Does your Osteopath Help?

Is Osteopathic Medicine Effective For Back Pain Relief?

Most of you who see an Osteopath will already know the answers to these questions. For the rest of you knowing whether it is beneficial is less clear. After all, is this therapy for everyone and what is it anyway.

The Back Pain Advisor gives you an unbiased view of Osteopathy, so you can determine whether seeking help is an ideal back pain treatment option for you.

Back pain affects over 80% of adults at some stage - fact! Knowing what you can do to eliminate it is the key, whether you see a back specialist or decide to use self help . Understanding what each back pain therapy does is essential, it then allows you to make an informed choice in your back pain issues.

What Is Osteopathy?

Is osteopathy that much different to a Chiropractor ? Actually the two professions are very similar in their view of the body and what causes your back pain . In fact – the two professions were formalized by two friends with differing opinions. The basis is the same the philosophy is different.

Your practitioner will assess your spine and see where they think corrections need to take place. Within Osteopathy there are numerous different forms of techniques and where you train makes a big difference.

The philosophy is that the human body operates in much the same way as a machine, with all parts linked and connected, and with structure being closely related to function. This means damage to one part can have effects on other systems or organs.

Underlying this theory is the belief that the human body has all of the abilities to gain, and maintain optimal health, and an in-built repair system that enables you to recover from injury and disease.

As with any system in the body, this in-built repair system functions best when the machine is working correctly. By using techniques, that promote sufficient blood flow, your practitioner will help maintain optimal function of the internal organs, which in turn promotes and maintains the body’s balanced production of natural chemicals.

There are a range of techniques used, such as soft tissue massage (similar to massage therapy), muscle stretching, gentle manipulation and joint mobilizations.

Specially developed ‘slow release techniques’ are commonly used in the elderly and the very young, to make sure that the treatment is both safe and comfortable.

As part of the holistic, or ‘whole person’, approach to optimal health, practitioners also may use exercise programs, a healthy diet and nutrition, and emotional well being (through techniques such as stress reduction exercises and strategies) to help improve treatment. As with all back pain therapies, some practitioners have this approach and others don’t.

In the USA your practitioner has the same practice rights as your medical doctor. Outside the USA they are almost identical to Chiropractic care .

What will your Osteopath do?

Most practitioners will take a full case history (as do Chiropractors), assess your spine including posture and determine the best corrective measures. Osteopathic adjustments to the spine are usually gentler than a Chiropractic adjustment. Although these lines are now blurred with both professions using many different techniques.

Cranial Osteo-pathy is becoming popular where the movement of the skull is assessed. This has been shown clinically to help in a range of problems from colic in babies to headaches in adults.

Manipulation of the spine is safe, as with Chiropractic, although with all manipulative therapies care is needed. If you have any degenerative changes, Osteoporosis or bone diseases, manipulation is not advised.

As the training is extensive, your practitioner should be able to determine when manipulation is safe and when it isn’t.

Most practitioners will assess your entire spine and even assess your limbs also. As with all back pain therapies, each practitioner is different. You will have some that only deal with the spine and others that will assess and treat your general health as well.

As to which is better, is a personal decision. This decision is helped if you understand the difference between each back specialist and who you identify with. Back pain is important, knowing who to see and why is also important.

Is it Safe?

Like all professions that deal with the spine or joints in general. Your practitioner is as safe as the amount of care they take. No doubt you would have heard of horror stories about spinal manipulation. If care is taken, any warning signs are looked into, and then all manipulation is safe, whether performed by your Osteopath, Chiropractor, Medic or whoever.

The big question is the same for all professions. Who is good and how can you tell a good Osteopath from a bad one? The answer lies in the Sugar Test.

The "Sugar Test" is a process used to determine of the practitioner is best for you, and how you will benefit. Applied to any practitioner, whether it is Osteopathy or whoever, and then you can determine who is good.

The Back Pain Advisor gives you expert and valuable advice, so you can see if your Osteopath will help you in your quest to remove back pain. An Osteopath will benefit you if they pass the Sugar Test, then their treatment will help you remove your back pain.

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Back Pain Therapies

Chiropractic Care	Acupressure	Acupuncture
Feldenkrais	Physical Therapy	Massage Therapy
Shiatsu Massage	Bowen Therapy	Alexander technique

Are you confused? A simple practitioner guide is here to help remove the confusion on the ideal back pain treatment for you.