Understanding Osteopathy
Osteopathy was introduced in the state of Missouri in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. Disillusioned with the harsh medical practices of the time, Dr. Still sought a more holistic approach. Influenced by the traditional healing methods and philosophy of the Shawnee tribe he spent time with, Still came to the perspective that the body possessed an inherent ability to regulate and heal itself. He integrated this concept with Western scientific principles and anatomical knowledge, emphasizing the body's interconnectedness and the musculoskeletal system's role in overall health.
Four Primary Principles
The Body is a Unified System
Our body functions as a whole, with each part influencing the others. The sum of these interconnected parts creates something greater than just individual components.
The Body's Innate Healer
Each body possesses built-in self-healing and self-regulating mechanisms. By addressing limitations, we can stimulate these mechanisms, enabling the body to resolve many issues and maintain health
Structure Governs Function
There is a reciprocal relationship between form and function. The shape of a structure influences how it works, and the function itself can also shape the structure over time.When the body's structure is compromised (injury, overuse, etc.), its function suffers (pain, stiffness, etc.)
Role of the Artery is Supreme
For optimal healing, a sufficient blood supply is crucial. This delivers necessary immune cells and nutrients to the affected area. Similarly, lymphatic and venous drainage remove cellular waste products, maintaining a healthy fluid environment for cells to flourish.
American Osteopathic Medicine vs International Osteopathic Practice
Since the mid-1900's in the United States, osteopathic colleges have been analogous to allopathic medical colleges, whereby osteopathic graduates are granted the full rights and responsibilities of a medical doctor (M.D.), are referred to as Osteopathic Physicians and are designated by the initials D.O. Education at these institutions is required to cover everything any other medical school is required to, which leaves greatly reduced time for osteopathic students to learn and practice the manual methods that osteopaths had traditionally learned in the past.
Prior to the accommodation of allopathic medical studies into American osteopathic colleges, osteopaths from the United States had been teaching traditional osteopathic methodology and techniques in Europe for many years. From there traditional osteopathy was exported to many countries around the world where it is still practiced the same way today. These osteopathic practitioners are referred to as Non-Physician Osteopaths and use the initials D.O. or D.O.M.P. (where the D stands for Diploma or Degree) depending on the country in which they were educated.