What is osteopathy ?
Osteopathy is a manual medicine developed by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still in the United States in the late 19th century. This renowned anatomist was the precursor of dissection work focused on the anatomical relationships between the skeleton and the physiological systems of the body.
Dr. Still discovered the fundamental importance of the loss of bone and joint mobility on the patients’ health, especially spinal and skull dysfunctions. His research led him to develop an original treatment method based on knowledge of anatomy and the application of a very precise clinical examination. After several years of research and work, he founded the first school of osteopathy. Today, this approach of health concerns millions of people around the world.
The manipulations always respect the precautionary principle and are applied according to the age and the antecedents of the patient.
Dr Andrew Taylor Still
To understand the effects of manipulations of the body on human physiology, we must refer to the scientific foundations of osteopathy. The manipulations have a very understandable mechanical effect on the structures. It has been demonstrated (works of Professor Irvin Korr) that this mechanical effect solicits the articular nervous system by its action on tissues (capsules, ligaments).
Structures governs functions. This is easily understandable when one observes the diagrams of anatomical distribution neurological spinal cord and vertebral segments that relate.
The practitioner makes the link between the symptoms described by the patient and the mobility tests he performs during the clinical examination. He ensures his ability to treat the case safely. This clinical synthesis leads to osteopathic treatment which can address all anatomical systems.
The manipulations always respect the principle of precaution and are applied according to the age and the medical history of the patient.
The osteopath thus broaches a multitude of pathologies that require fundamental and medical knowledges contained in his training, without spilling over therapeutic interventions reserved for other specialists.