Osteopathy relates to structural alignment, when you use your body correctly health follows.
Osteopathy is a holistic form of manual therapy which focuses on keeping the structure of the body aligned so that it functions optimally. It is a drug-free and non-invasive form of healthcare that aims to improve health across all body systems through strengthening and manipulating the musculoskeletal system. Within New Zealand, Osteopathy is a regulated profession which requires five years of full time study. Training includes anatomy, physiology, pathology and general medical diagnosis on top of Osteopathic technique.
Hands on active and passive examination, as well as orthopaedic testing is used to help diagnose issues. Whilst treatment can include soft tissue and massage techniques, joint manipulation (or clicking), neuromuscular or lymphatic techniques. These can be used to treat a range of issues from freeing restricted joints, to reducing swelling, or muscle relaxation. Each session is tailored specific to the needs of each individual, so whilst you may have two people with lower back pain, they may have two completely different treatments depending on their needs and requirements.
What to expect in my osteopathic session:
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Initially a full case history is taken. This will include a detailed discussion about your presenting complaint. We talk about previous injuries, medical and family history, general health and lifestyle. It is important to get the full picture so that we can ascertain what may be predisposing or maintaining the current issue.
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Examination will be specific to your presenting complaint. Typically we will be looking for tenderness, asymmetry, restricted movement and tissue quality to identify the source of the issue.
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Treatment is hands-on and tailored to every session. For example if someone is apprehensive about joint manipulation within the neck, we can perform other techniques to achieve the same goal. An osteopath will work with all tissues of the body, including muscle, bone, ligaments, cartilage and nerves to help achieve optimal function.