What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy In A Nutshell

Osteopaths are primary healthcare providers who work with the body and recognise the important relationship between structure and function. Osteopathy is a hands-on treatment approach which aims to address any barriers affecting function. The philosophy is that better function leads to better health which in turn leads to a better quality of life.

Osteopaths try to look beyond the site of pain in order to determine if there is dysfunction in distant areas of the body. The pain site is not always the primary problem. Often a dysfunctional area can have far reaching effects resulting in pain experienced in seemingly unrelated body regions.

Training

Osteopathic training is four or five years depending on the teaching institute and consists of in-depth anatomy, physiology, pathology, osteopathic theory and techniques, and supervised clinical training. All osteopaths in NZ must hold an Annual Practising Certificate, be registered with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand and complete professional development requirements each year.

How Do Osteopaths Treat?

Osteopathy uses a variety of manual techniques as the patient requires. The most commonly recognised branch of osteopathy uses musculoskeletal techniques which focus on the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Visceral techniques look at how the mobility of the organs can affect their function and that of the musculoskeletal system. Cranial osteopathy is a very gentle but effective form of treatment which addresses the nervous system and the fluid dynamics within the body. The very subtle nature of cranial osteopathy makes it ideal for treating babies. Often treatment will incorporate elements from each branch. Below are some of the techniques an osteopath may choose to use:

Soft tissue techniques – various massage methods

Stretching – lengthening a muscle to ease tension

Muscle energy techniques – alternating between resistance and relaxation of muscles to help them relax

Strain/counter-strain – positioning a muscle in a place of ease while creating a counter-stretch on the opposing muscle

Functional – creating a return to normal movement by gently moving tissues in a way that reduces barriers

Articulation – moving joints through their range of motion

Gentle manipulation – using minimal force and high specificity, creating a movement at a restricted joint to mobilise it. This is where you might hear a “click”

Cranial – an extremely gentle hand contact which feels the ebb and flow of cerebrospinal fluid as well as the connection between the cranium (skull) and sacrum (in the pelvis) and the effect this has on the connective tissue fascia throughout the body

Visceral – gentle techniques to allow organs and their associated structures to relax and move more freely.