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So What Exactly is Osteopathy?
The philosophy of Osteopathy is the underlying basis when an Osteopath treats a patient.
The human body operates in much the same way as a machine, with all
parts interrelated, and with structure being closely related to
function. Further to this and extending the machine analogy further,
damage to one part can have adverse effects on other systems or organs.
Underlying this theory is our belief that the human body has all of the
necessary elements to attain, and maintain, optimal health, and an
in-built repair system that enables us to recover from injury and
disease.
As with any system in the body, this in-built repair system functions
best when the machine is functionally sound. By using clinically
developed techniques, that promote sufficient blood flow, osteopaths
help maintain optimal function of the internal organs, which in turn
promotes and maintains the body’s balanced production of natural
chemicals.
The principal technique that we employ is ‘Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy’ or OMT for short.
Examples of OMT are:
Soft Tissue Massage
Muscle Stretching
Passive Range of Motion
Gentle Joint Manipulation
Specially developed ‘slow release techniques’ are commonly used in
the elderly and the very young, to ensure that the treatment is both
safe and comfortable.
As part of the holistic, or ‘whole person’, approach to optimal health,
osteopaths also consider the roles of appropriate exercise programs, a
healthy diet and nutrition, and emotional well being (through
techniques such as stress reduction exercises and strategies) as
important factors in your treatment.
In a nutshell, the aim of osteopathy is to restore the individual’s
natural abilities to heal, by using a combination of biomechanics,
lifestyle improvements, and healthy nutrition.
In Australia, Osteopathy has been practiced since 1909 and, as well as
the United States, is widely practiced throughout the United Kingdom,
Europe and New Zealand.
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