Osteopathy is a way of detecting and treating damaged parts of the body such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints. When the body is balanced and efficient, just like a well tuned engine, it will function with the minimum of wear and tear, leaving more energy for living.

Osteopaths treat a variety of common conditions including changes to posture in pregnancy; babies with colic or sleeplessness, repetitive strain injury, postural problems caused by driving or work strain, the pain of arthritis and sports injuries.

On your first visit, a full medical case history will be taken. An examination will be carried out (you may be asked to remove some clothing for this) and you may then be asked to perform a few simple movements so the osteopath can assess the problem.

The osteopath will use their highly developed sense of touch called palpation to assess areas of weakness, tenderness, restriction or strain within your body.
The osteopath will make a diagnosis and discuss it with you and if osteopathic treatment is suitable it will be offered to you. Treatment will be aimed at helping to restore normal joint stability and function.

Osteopaths usually start any treatment by releasing and relaxing muscles and stretching stiff joints, using gentle massage techniques, rhythmic joint movements and muscle release techniques. The osteopath may also carry out manipulation using short, quick movements to spinal joints. Other techniques may also be used depending on your problem.

Treatments usually last up to half an hour, and normally between 2 and 6 sessions are required. Many patients decide that they would like to have periodic preventative treatments to avoid recurring problems.

These are the eight major principles of osteopathy and are widely believed throughout the international osteopathic community.

1. The body is a unit.
2. Structure and function are reciprocally inter-related.
3. The body possesses self-regulatory mechanisms.
4. The body has the inherent capacity to defend and repair itself.
5. When the normal adaptability is disrupted, or when environmental changes overcome the body’s capacity for self maintenance, disease may ensue.
6. The movement of body fluids is essential to the maintenance of health.
7. The nerves play a crucial part in controlling the fluids of the body.
8. There are somatic components to disease that are not only manifestations of disease, but also are factors that contribute to maintenance of the disease state.

At the DaVinci Natural Health Centre we take structural problems seriously and addressing these is part of the Holistic approach that underpins the Centre's successful treatments.

Videos to Watch:

Osteopathy in Russia

Osteopathy in Russia: Part II

Osteopathic Medicine Goes to China

Australian Osteopathic Association

Back Pain

Osteopathy and Back Pain

Sacroiliac and Low Back Pain

Further Reading:

Autobiography of A.T. Still (Founder of Osteopathy) 1897

History of Osteopathy (1906)

Concerning Osteopathy (1919)

Essentials of Osteopathy (1903)

A Manual of Osteopathy (1909)

Philosophy of Osteopathy (1899)

Textbook of Osteopathy (1910)