What is Osteopathy?
The term osteopathy is derived from Greek, combining "osteon," meaning "bone," and "pathos," meaning "to suffer." Therefore, it can be expressed in Turkish as "to suffer from bone pain."
Osteopathy is a treatment method first applied in the 1870s by Dr. Andrew Tylor Still in the United States. Today, osteopathy is recognized as a scientific treatment by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is a holistic approach to the body and diseases.
Osteopathy is a highly demanded treatment method worldwide, particularly in the USA and Central Europe. In recent years, it has also gained popularity in Turkey and can be applied by doctors and physiotherapists who have completed at least 5 years of training. Those who practice osteopathy are called osteopaths. Osteopaths begin by identifying any functional disorders in the body, contributing to the healing of patients. They focus on treating the root cause rather than just the symptoms.
With osteopathic methods, patients are not only treated but also the fundamental source of the problem can be identified through a holistic approach. This allows for the best solutions to be found for patients’ issues.
Osteopathy distinguishes itself from other treatment methods by adopting a holistic approach that identifies the main source of pain. Rather than focusing on symptoms, it works directly on the root of the problem. The applied osteopathic methods effectively resolve issues, reducing the likelihood of patients needing to revisit for the same problems and minimizing medication usage.
For the body to function healthily, the harmony between organs and body balance is crucial. Osteopaths are specialists who assess factors such as physical and psychological issues, dietary habits, and exercise conditions, examining the harmony between organs and body balance. Suitable treatment methods are determined based on these assessments.
Osteopathy treatment focuses on the root cause of issues, eliminating obstacles in the body. This activates the body's self-healing mechanisms.
Commonly Used for Spinal Problems
The duration of osteopathy treatment depends on factors such as the type of the patient's problem, age, and personal characteristics. While osteopathy can be applied to any part of the body, it is most commonly preferred for spinal problems.
Spinal issues are among the areas where osteopathy is frequently utilized. Methods that can be safely used include conditions such as facet joint locking, spasms of the muscles that maintain the spine's posture, and other spinal problems.
General areas of use for osteopathy include:
- Postural disorders: Osteopathy can be effective in correcting postural issues.
- Movement dysfunctions in the musculoskeletal system and spine: Osteopathy can assist in treating movement dysfunctions related to the musculoskeletal system.
- Spinal disc herniations: Osteopathy may help alleviate symptoms associated with spinal disc herniations.
- Coccyx issues: Osteopathy can be a supportive method in treating problems in the coccyx region.
- Joint stiffness: Osteopathy can help relieve joint stiffness and increase the range of motion.
- Migraines: Osteopathy may be an option for managing migraine headaches.
- Tension-type headaches: Osteopathy can assist in reducing tension-type headaches.
- Sleep disorders: Osteopathy can offer treatment approaches for sleep disorders.
- Musculoskeletal pain from internal organ issues: Osteopathy can be used to treat musculoskeletal pain related to internal organs.
Osteopaths Help Patients with 3 Different Approaches
- Parietal Osteopathy: This approach focuses on treating the musculoskeletal system, including muscles, ligaments, joints, bones, and fascia groups.
- Visceral Osteopathy: This method treats problems in internal organs related to respiration, digestion, reproduction, and circulation, addressing the pain and issues they cause. Problems originating from internal organs can lead to pain reflected in areas such as the shoulders, back, waist, and neck.
- Cranial Osteopathy: Developed based on the knowledge that stress can create tension in the head and throughout the body, this method uses gentle touches on the skull to alleviate tension.
Diseases Benefited by Osteopathic Treatments:
Diseases that benefit from osteopathic treatments include:
- Movement and functional disorders
- Lower back, neck, and back pain, neck, back, and lower back muscle issues
- Migraines and tension-type headaches
- Joint, muscle, and bone pain
- Conditions like joint stiffness and osteoarthritis
- Sports injuries
- Developmental issues in children, neuromuscular problems like spasticity and cerebral palsy
- Walking, balance, and coordination disorders
- Gastrointestinal issues: constipation, diarrhea, urinary incontinence, indigestion, gastritis, gas, abdominal pain, spastic colon
- Swallowing and vomiting problems in infants, feeding issues, gas, and head shape deformities
- Relief of pain and adhesions after surgical intervention
- Postural problems: scoliosis, kyphosis, and spinal dysfunctions
- Supportive treatment in hormonal disorders
- Circulatory issues: blood and lymphatic system
- Allergic and chronic disorders
- Acute pain
- Developmental disorders in children and adolescents
- Panic attacks and depression
- Rheumatic complaints
- Stress, nerve tension, chronic fatigue, inability to relax, sleep issues
- Relaxation of the brain and its surroundings
- Myofascial pain conditions like fibromyalgia
- Joint subluxations, joint blockages, and spine and rib blockages
What is the Difference Between Osteopathy and Physical Therapy?
Osteopathy is distinguished from other physical therapies by its holistic approach. Instead of focusing solely on the painful area, treatment is applied to the root cause of the problem. For example, knee pain may actually stem from the lower back. In this case, osteopathy would focus on treatments for the lower back.
How Long Does an Osteopathy Session Last?
Sessions can occur 2-3 times a week, but can also be less frequent. This duration should be determined based on the individual's condition.
How is Osteopathy Applied?
Osteopathy is typically a preferred method for treating spinal problems. Osteopathy is conducted manually, without the need for any equipment, and involves direct physical contact with the person.
Direct contact during osteopathy treatment helps provide psychological relaxation. This method allows the individual to feel safe and enables them to gain more benefits from the treatment process.
Osteopathic treatment takes a holistic approach, addressing the root of the problem. Therefore, the likelihood of recurrence of complaints treated with osteopathy is quite low. The goal of treatment is to achieve lasting results by addressing the root cause rather than just alleviating symptoms.