Osteopathic Preventative Healthcare for Peace of Mind

Basically osteopathy is not a prevention medicine as much as a discipline that maintains the body in optimum health so that it can regulate and heal itself. The body gives clues as to it's state of health such as when we have sleeping difficulties, are in pain or discomfort or when a joint is unable to move in a normal fashion.

When a person uses osteopathy on a regular basis there is a positive affect on all the systems including the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems, to the point that a more balanced body and better health overall is realized by the individual.

Osteopaths also counsel patients in ways that can avoid ailments and injury such as teaching stretching exercises to those who have sedentary jobs so that they can avoid back and neck pain. They can also instruct individuals on proper techniques for lifting; better posture for sitting, standing and walking that will allow the individual to avoid stress and tension on body parts.

The osteopath may also give advice regarding diet or workplace ergonomics that will make an improvement in the health of the individual. This early intervention by the osteopath can give individuals the knowledge they need to make better decisions regarding lifestyle habits that can improve their health so that they can reduce the occurrence of pain later on in life. If learning how to sit, stand, walk and lift object avoids injury than the individual will have less time off of work and can enjoy recreational activities more.

The definition of preventative medicine is, "behavior which serves to deter the occurrence of an adverse condition or disease" and increasing the patient's power to avoid future pain or discomfort. In regards to osteopathy and preventative medicine because the goal of osteopathic medicine is to allow the body to be at optimum health by removing any restrictions, the achievement of that goal is in of itself preventative medicine. Osteopathic medicine promotes self-healing of the body, and stresses positive ways to prevent illness by eating properly, getting proper sleep and by keeping fit through exercise.

According to the American Osteopathic Association, "osteopathic manipulative treatment, or OMT, is hands-on care. That involves using the hands to diagnose, treat and prevent illness or injury. Osteopathy is based on the principle that the body has the ability to heal itself and because osteopaths seek to restore the optimal functioning of the body that promotes preventative medicine as when the body is at optimal functioning status it can regulate and heal itself thus is a way of preventing future illness.

The focus of osteopathy is on diagnosing, treating and preventing and also the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders that can have an impact on the general health of the individual.

A good basic introduction to osteopathic medicine is this one : Osteopathy.

To read more in depth about one technique, see my article on Cranial Osteopathy.