Zeinah Keen Osteopathy

The History of Osteopathy

I am assuming that many people who access the Natural Therapy Pages are interested in complementary and alternative medicines so thought it may be of interest to provide a background into the history of this fantastic profession.

Osteopathy was founded by a Physician from Virginia, US, called Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917). He lived and worked during very religious and radical times, during which his ideas were scowled upon and considered quackery by many.

Of course during this period Medicine was still evolving and medical practitioners were poorly trained and had little idea as to what caused diseases. In conjunction with poor education, treatments at the time were unsophisticated. As a MD he became very disheartened with conventional medicine when 3 of his children died from an epidemic of Meningitis whereby traditional medicine had failed to cure them
Prior to this even, as boy A.T. Still was always curious as to why whenever he had a headache (by which he had many as a child), they were always gone if he lay down on a piece of rope, resting the upper part of his neck over it.

As the years went on and Mr Still’s knowledge of anatomy grew, he believed that obstructions within the flow of lymph and blood cause dysfunction within all systems within the body. If these obstructions are removed manually, then patients have the ability to heal themselves. Four basic principles have evolved from his theories, and to this day, form the basis Osteopathic medicine.

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Principles

1) The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind and spirit.

Individuals require a triad of health, of body, mind and spirit. When one component is not functioning adequately, it places strain on the other components. For example;
Stress→increase in production of noradrenaline (fright,fight,flight hormone)→feeling run down→reduction in immune function→upper respiratory tract infection.

2) The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance.

People heal themselves. Osteopaths enhance the environment to catalyse these processes. An increase in circulation is promoted within the body, allowing blood, lymph, nerves, immune and endocrine systems and everything else to nourish the body as well as detoxify and remove waste products of metabolism. This theory can be applied to a specific injury or as a prophylactic treatment.

3) Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.

Osteopaths recognise that a structurally sound body is ideal in order to put the above into practice. Activities of daily living will are affected if there are biomechanical obtrusions. For example;
Dysfunction in a vertebral segment in the neck→disruption of blood and nerve supply to the head→headache or nausea→pain, suffering, time off work, and so on.
Osteopaths recognise that you are a person and thus a headache can affect many aspects of your daily living. The improvement in body movement will contribute to the triad of health.

4) Rational Treatment

Rational Treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self regulation and the inter-relationship of structure and function.

Remember Osteopathic treatment focuses on health as opposed to disease.

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What is Osteopathy?

It is a form of manual medicine that uses a variety of techniques to treat musculoskeletal problems and aid movement throughout the body. Osteopaths recognise that the skeleton, joints, muscles, nerves, circulation, connective tissue and internal organs function as a unit. Osteopathic techniques may include soft tissue massage, stretching, muscle energy, neuromuscular, high velocity thrusts (whereby audible click can sometimes be heard), articulations and some more indirect techniques which entail an extremely gentle approach.

Osteopathy is a holistic form of medicine; therefore many aspects of your life will be explored as treatment progresses in order to gain better insight as to how injury came about and how future injuries can be prevented. You may be asked questions about your diet, lifestyle, occupation, children, exercises, hobbies and so forth. Prevention of recurrence is therefore fundamental within a treatment plan. For example, you may require an ergonomic assessment, advice on lifting or alterations made to your exercise regime.
Osteopathic medicine is regulated by the government.

What conditions can Osteopaths treat?

• Back and neck pain
  
• Sciatica
  
• Headaches
  
• Pains in peripheral joints such as shoulders, knees, ankles
  
• Work related injuries
  
• Sports injuries
  
• Asthma
  
• Period pains
  
• Irritable bowel pain
  
• Pregnancy associated pains
  
• Arthritis
  
• Disc injuries
  
• Growing pains
  
• Unsettled infants
  
• The list is not exhaustive

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What is the Difference between an Osteopath, Chiropractor and Physiotherapist?

So many people ask me this question and I shall do my best to answer it. All three professions treat the same conditions, it is the approach and techniques used that differ.

As mentioned above already, Osteopathy is a manual and complementary form of healthcare whereby the use of touch and manipulation are utilised to treat musculoskeletal dysfunction within the body.
Chiropractic medicine also bases the principles on the body being a self-regulating, self-healing organism, and that indeed structure and function are related.

Function of the body is based on a healthy nervous system therefore obstruction of any nervous pathway needs to be removed via adjustments with much emphasis on the spine, skull and pelvis. Only then can health be restored.

Physiotherapists are very much movement orientated and they can treat people with movement disorders which may have been present from birth for example cerebral palsy, injuries obtained through accidents or injuries or other life-changing events such as stroke. They use a variety of techniques to increase joint and muscle movement. Physio’s tend to work within a more acute and rehabilitative environment.

What can I expect the first time I come to see an Osteopath?

The first visit will entail an initial consultation whereby a full case history will be taken including your reason for being there as well as gaining information about your past medical and surgical history, any traumas, accidents and hospitalisations.

Following the consultation, a full examination will proceed and will include biomechanical analysis, postural assessment, palpation, as well as any special orthopaedic or clinical tests as necessary. The latter may include checking your blood pressure or conducting basic neurological testing.

The information obtained from the case history and examination will enable me to make a diagnosis so treatment can proceed. Occasionally I may need to refer you back to your doctor for further investigations prior to commencing Osteopathic treatment.

How many treatments will I need?

On average most people require 3-4 treatments but this really is a rough guide. There are many variables that affect your healing such as age, compliance, medical history, length of time you have had the condition and so on. When you are feeling better, it is advisable to come for treatment every month or so to prevent future injury and to keep you healthy.

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A bit about myself

I came into the Osteopathic profession having worked as a Registered Nurse for 15yrs. My nursing background is broad and I have worked in many areas including;

Gynaecology, General Surgery, General Medicine, Emergency, Practice Nursing, Community, Palliative Care and Oncology.

I always had an interest in complementary medicine and my fundamental reason for switching professions was to spend more time with my patients and gain that one on one contact. This is something that nursing would not allow me to do, simply because there was no time. Besides this, Osteopathy is an extremely interesting subject to study and has taught me many things that the human body is capable of. Having nursed so many sick people, I can assure you that Osteopathy is truly a fantastic form of health care with emphasis on health and disease prevention. It is safe and effective in all age groups from the very young to the very old.

Benefits of coming to see me

• My experience.
  
• On the spot direct claims to your health fund via HICAPS.
  
• Off Street parking.
  
• Disabled Access.
  
• Peaceful environment.
  
• Treatments available under Medicare-you will need an EPC referral letter from your GP. Please contact me for further information about this.

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