| Introduction
Osteopathy was founded by Dr Andrew Still,
a medical practitioner in Kansas, USA, in 1874. The
first school of osteopathy was chartered in Missouri in 1892.
Medical knowledge was, of course, at that time very limited.
With increasing medical knowledge the whole practice of
medicine has radically changed and, inevitably the practice
of osteopathy has been modified; yet the basic ideas enunciated
by Still remain valid.
Wide Scope of Application
The most frequent visitors to osteopaths are patients suffering
from what are commonly called "back troubles".
These conditions usually respond to treatment whether the
condition is of recent origin or long standing.
Patients who have almost resigned themselves to “having
to live with” pain are frequently surprised to find
themselves quite well after only a few treatments. Many who
have had to wear surgical supports soon find they can do
without them. The widespread incidence of back pain and the
success of osteopathy in providing quick relief in many cases
has given the osteopath the reputation of being "the
man who fixes backs". However the scope of osteopathy
extends far beyond treating back pain and patients new to
this therapy are often surprised to find out how much the
osteopath can do for them.
Although much of an osteopath's work is
concerned with diagnosing and correcting osteopathic lesions
in the spinal column, his skill is in no way limited to spinal
adjustments. Injuries and other painful conditions of joints
anywhere in the body often respond more quickly and more
successfully to osteopathy than any other form of treatment.
Muscular aches and pains, including those usually referred
to as "rheumatism" are
among the most common conditions treated by osteopaths. Many
other ailments are also responsive to osteopathic treatment.
The Osteopathic Lesion
Most people have heard of the osteopathic lesion but its
meaning is frequently misunderstood and this has led to unjustifiable
and unnecessary criticism of osteopathy. An osteopathic lesion
does not mean that there is "a little bone out of place".
This was the explanation offered by old time bone-setters
and manipulators for results which they achieved without
knowing why. Neither does an osteopathic lesion necessarily
imply what is colloquially known as "a slipped disc".
The word "lesion" is derived from the Latin "laedo" which
simply means "I hurt". In osteopathy we use the
word to denote a specific type of joint dysfunction, usually
in the spinal column. An osteopathic lesion is simply a joint
in which there is anything from a slight to a total limitation
of the normal physiological range of movement.
Osteopathic lesions may be caused by injury
(either slight or severe), by disease, bad posture or some
persistent abnormal stimulus. The patient is sometimes only
too well aware of the cause but is often quite unconscious
of any injury having occurred. Osteopathic lesions can also
arise by reflex action because of some disturbance in a distant
structure.
The Remote Effect of
a Lesion and Reflex Lesions
Spinal joint lesions can cause pain in almost any part of
the body. This understanding is basic to osteopathic philosophy;
every structure in the human body is connected either directly
or indirectly with the spinal cord, the great central trunk
of nerves. Pressure at a vertebral (spinal) joint can result
in deficient nerve supply and interfere with the supply of
blood to important parts of the body. Whenever a spinal joint
becomes restricted in its degree of movement, the surrounding
tissues become involved and the flow of blood and lymph circulation
is impeded. When this happens nerve structures become affected
by poor nutrition and symptoms far away from the cause may
arise. Less frequently, problems in remote structures can
result in spinal lesions. These are known as "reflex
lesions".
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Osteopathic
Examination
As in all healing arts, diagnosis is the
prerequisite of successful treatment. Patients who have not
previously experienced osteopathic treatment are sometimes
a little surprised and puzzled by the technique of examination
employed. For example a patient may complain of pain down
his arm and "tingling" of
the fingers, yet the osteopath's attention is focused on
the lower part of the neck. This is because a lesion in the
cervical spine (neck) is often responsible for pressure on
the nerve root causing pain to radiate down the arm. Local
treatment of the hand and arm cannot remove the cause of
the trouble. Osteopaths also take into account conventional
medical test results; such as X-rays, ultrasound scans and
MRI images; and will work alongside your GP or medical advisor,
especially when radiologists or pathologists reports indicate
the need for a particular treatment regime.
Who can Benefit from
Osteopathy
It i’s tempting to say “everyone”.
Most sufferers from what are generally known as "physical" conditions
find osteopathic treatment of great benefit. Such conditions
are far too numerous to attempt to list but include:
- Slipped disc
- Arthritis
- Lumbago
- Sciatica
- Neck pain
- Whiplash
- Cervical spondylitis
- Shoulder pain
- Frozen shoulder
- Neck and back pain
- Neuritis
- Migraine
- Jaw pain
- Rheumatic aches and pains
- Tension headaches
- Certain chronic respiratory conditions
- Joint injuries
- Hip, Knee, Ankle, Foot Pain
- Postural defects
- Repetitive Strain (RSI)
- Sports Injuries
- Tennis Elbow
- Golfers Elbow
- Trapped nerves
- Aching joints
- and many other disabilities
Osteopathy - Preventive
Medicine
The old saying “an ounce of prevention
is worth a pound of cure” is especially relevant to
osteopathy. Because untreated lesions eventually lead to
pathological conditions it is best to treat the lesion early
before degenerative conditions develop. Restricted mobility
can, in most cases be improved or restored by manipulation.
Normalisation of mobility restores the circulation, decreases
the rate of degeneration and minimises subsequent pathological
changes. Regular osteopathic check-ups are highly recommended.
Osteopathy not an Unpleasant
Experience
Osteopathic treatment is not the unpleasant
hair-raising experience which some patients anticipate. It
is my practice always to precede joint manipulation with
extensive soft tissue preparation which relaxes the muscles
and allows easy movement of the joints. Most patients find
this a pleasant experience and many feel quite sleepy during
this stage. Spinal and other joint manipulations which follow
are merely movements made passively through the normal range
of physiological motion. These movements may produce a characteristic "click" but
cause practically no discomfort. Some patients feel a reaction
on the day following treatment. This is usually described
as a bruised feeling and persists for only a few hours. It
is insignificant compared with the relief from pain which
follows.
Osteopathic techniques are quite different
from those of some "manipulative" practitioners
who use forceful thrust movements and do not adequately prepare
their patients with soft tissue technique before manipulating.
Length of Treatment
The number of treatments necessary for any
specific condition varies widely from patient to patient;
for example, some low back conditions clear up after a couple
of treatments whilst others take six or more. Some conditions
are more or less permanent but much relief and increased
movement often results from regular treatment - not necessarily
at very frequent intervals. Osteopaths review the patient's
progress at every visit and recommend further treatment,
if necessary, at such intervals as is appropriate to individual
needs. Demands upon practitioner's time is such as to ensure
unnecessary treatment is never recommended.
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People respond
in very different ways to treatment. The majority will feel
better straight away but if your problem has been there a
long time or is particularly severe or if you had a condition
that created nerve irritation you may feel worse for a day
or two and may need to take anti-inflammatory medication
or painkillers.
Your body may react to the treatment by changing its chemistry
quite suddenly, this is due to metabolic waste products being
flushed out by the improved blood circulation – this
can feel a bit like a hangover with headaches, nausea and
sweating. Rest and plenty of fluid is the best treatment.
The effects rarely last more than 24hours. If you are taking
medication for diabetes or thyroid be extra vigilant with
your medication and monitoring.
Emotional changes are very common due to the release of
held-in tension.
If you have had adjustments made to your spinal joints you
should allow the joints to have rest but do not immobilise
them. The worst thing you can do after a neck or back adjustment
is to sit in a chair reading or watching TV without moving
for several hours. That will make you stiffen up. Be a fidget,
keep getting up and moving around but don’t do anything
strenuous.
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To get
the most benefit from your treatment you should treat yourself
gently for a day or two, this means avoiding strenuous activities
such as housework, sports, gardening and heavy lifting. Avoid
driving if you can, particularly after neck treatment.
No hot baths for a day or two but showering is OK
Keep well hydrated, sip fluids at regular and frequent intervals.
Keep to a simple diet of easily digested foods, avoid alcohol
and other stimulants.
Try to keep your posture well balanced, do not stand crookedly,
or sit with your legs crossed. If you have to drive make
sure your seat is properly adjusted and you are well supported.
If you are in any doubt whether you should or should not
carry out any activity please ask for specific advice
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