Due to a modern lifestyle characterized by lack of movement and frequent sitting, many people suffer from back pain, headaches and associated unclear complaints. Precisely because no isolated symptom can be localized, holistic healing methods such as osteopathy then come to the attention of those seeking help. Doctors also frequently regard these treatment approaches as a valuable supplement to the methods of scientifically oriented medicine.
What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy in the context of knee joint osteoarthritis. Click to enlarge. Osteopathy is a manual therapy that is classified as a holistic alternative healing modality. Sometimes the terms chiropractic, manual therapy, craniosacral therapy and osteopathy are used interchangeably. However, a therapist who offers qualified osteopathy must undergo special further training as a doctor, physiotherapist or alternative practitioner. This qualifies him as an osteopath. As a method of therapy and diagnosis, osteopathy is initially focused on disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Historically, osteopathy can be traced back to an American doctor who, during his experience as a country doctor, developed grip techniques to relieve tension and blockages in the skeleton and muscles. This also had a positive effect on the complaints caused by tension in other areas of the body and relieved pain. Modern osteopathy has developed on the basis of these basic assumptions. Private health insurance companies have always covered the costs of manual therapy. In the meantime, some statutory health insurers have also included osteopathy in their range of services.
Function, effect and goals
A 2014 study attempted to prove that osteopathy can be helpful for back pain. It concluded that osteopathic treatments not only effectively reduce back pain, but also improve physical abilities. Osteopathy does not just look at individual organs or organ systems. For osteopathy, the body represents a functional unit capable of self-regulation. The task of osteopathy is to promote and restore the mobility of all body structures. This refers to the musculoskeletal system as well as the internal organs, the blood and lymphatic system as well as the nerve tracts and the entire craniosacral area from the skull to the spinal cord and spine with the associated structures and tissues. In osteopathy, as the name “manual therapy” suggests, the therapist works with the hands. The treatment begins with a careful anamnesis and diagnosis. The osteopath examines the patient while standing, sitting and lying down according to a specific program. He performs movement tests and feels the tensions in the tissue with his hands. During the osteopathic treatment, pressure, careful pulling or turning in the right places of the structures is used to try to restore the disturbed balance of all functions. The most common indications for osteopathy are disorders of the musculoskeletal system. This includes rehabilitation after accidents or operations as well as the treatment of disc problems, lumbago, back, shoulder and neck pain. Since the treatment is holistic, the therapeutic spectrum of osteopathy can be much broader. Tinnitus, digestive and bladder problems, sleep disorders, asthma or problems with the jaw joint can also be treated. There is no age restriction here. Even if babies have digestive problems, osteopathy can intervene in a very careful and gentle corrective way. Osteopathy is often very successful in treating acute problems, whereas treatment of chronic diseases usually takes longer. Normally, after three, at the latest after six half-hour treatments at one-week intervals, a positive change should be noticeable. If osteopathy has not worked by then, the therapist will recommend further medical diagnosis and other treatment methods.
Risks, side effects and dangers
Movements of blood clots, kidney stones, gallstones, or foreign bodies such as the contraceptive IUD can be undesirable side effects of osteopathy.Some patients describe sore muscles or fatigue as side effects of osteopathic treatment. For this reason, great athletic exertion on the day of treatment is discouraged. Osteopathy should not be used if there is severe osteoporosis, because this could damage the already severely weakened bone. Cancer, infectious diseases, generally febrile diseases, bone fractures, heart attacks and strokes, and mental illnesses are also not indications for osteopathy. These diseases must be treated by a specialist. As an adjunctive treatment to alleviate disease-related discomfort, however, osteopathy may well come into question after consultation with the specialist.
