What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a natural medical science that considers the human body a complete unit, an integrated system of structures and functions that are inter-related. Therefore, an abnormality in one structure may lead to abnormal function of the whole body, and vice versa. Additionally, the body has self-regulating abilities, and is possessive of the inherent potential to heal itself.

Osteopathic practitioners strive to combine and apply these keystone principles into facilitating comprehensive treatment that can help to restore functionality in an ailing individual. This is accomplished through a series of gentle and controlled manipulations that correct the imbalance of the structural elements of the body.

For example, the practitioner can work on joint motion, muscles or fasciae to improve circulation, lymphatic drainage and nervous impulses that will lead to the restoration of the proper function of all body units.


Definition of Osteopathy

"Osteopathy is that science of system of healing which emphasizes:

a) the diagnosis of diseases by physical methods with a view to discovering not just the symptoms but the causes of disease, in connection with misplacements of tissue, obstruction of fluids and the interference with the forces of the organism;

(b) the treatment of diseases by scientific manipulations in connection with which the operating physician mechanically uses and applies the inherent resources of the organism to overcome disease and establish health, either by removing or correcting the mechanical disorders and thus permitting nature to recuperate the diseased part, or by producing and establishing anti-toxic and anti-septic conditions to counteract toxic and septic conditions of the organism or its parts;

(c) the application of mechanical and operative surgery in setting fractured or dislocated bones, repairing lacerations and removing abnormal tissue growths or tissue elements when these become dangerous to the organic life."

                J.M. Littlejohn