subject: Doreen Osteopath: What Is Osteopathy? [print this page] Osteopathy is a kind of manual medicine which recognises the significant link between the structure of the body and exactly how it works. Osteopaths deal with how the skeleton, joints, muscles, nerves, circulation, connective tissue and internal organs perform as a holistic unit. Using professional analysis, diagnosis plus a wide variety of hands-on methods, osteopaths can recognize important types of dysfunction in your body. Osteopathic treatment employs techniques for example stretching and massage for general treatment of the soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) together with mobilisation of particular joints and soft tissues.
In Australia, osteopaths are government licensed professionals who finish at least five years university education in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general medical diagnosis along with osteopathic techniques. Osteopaths are primary healthcare professionals and they are educated to identify conditions which demand medical referral. Also, they are trained to accomplish ordinary medical examinations of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.
Osteopathy is covered by a lot of private health funds and also the Medicare Enhanced Primary Care scheme. Osteopaths are authorized providers for workers compensation schemes, motor accident insurers and also the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Exactly what treatment strategies do Osteopaths use?
Osteopaths employ a large range of treatment methods including:
Massage and stretching methods, Articulation strategies, in which joints are mobilised by being passively taken through their range of motion. Muscle Energy procedures, in which contracted muscles are released by alternately being stretched and made to work against resistance. Counterstrain strategies, which achieve release of restriction by placing the affected joint or muscle in a position of comfort, while applying a "Counter" stretch to the antagonists of the tight muscles.
Functional techniques, which involve gentle mobilisation of joints in a way that "probes" barriers to normal activity until a way is found through the restriction. Manipulation, which may be utilised when it is correct and secure to do so, though it is not the mainstay of many Osteopathic treatments. Osteopathic manipulations are carried out by using minimum force levels in order to increase protection and minimise patient discomfort.
A number of Osteopaths also use what is called "Osteopathy in the Cranial field", which is a gentle release strategy specifically suited to young children and the bodily frail.
"Visceral" procedures are utlized in the management of problems affecting internal organs. These include gentle and rhythmical stretching of the visceral areas.
All Osteopathic treatments are personalized to the needs of the individual patient, and methods are selected that are correct for the patients needs.
What Issues Can Osteopathy Treat?
Virtually any problem which affects your muscles, joints, or nerves can be helped by Osteopathy. Common conditions encompass painful conditions for example
* Arthritis* Back pain as well as neck ache, including whiplash
* Headaches and migraines* Pregnancy-related conditions for example back pain and stress incontinence
* Upper limb work-related issues, also known as repetitive strain injury (RSI)
* Sports injuries
Is osteopathic treatment secure?
Osteopathy boasts one of the best safety data of any medically-related occupation. Osteopaths are educated to identify any problem which may make Osteopathic treatment inadvisable, and will refer patients for proper medical attention in such cases. In the same way a Doctor considers safety as the most important factor in determining the correct medicine for a particular individual, an Osteopath would also choose the most correct style of treatment with safety as the prime consideration. Your osteopath would discuss any risk related with a particular treatment during your meeting.
Do I require a referral to visit an osteopath?
Private patients don't need a medical referral to go to an Osteopath. A referral is only necessary if you wish to consult an Osteopath under Medicare's Enhanced primary care program or the Veterans Affairs scheme.
