Osteopathy: the art of bringing movement to the body

Osteopathy is an alternative health therapy that begins to grow stronger in Spain due to the outstanding results it has had in Europe. This technique is gentle, safe and effective when performed by professional therapists, it is considered an art to diagnose and treat dysfunction of the human body by manipulation aimed at improving the muscle-skeletal structure.

Osteopathy comes from the Greek, osteo (bone) and patos (illness). It is a natural medicine that requires, for professional practice, a training period of five years in which the practitioner should consider the three main branches of osteopathy: the articular, visceral and cranial areas.

What is osteopathy?

It is a non aggressive and manual technique, which has a very different original philosophy from physiotherapy and alternatives and oriental massages. Osteopathy is based on the micro-movements of the body with special emphasis on body structure and carrying out the treatment on soft tissues and joints making corrections.

How to perform a session?

Usually, the therapist considers basically the degree of movement and freedom of expression of the patient's body. From this assessment, the osteopath will work with a special massage in certain joints or areas where the patient has physical problems or ailments.

This osteopathic diagnosis differs from the doctor as an osteopath is only responsible to note that structures are blocked or dysfunctional, always from the point of view of the movement.

When the patient arrives with a knee problem, for example, the degree of mobility and pain are evaluated, and an assessment of those muscles that may be involved is made. If there are severe restrictions on movement, soft tissues that could cause such restriction are evaluated. This assessment includes muscles, tendons, ligaments and joint capsules.

In addition, the degree of inflammation if present is evaluated, and the position, the support and involvement of viscera and organs are reviewed.

The osteopath will try, as much as possible, to improve the functionality and mobility of joints and tissues, and improve the position of the subject to reduce pain and inflammation using manual techniques.

There are other techniques such as visceral or cranial that differ slightly from the one described, but basically the osteopath is aimed at normalizing body structure redressing injuries that impede the movement and the functioning of the body.

What is an osteopathic lesion?

It is the restriction of movement in a joint within the physiological limits of motion of the joint, it is not dislocated but sub-dislocated, which irritates the peri-articular tissues and generates phenomena of spinal reflex arc (somato-visceral reflex) or muscle contractures.

When should I try this alternative?

Osteopathy is recommended in cases of:

• Severe headache and migraine.
• Back pain, sciatica, sacroiliitis, coccydynia
• Backache
• Consequences of accidents, falls, trauma, etc.
• Muscle-skeletal pain
• Postural problems.
• Excessive stress in both adults and children, it is an alternative extremely relaxing.
• Pain and swelling of neck (cervical, cervicobrachialgia, etc.)
• Pain in the neck (torticollis)
• Aches and joint conditions such as osteoarthritis, arthritis, the metacarpal, etc.
• Herniated disc
• Vertigo, dizziness
• Elbow and shoulder problems (frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, etc. ..)
• Dental occlusion
• To support sports and preventive medicine
• Problems in curvature of the spine, scoliosis (both children and adults)
• Infertility, digestive system problems, lung, liver, etc.

What is cranial osteopathy?

This alternative treats problems related to bone structure of the skull and jaw, considering the great importance that these have on the central and autonomic nervous system, as well as posture and on certain tasks.

This alternative is used primarily in postural problems, head trauma, problems of stroke and neurological disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia, Bell's palsy, headache, vertigo, etc.

What is visceral osteopathy?

This deals specifically with visceral organs and helps to improve their functionality. It is made, for example, to treat the digestive system, helping to release adhesions that may impede blood flow. In the area of the lungs, on the other side, rib cage is stimulated by stimulating the respiratory mechanics, which is closely related to the spine and neck.

An osteopath can use either one or more techniques in one session if necessary.

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