Osteopathy has become an integral part of the local healthcare system. This is mainly because this is a particularly gentle and individual therapy procedure. Osteopathy is mainly about the body's autoregulation and activating its self-healing powers. For this it is important to know different forms of diagnosis and therapy and to be familiar with the contraindications for osteopathy. Despite the widespread use and numerous experiences with osteopathy, there are still numerous fields of research in which new knowledge can and must be collected.
The aim of osteopathy: the autoregulation of the body
The human organism has undergone an evolutionary process that has lasted millions of years. Through this he has learned to react to internal and external stimuli and to adapt to changing life circumstances. This is reflected, among other things, in its ability to autoregulate. Within certain limits, he is able to independently control psychological processes and thereby build and maintain an inner balance. This affects blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, body temperature and much more.
The Goal of osteopathy always consists of activating and using this autoregulation of the body. In contrast to other forms of therapy, external influences and medications are not used to provoke certain reactions in the body. Instead, they should be encouraged to act independently and resolve certain blockages and complaints. Osteopathy uses numerous forms of treatment for this.
Diagnostic forms of osteopathy
Modern osteopathy is a precise and tailor-made method. Certain complaints are precisely localized and addressed and combated using individually suitable forms of therapy. In order for this to be possible, the symptoms must first be precisely localized. This is done using very different forms of diagnosis that therapists use.
First there is one comprehensive anamnesis, which determines the current state of health and acute complaints of the patient. This is followed by a physical examination, during which initial abnormalities are identified by palpating the muscles and joints. Initial knowledge can be gained during this palpation. Functional tests and movement analyzes are then carried out to assess, among other things, the mobility and strength of muscles or to identify certain imbalances. Last but not least, X-ray images and thermal diagnostics also help to collect information about the symptoms in order to select suitable forms of therapy.
Contraindications to osteopathy
Although osteopathy provides excellent services and supports the health of patients in many cases, there are some situations in which it is contraindicated. This is because there is not enough information about the interaction between osteopathy and certain clinical pictures or because there is a risk that symptoms will be made worse by individual forms of therapy. It is therefore important for therapists to be able to assess the usefulness of this form of treatment and to know when it is contraindicated.
Although it cannot be generally said when osteopathy should be avoided, in some situations it proves to be difficult because, for example, bone fractures and acute inflammation could be aggravated by the treatment. Appropriate therapeutic approaches should also be avoided if severe neurological or cardiovascular diseases are present. Especially with an unstable one Angina pectoris or acute paralysis, caution is advised. Infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and blood clotting disorders are also difficult or impossible to reconcile with osteopathy. Professional medical supervision is absolutely necessary here.
Diverse forms of therapy in osteopathy
In osteopathy, a distinction is made between very different forms of treatment and therapies. What they all have in common is that the cause of the symptoms is first identified and acute pain is localized. You can then stimulate individual parts of the body so that the pain becomes less. It is important to choose the form of therapy that is suitable for each area of the body, as only then can the desired effects be achieved.
Basically, a distinction is made between three major forms of therapy. Parietal osteopathy, for example, deals with pathological changes in the muscles and skeleton, while visceral osteopathy focuses primarily on the musculoskeletal system and the organ system and looks at how the two harmonize with one another. Craniosacral osteopathy, on the other hand, is suitable for complaints in the head area.
Areas of application and research fields in osteopathy
Osteopathy is used for very different concerns. Among other things, it is useful for sports and accident injuries, but it can also be used to treat poor posture and back problems. It can also be used for bladder infections and inflamed organs. In some cases it is used for migraines, tinnitus and dizziness. However, there is still a great need for research in this regard.
The clinical effectiveness of individual forms of therapy must be examined so that this form of treatment can be used as a supplement to conventional medicine. Above all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are helpful in this context. It must also be examined how safe the individual forms of therapy are and what patient satisfaction is. Only then will it be clear whether the respective forms of therapy lead to the desired results.
Furthermore, research deals with neurophysiology and the influence of osteopathy on the nervous system. It is also interesting to see what long-term effects the forms of treatment have and how sustainable the individual therapies are. In this context, it is worth making a comparison with other therapies and checking their effectiveness. Last but not least, topics such as the placebo effect and cost-effectiveness in relation to osteopathic treatments can also be topics of research.
Conclusion: Osteopathy as a supplement to conventional medicine
Osteopathy already often functions as a supplement to conventional medicine. Many patients who have not achieved the desired results with classic forms of treatment often resort to osteopathy. Their gentle, body-friendly and individual approach helps many people get their problems under control and do something good for their health. For this purpose, it is important to individualize the individual treatments and to ensure that they are tailored to those affected and their personal complaints and wishes.
11/10/2023