Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a natural therapy and was developed by an American physician Dr Andrew Taylor Still in 1874, as an alternative to allopathic medicine which is predominately drug based. It is a unique therapeutic system of health care that encompasses a specific philosophical approach based on certain principles involving hands-on diagnosis and treatment. The principles of Osteopathy are:
- The body is a unit.
- The body has self-regulating mechanisms.
- Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
- Treatment is based upon the first three principles.
The Osteopath believes that when all of the systems of the body are able to function well and in unison, the body has the ability to self correct. Based on this premise the musculoskeletal, neurovascular, immune, digestive, lymphatic and hormonal systems all function together and are considered by the osteopath when treatment is given.
To qualify as an Osteopath in Australia a five year government accredited university qualification in Osteopathy and Clinical Science is required. These courses cover osteopathic diagnosis and treatment, anatomy, physiology, pathology, radiology, embryology and differential diagnosis.