What is an Osteopath?
An Osteopath is someone who is trained to treat injuries to bones and muscles using pressure and movement. According to the General Osteopathic Council “Osteopathy is a way of detecting and treating damaged parts of the body such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints. When the body is balanced and efficient, just like a well tuned engine, it will function with the minimum of wear and tear, leaving more energy for living.
An osteopath is a medical professional who practices osteopathy. In the United States, osteopaths are governed by the American Osteopathic Association, and they graduate with a doctorate in osteopathy (DO) which is equivalent to an MD degree. Outside the United States, osteopaths experience different levels of regulation, and they often practice complementary medicine, without prescribing rights, the ability to perform surgery, or other medical privileges. Depending on nationality and personal tastes, some people may view an osteopathic doctor as a primary care physician, or as a supplementary healthcare provider. The discipline was founded in the late 1800s by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, who was concerned about the direction of modern medicine. He felt that medical practice focused too much on drugs and treating specific symptoms, rather than the body as a whole and its natural desire to remain healthy. He focused particularly on the musculoskeletal system, believing that strong joints,
An osteopath is a doctor who is trained in the field of osteopathic medicine. Often known as a D.O. (doctor of osteopathy), osteopaths are licensed physicians, much like M.D.s. However, osteopaths follow a different approach to general medicine. These physicians believe in the body’s ability to heal itself. Through treatment, these physicians can help to relieve unpleasant symptoms and stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities. Osteopaths see the body as being interconnected; the organs, muscles, nerves, and bones all connect to make a system, known as the musculoskeletal system. By making adjustments in the musculoskeletal system, osteopaths can encourage overall healing and treatment. There are currently more than 40,000 practicing osteopaths in the United States. They receive over 100 million visits from patients every year. What are an Osteopath’s Qualifications? Like family physicians and surgeons, osteopaths are qualified medical doctors. They are licensed by state and speci
An Osteopath uses an established, recognised system of diagnosis and treatment laying its main emphasis on the structural integrity of the body. It is distinctive in the fact that it recognises much of the pain and disability we suffer stems from abnormalities in the function of the body structure as well as damage caused to it by disease processes. An osteopath uses many of the diagnostic procedures used in conventional medical assessment and diagnosis. Its main strength lies in the unique way the patient is assessed from a mechanical, functional and postural standpoint and the manual methods of treatment applied to suit the needs of the individual patient.
