Osteopathy Services

According to the World Osteopathic Health Organization (WOHO), osteopathy is an established and recognized system of preventive health care that relies on manual contact for diagnosis and treatment. It respects the relationship between the body, mind and spirit in both health and disease: it places emphasis on the structural and functional integrity of the body and the body’s inherent tendency to heal itself. Osteopathic treatment is seen as a facilitating influence to encourage this process of self-regulation. The pain experienced by patients results from a reciprocal relationship between the musculoskeletal and visceral components of disease or strain.

As a holistic medicine, from the Greek holos-all, the osteopath considers the individual as a whole. The word “health” itself, from the Sanskrit “sarva”, means wholeness, to come back together in one piece. Again, in Old English, the word “hal”, now commonly known as health-health, means “all”. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is the process through which the osteopath approaches somatic dysfunctions. Somatic dysfunctions are classified as anomalies of the musculoskeletal system (ICD-9, code 739) and are identified with the TART parameters: (Tissue texture abnormality, Asymmetry, Restriction of motion, Tenderness). Furthermore, these areas are characterized by a pro-inflammatory state and an alteration of autonomic control. OMT is characterized by different techniques, myofascial release, craniosacral, high velocity low amplitude manipulations (HVLA), BLT techniques (ligament tension balancing), muscle energy techniques (MET), biodynamics, strain-counterstrain.