine, insomnia and chronic fatigue.
• Pediatric conditions: infant colic.

Contraindications of osteopathy

osteopathic therapy contraindicated in people with signs of structural bone weakness by tumoral, rheumatic, inflammatory processes or vascular alterations. This is the case for patients with rheumatoid arthritisbone metastases, fractures, unstable joints, osteopenia and recent surgeries.

Other conditions in which osteopathy is contraindicated are:

• Carotid or vertebrobasilar disease.
• hypercoagulable states.
• deep vein thrombosis.
• Respiratory infections.
• psychiatric disorders.
• Open wound.
• tumors.

Ongoing medical supervision will ensure the success of the treatment

Osteopathy is a therapeutic discipline that uses external stimuli through manual techniques to relieve various conditions in the body. It is therefore a complementary tool to professional management which should not replace the treatment established by a specialist.

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