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Are You Hip To Osteopathy?

As society is moving to a more holistic approach, the term osteopathy crops up more frequently; at times it is thought to be synonymous with chiropractic care, although this is a mistaken impression. It is true that osteopaths also believe in the manipulation of the patient's spine, but they go further by seeking to manipulate the entire musculoskeletal system. To ensure that you are hip to osteopathy and understand fully what this medical approach is all about, here are the facts about this medical practice:

* An osteopathic doctor (D.O.) is a licensed, degreed and accredited physician. She or he chose to divert to the osteopathy path as opposed the M.D. path. In medical expertise and education, both medical professionals are equal.

* An osteopath works to help the body cure itself with the least invasive mechanisms and also without prescription or over the counter drugs, whenever possible.

* Osteopaths recognize that an improperly aligned spine and subsequent depression of nerves may be the root cause for a number of ailments that are commonly only treated on the symptomatic level by the medical establishment.

* It is recognized that the danger of such spinal problem may cause compounding issues that eventually may lead to even more dire health consequences. To this end, the skilled osteopath will seek to avert future problems by restoring the patient's body to its original healthful shape.

* A doctor's visit with an osteopath is entirely different from the visit you would expect to have at an M.D. office. For example, you will be addressed on a more personal level, setting you up for a relationship of trust that is to exist between the patient and the doctor. Even as your medical history is part of the fact finding, there is a lot of attention paid to your everyday activities and the strain you may be under. In addition, the D.O. is most likely going to do a hands-on examination that focuses on the health of your spine, your muscles, and also your ability to perform fluid movements that are neither rickety nor painful. It is the doctor's goal to ascertain your actual range of motion of the joints, which is then compared to the ideal range of motion for an individual of your height, weight, and age.

* An osteopath will frequently order lab work and also x-rays as well as MRIs so as to find out if there are problems which can already be seen in your lab values, even if they have not yet become symptomatic.

There is a common misconception that each and every visit to a D.O. results in musculoskeletal manipulation. It is much more true that these are only reserved for certain conditions that merit such attention. Instead, you may find that lifestyle changes, nutritional supplementation, and even a change in nutrition are all at the heart of this kind of health treatment.

Another misconception is the notion that a D.O. will never prescribe any medications. This is untrue. Instead, medications may be prescribed, but only for the most serious of occasions, when other means do not work or may not work immediately.