Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

The term "osteopathy" originates from the Greek words "osteo" (bone) and "pathia," which means suffering.

Osteopathy is a special type of medical practice that provides all the benefits of modern medicine for diagnosing conditions and diseases, as well as evaluating injuries. What sets osteopathy apart is its system of treatment and approach, which involves a holistic line of action with a focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle and preventing illness in the first place.

Osteopathy represents a system that entails a comprehensive approach, from diagnosis to treatment, for various medical conditions. Osteopathy is based on the principle that an individual's overall well-being depends on the proper functioning of the skeleton, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue working harmoniously.

In short, for your body to function properly, its structure must also be balanced. Osteopathy is centered around restoring the body's balance, achieving this without the use of drugs or surgical interventions, whenever healing can be achieved in this way. In addition, osteopathy serves as an excellent preventive measure to avoid illness in the first place.

Osteopathy Treatment at Fizionova

If you believe you are suffering from conditions that could benefit from osteopathic treatment, please contact us, and our staff will provide you with detailed information and schedule an appointment at the earliest available time that suits you. We offer fast and non-invasive solutions for over 50 conditions and injuries.

Following a thorough examination, our doctors will recommend the best treatment for your individual case. As for the osteopathic methods used, our experts will first identify sources of tension and blockages in the body that may cause pain, poor circulation, or restricted mobility. They will then suggest techniques or sets of techniques to release this tension, improve circulation, and enhance the overall mobility of dysfunctional components of the musculoskeletal system and the entire body. Additionally, you will receive exercise recommendations and lifestyle changes to prevent the recurrence of the issues that brought you to us.

What Osteopathic Methods Are Used and Who Are They For?

Osteopathic methods involve physical manipulation, stretching, and massage for:

• Improved joint mobility
• Relief of muscle tension
• Enhanced nerve and tissue blood flow
• Improved self-healing mechanisms

Besides these methods, osteopaths provide individuals with exercises that contribute to recovery and educate them on proper body posture and handling various objects, all with the goal of maintaining structural balance and preventing the recurrence of symptoms.

What Conditions Can Be Treated with Osteopathy?

Osteopaths can be consulted by both older and younger individuals, most commonly including people exposed to significant physical strain—athletes and manual labourers, as well as those who spend extended periods in a seated position, such as the elderly and office workers. Commonly addressed issues are lower back pain, pain caused by arthritis, postural problems, and problems stemming from sports injuries.

Osteopathy for Children, Pregnant Women, and Mothers

As mentioned earlier, children can be treated with osteopathic methods from a very early age. In fact, babies aged 4 to 6 months, along with their mothers, are recommended to undergo osteopathic consultations to address traumas resulting from childbirth, incorrect positioning in the womb, and other factors.

Osteopathy is applied primarily for difficulties with swallowing, gastrointestinal problems in children, frequent vomiting, uncontrolled crying, diagnosed spinal, neck, hip, knee, or foot problems, or minor skull bone deformities.

During pregnancy, women go through significant physiological and structural changes that affect their daily functioning. Osteopathy is believed to alleviate pain in pregnant women by eliminating somatic dysfunction and maintaining proper body structure. Additionally, it has been shown that osteopathic treatment can control hemodynamic changes in the uterine body, reduce the duration of labour, and prevent complications during childbirth. After giving birth, therapies can be useful in restoring the body's structure.

Prevention

In most cases, when patients' initial pain subsides, they stop treatment and consult specialists only if the problem reoccurs. However, without the proper care and compliance with prescribed prevention measures, these patients are almost guaranteed to return for further treatment.

As we've already mentioned, osteopathy is equally valuable for preventing the sources of pain and for treating them. The manual techniques used by osteopaths help alleviate tension in the body, a direct result of our modern way of life. They help relax muscles that ultimately pull joints out of alignment. In addition, osteopathy provides insights on how to recognize triggers that can exacerbate pain and how to influence their prevention.

While most people strive to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle, many of us tend to overlook the impact of our busy lives, prolonged sitting, and carrying heavy bags on our health. More movement, less stress, less sitting, and less time spent in an improper posture are recommendations that any specialist would offer. However, few actually heed this advice. If your job requires you to spend an entire shift at a computer, whether standing or in another position that may lead to neck and back pain, it doesn't mean there's nothing you can do about it. You can always take short breaks, go for a walk, and stretch to relax your muscles and give your body the relief it needs.

Exercise is recommended for all age groups, and if you work in such an occupation or a similar one, additional activities outside of working hours are essential. Even if it's basic stretching and warm-up exercises you can do at home. Furthermore, many athletes and professionals regularly undergo osteopathic treatments, even when they have already recovered. Specialists practising osteopathy use osteopathic manipulative therapy to assist both amateur sports enthusiasts and professionals in preventing potential injuries and enhancing their performance. In summary, it's a holistic approach that doesn't end as soon as the pain is alleviated.