| Osteopathy is a manipulative therapy | | | | testing. |
| that works on the body's structure (the | | | | There will also be passive movement |
| skeleton, muscles, ligaments, and | | | | testing, which means feeling the body's |
| connective tissue) to relieve pain, | | | | response to the movements of sitting, |
| improve mobility, and restore all-round | | | | standing, walking, and so on. The way in |
| health. Osteopaths believe that we | | | | which movement is restricted can reveal |
| function as a complete working system - | | | | the cause of a problem. The main |
| our body structure, organs, systems, | | | | physical examination is carried out by |
| mind, and emotions are all | | | | means of palpation (touch) and movement, |
| interrelated and mutually | | | | and joint testing, but sometimes it may |
| interdependent. Because of this, | | | | be necessary for further tests or X-rays |
| problems that affect one part of the | | | | at a hospital. |
| structural body upset the balance of the | | | | Treatment There is a wide range of |
| body generally, and also the emotions. | | | | techniques used. However, some |
| Similarly, internal problems can reveal | | | | osteopaths favor one or more particular |
| themselves in the body's structure as | | | | forms of treatment. The techniques and |
| it adapts to accommodate pain, | | | | the amount of pressure used will be |
| discomfort, or disease. | | | | adapted by the practitioner to suit |
| Elements of Therapy | | | | particular conditions. |
| Diagnosis Diagnosis is made by the | | | | Manipulative techniques used by the |
| practitioner asking numerous questions | | | | osteopath involve both direct contact |
| and listening to the responses. He or | | | | and indirect contact and, therefore, |
| she will then assess body framework and | | | | include long-lever and short-lever |
| posture, evaluating the way the body | | | | actions. Osteopaths use many techniques |
| functions before checking parts such as | | | | depending on the state and also the |
| the spine, hips, and legs. Joints will | | | | position of the muscles being treated, |
| be tested to establish how well and with | | | | and each one is carefully calculated and |
| what ease they move, and the osteopath | | | | executed with engineering precision. |
| will palpate the tissue as it moves. | | | | Read out for Strength ball training. |
| This is known as active movement | | | | |