What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a gentle hands-on approach to healthcare that recognizes the importance of the relationship between structure and function. Osteopathic principles are based on the whole body as an integrated functional unit, with treatment aimed at optimizing the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. Importance is placed on the connection between all of the body tissues, fluids, organs and systems.

Osteopathic manual practitioners have extensive training in touch that enables them to feel:

• motion restrictions
• congestion
• inflammation
• dehydration
• muscular spasm
• scarring

The goals of the osteopathic manual practitioner is to relieve pain and illness by optimizing movement and restoring health and vitality to the body. Normal body movement is a vital element of healing and maintaining health.

Pain, injury or illness may result from restrictions in normal movement due to the associated effects on:

• body mechanics
• blood flow
• lymphatic drainage
• neurological function
• organ function