Osteopathy is a set of manual techniques and non-invasive treatments used to treat wounds and reduce aches and pains by restoring organic balance. Specialist Osteopathy Osteopath Croydon detects, treats and prevents health problems by stretching and massaging the patient’s muscles, joints and connective tissue. Non-invasive techniques and treatments are based on a holistic vision of the human body where bones, muscles and ligaments must work together.
One of the characteristics of osteopathy is its holistic view of the body, namely understanding the human body as a unified whole and not as a group of organs. In this way, he dealt with injuries from their origins, analyzing their possible causes. Moreover, it enhances homeostasis, i.e. the ability to live organisms to maintain stable conditions favourable for carrying out organic functions.
A registered osteopath must practise osteopathy to avoid injury or adverse side effects.
Type of osteopathy
Within osteopathy, three basic types can be distinguished: structural osteopathy, which focuses on the musculoskeletal system. It is the most widely used for repairing pathologies and injuries related to bones and muscles.
Visceral osteopathy can also be distinguished, focusing on stimulating and rehabilitating the viscera and vital organs, such as the stomach, pancreas or reproductive system.
Finally, cranial osteopathy studies the relationship between the skull structures and the nervous system. Through this type, the mobility of the cerebrospinal fluid is stimulated to restore the organic balance.
When to use osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a technique that, without being intrusive, offers promising results—recommended for patients with chronic injuries who have undergone different treatments without getting stable positive results over time.
There are specific pathologies and situations where it may be advantageous to go to an osteopath. For example, in cases of acute illness, where drugs have been taken for a long time, osteopathy can help the liver and digestive system to restore balance after drug-induced changes.
Osteopathy is also recommended for treating emotional and psychological stress, as it acts on muscle relaxation, which in most cases is beneficial for this pathology.
Application of osteopathy
As described, osteopathy is indicated for treating various organic changes. The pathologies that can be treated by osteopathy will be described below: osteoarticular and musculoskeletal pathologies, such as sprains, tendinopathy or muscle contractures.
Also, it is recommended to treat digestive diseases and genitourinary pathologies, such as cystitis, amenorrhea or menopausal disorders. Also, it can help with incontinence disorders. In the case of patients with respiratory diseases, osteopathy can also give good results.
On another track, it can be applied to neurological pathologies, which affect a patient’s quality of life, such as headaches or migraines, or to sleep disturbances or mood disorders, through muscle relaxation.
Osteopathic Technique
Osteopathy works through different techniques. One of the most important is myofascial release, which, through manual therapy, works by adhesion between the fascia and the muscle, so that the muscle fibres increase their mobility, and therefore injury can be avoided.
Another of the most common practices is the muscle energy technique. In this case, the patient contracts the muscles while the therapist performs the relevant stretches to achieve muscle relaxation.
Osteopathy works to release trigger points via the “Jones technique”: pressure is applied to these points to relieve pain. And finally, the “Trust technique” positions the joints through fast and painless movements, commonly called bone crunching.
Osteopathic Benefits
The benefits of osteopathy are numerous, and good results can be seen in the short term. Among the most prominent benefits, we find a balance between the muscles and the nervous system, which significantly improves the stability and balance of the body, reducing the chances of suffering from injuries.
In addition, because it is a minimally invasive treatment, it is painless, and the patient does not need to take medication. Osteopathy treats pathology from its origins. It is very beneficial, as it improves the general condition of patients and, therefore, their quality of life.
