Taking medications or getting surgery might not be at the top of your treatment list. If you want a more holistic way to heal your body, then you should learn more about osteopathy. It can help with a plethora of health conditions from osteoporosis or sleeping issues to breathing problems and nerve disorders. The term was first used in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still. The word ‘osteon’ means ‘bone’ in Greek, and ‘pathos’ translates to ‘suffering.’ The branch of medicine is founded on the concept that all body parts and systems are interrelated and require proper care for overall wellness and good health.Keep reading for 10 FAQs about osteopathy.

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a branch of medicine that focuses on holistic, hands-on technique as a means of health care. It is drug-free and non-invasive. Osteopathy deals with treating the whole body rather than an injured or affected area. Osteopathic physicians may also serve as your primary care physician for other fields including pediatrics, family medicine, or internal care.

What Are Some Techniques of Osteopathy?

As a manipulative medicine, osteopathy uses techniques such as gentle pressure, stretching, and resistance to healing ailments of the body. In some cases, your osteopathic physician might still recommend prescriptions or surgeries depending on your personal condition. Before that, the techniques will be used, especially on the joints, muscles, and spine.

What Does Osteopathy Help Treat?

The practice of osteopathy can provide relief to many health ailments including arthritis, headaches, and back pain. However, you can have pain from your neck to your foot, and everything in between; osteopathy can help treat ankle, knee, hip, hand, and shoulder pain. The holistic medicine is known for healing tennis and golfer’s elbow, too.

How Does Osteopathy Help Posture?

People often have bad posture. It can happen for several reasons from pregnancy to driving or work strain. Digestive issues might be the culprit or a sports injury. Osteopathy might help no matter what causes your back to hunch and your shoulders to slouch. You should also consider treating any underlying problems.

What Should You Expect at the First Appointment?

After ensuring your doctor is licensed to practice and accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), you can expect a consultation during your first appointment. The physician will ask about your health and perform a physical exam as well. You may have to do basic stretches or movements to demonstrate your mobility and posture.

How Does Treatment Work?

Since osteopathic doctors are trained in anatomy and physiology, they can use their hands to not only diagnose the problem but also treat it. The manipulative medicine can help restore proper motion in joints. In turn, it can relieve tension on the muscles as the body heals itself. In some cases, a doctor may also recommend prescriptions or surgeries depending on your condition.

Can Osteopathy Help With Nerve Disorders?

Osteopathy focuses on all aspects of the body including the skeleton, joints, and muscles, but also the nerves, circulation, connective tissues, and organs, too. Therefore, it helps with the physiologic properties of the body, too. This includes a number of internal functions like metabolism, respiration, and reproduction. If you have you neuralgia, a painful nerve disorder, osteopathy can help.

Is an Osteopathic Doctor the Same as a Chiropractor?

Although visiting a chiropractor can help some of the same health ailments as osteopathy, they are different types of medicine. Mainly because a chiropractor will pop or crack specific joints that are problematic areas. Osteopathy, on the other hand, views the body as a whole including the inner organs, muscles, and skeletal system.

How Can You Heal From Osteopathy On Your Own?

Although you will not be able to perform the manipulative motion techniques in certain areas, you can still engage in osteopaths as home. Staying hydrated, eating proper nutrition, and getting moderate exercise are all important. You also should practice proper breathing and posture techniques. Sleeping enough and wearing decent shoes can also affect the need for osteopathy.

Are There Any Risks Associated With Osteopathy?

Although the techniques are gentle, you may be sore for 24 to 48 hours after visiting your osteopathic doctor. It is also common to feel stiff as though you were exercising. You may also experience a minor headache for a short time. Older people who receive osteopathic medicine can have more severe pain although it is less common. Numbness and tingling might be present if you have osteoporosis.