Osteopathy is the science of natural medicine that studies the human body by considering the totality of its interrelated systems. Osteopathy is based on biomechanical principals as applied to the body. The main emphasis of the diagnosis and treatment is the restoration of structural integrity of the body.

Osteopathy recognizes that pain and dysfunction stems from poor structural integrity of the body systems, including musculoskeletal and visceral systems. It must be emphasized that osteopathy is not an alternative to conventional medicine but can be an effective complement to modern medicine.

Osteopathy involves “thinking outside the box”. In conventional medicine, the focus is often on treatment of the painful area. Osteopathy seeks to find the original cause or source of the pain. If however, a problem in a distal area is causing pain, the pain is not going to be resolved by local treatments. Very often small restrictions in the tissue lead to impaired circulation causing tissue quality to deteriorate. Deteriorated tissue restricts mobility causing pain and eventually leading to failure of function. The focus in osteopathy is to discover the source of the problem and treat the systems involved to effect overall change in the body.

1.Structure governs function.

Wherever the structure is deteriorated or deformed, the function in that area of the body will be affected. Osteopathic treatments aim to restore the body structure wherever possible.

2.The body regulates itself.

The body has an innate mechanism to self regulate and to ultimately heal itself. Osteopathic treatments are aimed at helping the body to regulate itself.

3.The role of the artery is absolute.

Blood circulation is paramount to the function of the tissue. Tissue healing occurs through good circulation. Osteopathic treatments aim to restore effective circulation.

4.The body is a functional unit.

Body parts do not function separately but in fact all systems function as one unit. Osteopathic diagnoses and treatments keep this principle foremost at all times.

Osteopathy is not a set of techniques; rather it is a philosophy based on these four principles. This philosophy is simple and sensible. When applied in practice, osteopathy can make profound changes in a person’s health.

In 1874, a physician named Andrew Taylor Still became disillusioned with the medicine he practiced when he could not save his own children from an epidemic of viral meningitis that spread throughout the state of Missouri. He was determined to find another ‘way’. Through ten years of his own research, Dr. Still discovered and developed ways to manipulate tissue and restore function to dysfunctional tissue in order to restore normal physiology.

In the late 19th century, allopathic medicine was crude and surgical methods were unsophisticated. This new way of thinking about the body in health and disease was slowly accepted by the public. Dr. Still was more successful in treating a variety of conditions using this new method (osteopathy) than his allopathic counterparts. Not only did the mortality rate decrease but also many people he treated were able to carry on afterwards to live productive lives. However Dr. Still did encounter some resistance from traditional practitioners

Many influences converged to shape Dr. Still’s evolution. He apprenticed as a physician at his father’s side, as well as he was a hospital steward and scout surgeon during the Civil War. Other influences included his interest in Magnetic Healing, Bone Setting, Evolution Theory, and Spiritualism, to name a few.

Dr. Still’s main interest was to enhance nature’s own ability to heal. He realized that the human body was potentially perfect in its form and function. He studied anatomy with extreme intensity seeking to learn the secrets held by nature’s design. He realized the relationship between structure and function. He saw the human body as a highly complex machine, which, like any other machine, required proper alignment and lubrication for optimal functioning.

During his experiences in surgery, he observed adhesions, restrictions of motion and congestion of diseased organs. Dr. Still sought a non-surgical means of breaking down these adhesions, restoring motion and ultimately alleviating this congestion. With many years of practice, he eventually developed a means of restoring freedom to restricted tissues using his hands to relieve the congestion.

As his skills evolved and his reputation grew, train routes were redirected and boarding houses were erected to accommodate the influx of people into the remote area of Kirksville, Missouri. The ailments his patients suffered from ranged from epilepsy to parasitic infections, acute dysentery to appendicitis. He was able to help the majority of patients that he treated.

Dr. Still founded the first osteopathic school, the American School of Osteopathy, in Missouri in 1892. In the early 1900’s, John Martin Littlejohn came from Great Britain to study osteopathy with Dr. Still in Kirksville, Missouri. He and his brother were instrumental in founding the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Littlejohn moved back to England in 1910, started the British School of Osteopathy and subsequently expanded the practice of osteopathy to Europe.

In France, the origin of osteopathy has been traced back to 1923. Most notable in his contribution was an osteopath by the name of Jean-Pierre Barral, D.O. who pioneered the treatment of the ‘visceral’ systems. Such European osteopathic traditions provided significant contributions thereby expanding the art and science of osteopathy.

Several osteopaths have played an important role in the history and evolution of the tradition. Significant contributions were made by William Garner Sutherland D.O., Rollin Becker D.O., Thomas Schooley D.O., Ann Wales D.O., Harold Magoun Sr. D.O.

At the beginning of the 20th century, one of Dr. Still’s students, Dr. William Garner Sutherland discovered the “cranial rhythm” (a natural motion of the cranio-sacral unit). He realized that this rhythm was disturbed by tensions in the body and could be restored by various gentle cranial techniques.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Still’s influence gradually weakened when pharmaceuticals were introduced. As these became more advanced and practical, the use of medications was introduced into the osteopathic curriculum. As a result, osteopathy in the United States evolved towards the practice of medicine and surgery leaving behind traditional osteopathy based on palpation and manual therapeutic methods.

In the early 1900’s, some of the American osteopaths moved to Canada to practice. They were given limited medical practice rights; these individuals were registered under the Drugless Practitioners Act i.e. they were not allowed to prescribe drugs or perform surgery like the traditional medical practitioners. Osteopaths from American universities are now given full practice rights in Canada.

In 1981, Phillippe Druelle, D.O. from France founded the first school in Canada, the Collège d’Études Ostéopathiques (CEO) in Montreal, Quebec. Ten years later, the Canadian College of Osteopathy (CCO) was established based on the parent school in Montreal. In addition to the original school in Montreal, there are now schools in Quebec City, Toronto, Halifax and Vancouver. The CCO is now recognized worldwide as a leader in osteopathic education. The program of study involves five years of academic study followed by two years of research. On successful completion of the course students obtain a doctorate diploma in osteopathic manual practice D.O.(MP).

The word “diagnosis” means to know… through and through, the Greek roots “dia”, meaning ‘through’ (as in diagonal – an angle through) and “gnosis” meaning ‘essential knowing.’

The nature of an osteopathic diagnosis differs from a medical diagnosis used by a physician. The diagnosis is obtained after a thorough assessment is done. The osteopathic assessment consists firstly of a medical history and is followed by a physical examination. A full examination by the osteopath would include assessment of orthopedic (bones and joints), neurological (nerves), respiratory (lungs) and circulatory (heart and blood vessel) systems.

Using the information received through his hands, the osteopath considers the integrity and function of anatomic relationships, the ease of movement, the balance of tensions and the degree of freedom of various body tissues and structures.

Before treatment can begin, the osteopath must first learn the way in which ‘trauma’ has been imprinted upon the patient. This part of the diagnostic process is essential. Obviously, one cannot treat without knowing what one is treating! Osteopaths learn about their patients through “touch”. It seems this ‘one’ sense tells osteopaths so much more about their patients. Dr. Sutherland spoke of osteopaths having “thinking, feeling, seeing, and knowing fingers.”

The most common osteopathic diagnosis is “Somatic Dysfunction.” Somatic Dysfunction is defined as: “Impaired or altered function of related components of the somatic (body framework) system and related vascular, lymphatic, and neural elements.”

One of the peculiar aspects of osteopathy is that it is often difficult to separate diagnosis from treatment. Diagnosis and treatment, in a sense, blend together. Throughout the diagnostic process, the patient is being treated. Throughout the treatment process, the osteopath is learning about the patient – the sensory feedback is constant.

Though the osteopathic principles upon which treatment is based are constant, each osteopath practices in a unique way. Treatment styles may be as varied as a signature, yet the intention to restore fluid continuity, balance, and freedom remain universal. (Courtesy of www.osteodoc.com)

It is important for the patient to realize that his/her body is made up of many interconnected structures and that the source of the problem is often not the area experiencing the symptoms. It will not come as a surprise then that during treatment sessions, the osteopath may work on areas other than those at the site of pain/discomfort.

For treatment sessions, the patient will be asked about any new relevant issues that have arisen since they last saw the osteopath. The osteopath may suggest the patient wear/bring gym clothes or may provide a gown/sheet for the patient’s comfort during the sessions.

Some treatments may require the patient to adjust positions (lying to sitting or lying on one’s side for example) or to breathe deeply after a particular technique. The osteopath can explain (if the patient wishes and time permits) what he is doing during a session in terminology the patient can understand. This explanation may allow the patient to understand and cooperate more fully with future treatment sessions.

During treatment sessions, the osteopath may use any one of or combination of treatment techniques described below.

Musculo-skeletal

The osteopath uses manual techniques to manipulate, mobilize and reactivate bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and fasciae (connective tissue). The fasciae comprise of wide variety of body tissues including the membranes, ligaments, tendons and mesenteries. The fasciae are found at every level of the body and constitute a basic element of physiology. From the mechanical point of view, fasciae are organized in chains. (The Fasciae, Serge Paoletti)

The musculoskeletal system of the body is made up of bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and fasciae. The fasciae (connective tissue), which are found at every level of the body, include membranes, ligaments, tendons and mesenteries (tissue that contains and supports the intestines).

The osteopath uses manual techniques to manipulate, mobilize and reactivate these tissues as needed. (See Techniques below)

Visceral

The visceral system of the body is made of the soft internal organs of the body i.e. those within the chest (heart, lungs) and abdomen (liver, pancreas, intestines) and their supporting structures.

The osteopath may use visceral manipulation techniques (originally developed by Jean-Pierre Barral, D.O, from France). These involve physical mobilization of the supporting mechanisms of the organs. The osteopath uses his hands to palpate the subtle motion between an organ and its supporting structure. This treatment can relieve imbalances and restrictions in the interconnections between the motions of various organs and structures of the body. “The central premise of visceral manipulations is that the interrelationship of structure and function among the internal organs is at least as strong as that among the constituents of the musculoskeletal system; and that, like the musculoskeletal system manipulation of viscera can be beneficially used in treatment of internal organ dysfunction”. (Jean-Pierre Barral)

Cranial

The cranial system of the body is made up of the skull bones, brain and spinal cord, membranes of the brain and spinal cord, vertebrae, sacrum and accompanying cranial fluids.

Cranial osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of treatment that encourages the release of stresses and tensions in the head (skull, membranes and cranial viscera).

The cranial concept (which was developed by William Garner Sutherland D.O.) is based on the idea that skull bones, the membranes of the brain and the cerebro-spinal fluid constantly move in a rhythmic manner. This rhythm, which has very small amplitude, exists independently of the pulse or the breathing of an individual and can only be palpated by the highly skilled hands of a trained individual such as an osteopath. The osteopath uses cranial treatment techniques involving intricate, precise manipulation of the cranial bones and accompanying membranes. By using these techniques, the osteopath can facilitate the cranial mechanism to resume the previous function, which existed prior to disturbance, injury or other trauma.

Cranial osteopathy is a gentle and yet extremely effective approach that may be used to treat a wide range of conditions in people of all ages, from birth to old age.