Osteopathy: What It Is and Why You Should Go

Osteopathy is a non-invasive, drug-free form of holistic medicine that uses physical manipulations and focuses on the health of the entire body. It’s almost like a mixture of physiotherapy and chiropractic that treats not only your muscles and bones but all aspects of your health. It is predicated on the belief that the body is inherently a self-regulating mechanism, and works toward improving your body, mind, and spirit.

Osteopaths use manual techniques to regulate the body and balance all systems. Because this form of healing is focused on the idea that all parts of the body are connected and function in harmony with one another, that means that an osteopath might never even touch the particular problem area that they are trying to heal. By manipulating the body, osteopaths stimulate the flow of blood, allowing the body to send more of it to areas that need assistance to heal.

Many people call osteopathy a form of preventative medicine, but it can also help with previously diagnosed issues. Typically patients go to osteopaths for aches, pains, strains, sprains and other issues associated with the musculoskeletal system, as they would with a chiropractor or physiotherapist. However, studies have shown positive effects in the treatment of a much broader spectrum of health issues, including but not limited to: epilepsy; irritable bowel syndrome; asthma; tendonitis; fibromyalgia; sciatica; migraines; and degenerative disc and joint disease. I’ve even heard of an extreme case of an osteopath ridding a patient of breast cancer!

Aside from previously diagnosed issues, seeing an osteopath regularly will help keep your body regulated and healthy. It can decrease the stress and stiffness in your joints and muscles, reduce blood pressure, increase circulation, improve digestion, and it is even said to be able to help the body adapt to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, which can result in a reduction in scars and stretch marks! Additionally, osteopaths master techniques which work to prevent diseases such as cancer, which makes sense, because if your body is always working to keep itself healthy, it follows that it will be less susceptible to sickness.

So if you want to keep your body in optimal health, or if you have an existing problem that conventional medicine is just not helping, then go have a chat with your local osteopathic practitioner!