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What is Osteopathic Medicine or Osteopathy? A little history.

It is important to remember that Osteopathy is neither a 'technique' nor a 'manipulation'. It is in fact a rational approach to healthcare initially developed in America in the late nineteenth century by Dr Andrew T Still MD. It is also the first system of healthcare that applied a truly 'wholistic' philosophy in what has now become described as the 'biopsychosocial' model. It is this model that contemporary healthcare uses today, particularly in the areas of chronic or persistent illness and pain. 

Through a profound understanding of anatomy Dr Still argued that the function of human body could be improved or optimised if underlying physical problems were treated. He developed the first systematic and rational use of manipulative diagnosis and treatment or 'manual therapy' to address structural problems, opening the first American Osteopathic Medical School, in Kirksville, Missouri in 1892.

Today in America, there are 23 Osteopathic Medical Schools and some 61,000 Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, fully licensed to practice medicine and surgery in all American States. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO's) and Doctors of Medicine (MD's) together constitute the total American physician-surgeon population, with DO's representing approximately 15%.

Osteopathic Medicine arrived in the United Kingdom from America with the British School of Osteopathy opening its doors in 1917. However, it wasn't until 1993 that Osteopathy achieved statutory status in the UK, with the formation of the General Osteopathic Council.

It is the British model of Osteopathic practice that has been adopted by the wider Commonwealth, in contrast to the American full medical and surgical practice model. The British model, whilst training Osteopaths as primary contact clinicians, limits Osteopathic practice to the practice of 'manual medicine'. However, as primary clinicans, Osteopaths may also concern themselves with a variety of health issues from occupational health practice to sports medicine, and to wider public health matters such as diet and exercise, recovery and rehabilitation, public health screening and Government promoted health strategies.

Although Osteopaths have been present in very small numbers in New Zealand since the 1930's they are now a more visible feature in contemporary New Zealand healthcare, presently numbering over 300. Osteopaths practice under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003). Only appropriately trained and registered health practitioners may use the title 'Osteopath'.

Osteopaths receive their professional education and training at a number of institutions in Australasia. Victoria University of Technology and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, both in Melbourne, and Unitec in Auckland. The five year double degree (bachelor/master) program leads to a qualification recognised by the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand for the purposes of registration and, under CER agreement, may acquire registration in Australia.

Musculoskeletal Pain and Focused Osteopathic Care

Focused Osteopathic Care endeavours to seek the underlying cause of your pain or dysfunction, as it can only be through the identification of cause that suitable focused treatment and management strategies may be developed to provide you with a more comfortable, healthy life. Such treatment and management strategies are developed with the current scientific literature, guidelines and research in mind.

The musculoskeletal system is the most energy hungry system of your body. Unsurprisingly, it is literally the most massive. Consequently, it is highly innervated, requiring efficient, integrating management by the central nervous system with support from other body systems. All our human actions gain context and meaning through muscle contraction. Because of this, the musculoskeletal system, which is the interface between our internal body environment and the external world, has been referred to as the 'primary machinery of life'.

Overall, your energy and enjoyment, your comfort and ease, in short, the quality of your life and health deteriorates when you endeavour to cope with pain, whatever the reason. Body regulating mechanisms in your brain also respond to pain and this response is reflected globally in other systems of the body, influencing your mood and intrinsic well being through your immune and endocrine systems.

Osteopathic manipulative treatment is the systematic application of manipulative and manual procedures that address musculoskeletal pain and distress. Once cause is established, it is applied with your overall well being in mind. Obviously, many physical techniques exist within manual therapeutics, but it is the selection and experienced application of a range of suitable treatment techniques for your specific presentation that constitutes Focused Osteopathic Care.

At Dunedin Osteopathic Clinic we utilise an overall approach that best suits you, the diagnosis of your underlying condition, and the achievement of the 'best' treatment outcome consistent with 'best practice' and known science. We endeavour to achieve this in the shortest possible treatment time with the least amount of intervention. When Osteopathic Manipulative Tretament is not considered to be the most viable treatment choice, we will recommend another course of action, such as referral to another suitable health professional or perhaps further investigation.

At Dunedin Osteopathic Clinic we do not advocate or utilise 'cranial techniques', preferring instead to apply an indicated range of suitable and gentle Osteopathic techniques. We believe this offers a more rational, effective and evidence based treatment approach consistent with current knowledge in the anatomical and clinical sciences.

McGrath, MC. (2003), Hartman, SE. & Norton, JM. (2002), (2004 - 2005).

Is Osteopathy Safe?

Manipulative intervention performed by a skilled, professional Osteopath is very safe. Various studies undertaken in this regard highlight this fact. Osteopaths also understand the relative and absolute contraindications for manual intervention. Similarly, Osteopaths are aware of any very small risks associated with the use of manipulation and these are explained to you (Gibbons P, Tehan P. 2006).

More commonly though, you should feel relieved and more comfortable after treatment although a little stiffness or discomfort for a day or two after treatment may occasionally be reported. This would usually be no more than the discomfort experienced after undertaking unaccustomed moderate activity, and feeling sore the following day. After any treatment you will be advised about what to expect and how to manage it.

When you consult an Osteopath at Dunedin Osteopathic Clinic, you have the assurance of consulting a registered health professional who is also an ACC treatment provider. It is reassuring that Osteopaths are bound by a strict code of ethical practice, understand Patient Rights and Privacy and are also required to maintain continuing professional education. An Annual Practising Certificate is issued by the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand.

What type of problems may be treated?

At Dunedin Osteopathic Clinic we treat a wide range of problems that cause physical pain and somatic or body framework, dysfunction. Treatment may be given to all members of the community, whether they are older individuals, adults, children or infants. Amongst the many acute or chronic conditions treated will be neck pain, headache, jaw pain, shoulder arm pain, 'pins and needles' or 'numbness', back pain, leg pain, period pain, back pain associated with pregnancy, pregnancy related pelvic pain, sacroiliac pain or buttock pain and 'OOS'. We have a special interest and experience in spina bifida oculta, lumbar - sacroiliac pain in pregnancy, acute and chronic low back pain, jaw pain (TMJ Pain Dysfunction Syndrome), headache and 'thoracic outlet' syndrome, 'OOS' and injuires related to motor vehicle accidents such as 'whiplash'. We understand the role of anxiety and stress, both as a cause and result of distressing body framework systems.

Sports related injuires and strains are frequently seen, assessed and managed as are the unique requirements of sports nutrition. We may also assist with rehabilitation after more serious injuries or traumas, road traffic injuires or surgery, serious illnesses or strokes and we may contribute to the multidisciplinary management of chronic pain patients. Osteopathic treatment can also be of great value when dealing with stressful life conditions that lead to anxiety states and physical symptoms like headache, a painful stiff neck and upper back and fatigue.

Should you have any questions, doubts or concerns about the applicability and usefulness of Osteopathic treatment for you or any member of your family, please do not hesitate to contact us at the Dunedin Osteopathic Clinic. We are more than happy to discuss and review your concerns before you take any decisions.

Bibliography

A review of the physiology of cranial osteopathy: viewpoint. McGrath, MC. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine 2003, 6(2):84-86.

Interexaminer reliability and cranial osteopathy. Hartman SE, Norton JM. Scientific Review Alternative Medicine 200;6:23-34

A review of King HH and Lay EM, "Osteopathy in the cranial field," in Foundations for Osteopathic Medicine 2nd ed. Hartman SE, Norton JM. Scientific Review Alternative Medicine 2004 - 2005;8:24-8.