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Understanding the Osteopathic Knowledge of the Musculoskeletal System

In the discipline of osteopathy the musculoskeletal system is often mistaken as simply referring to the spine. Instead, it is actually considered an entire organic system that incorporates both the muscles and the bones of the skeleton. In addition, it also encompasses the joints, ligaments, cartilage, and the tendons. The founder of the osteopathic movement, Dr. Andrew Still, was firmly convinced that the manipulation of the musculoskeletal system within the confines of osteopathic practice was a most promising means of curing disease without the need for harmful chemicals and medicines that were so prevalent after the Civil War.

Today the movement for a mainstream understanding of the osteopathic knowledge of the musculoskeletal system has led to a variety of groundbreaking treatments involving carpal tunnel syndrome, migraines, asthma and even pain. This is achieved via hands-on treatments that some have gone so far as to call healing touches. Known under the umbrella of osteopathic manipulative treatments, doctors of osteopathy use direct hand contact to diagnose, evaluate, and also treat a large number of ailments. Mind you, such physicians do not discredit the use of laboratory tests and instead many are known for their thorough approach in this realm. Yet the success that many a doctor of osteopathy enjoys without the need for a prescription pad is virtually legendary.

During treatments, the physician will manipulate the muscles as well as the joints and attempt to recreate a healthful alignment. This mimics, to a certain extent, the work a chiropractor does. Above and beyond chiropractics, however, is the manipulation of the muscles as well. It is this little additional step that is considered the root cause for so many cures and also positive experiences patients are reporting when undergoing treatment for a variety of ills. Stretching, massage and resistance, pressure treatments, and also gentle realignment procedures all factor into an osteopathic musculoskeletal system treatment that is certain to bring about results for the patient.

The effects of the musculoskeletal system manipulation are manifold: patients report an increase in mobility and a decrease in the pain that is experienced. This directly translates into the body's ability to direct energy to self healing, one of the major tenets of osteopathy. This takes into account that the body in itself is a unit, rather than a sum of its part and a sum of symptoms that may or may not be related to one another. The true doctor of osteopathy firmly believes that only by ensuring that the entire body receives a healing touch, one part of it can be restored to good health.

Patients are surprised when they learn that rather than receiving a large number of prescriptions, they are instead treated to a well rounded musculoskeletal system treatment. Some may actually be so startled that they wonder if they indeed walked into the office of a credentialed and licensed primary care physician! Soon put at ease by the copious documentation attesting to the osteopathic doctor's abilities, the average patient will embrace the difference in approaches between an M.D. and a D.O.