Based on the concept that well-being depends on bones, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue functioning together, osteopathy is a system for detecting, treating, and preventing health problems through movement, stretching, and massaging the muscles and joints.
Osteopaths use stretching, massage, and physical manipulation to increase the mobility of joints, relieve muscle tension, reduce pain, enhance the blood supply to the tissues, and help the body to heal.
The majority of those who see an osteopathic practitioner do so for help with conditions affecting the muscles, bones, and joints, including lower back pain, uncomplicated neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, sports injuries, problems with the pelvis, hips, and legs, and arthritis. However, some osteopathic practitioners see patients suffering from other problems, such as asthma, digestive disorders, depression, scoliosis, and temporomandibular disorders.
Osteopathy was founded by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, an American MD, Civil War surgeon, and Kansas state and territorial legislator, in 1874. Dr. Still came to believe that human illnesses were rooted in problems with the musculoskeletal system and that osteopathic manipulations could be used to facilitate the body's natural healing powers. Osteopathy uses a drug-free, non-invasive form of manual medicine that focuses on the whole person, not just the diseased or injured part.
Dr. Still founded the American School of Osteopathy in 1892. When Missouri, where his school was located, granted the institution the right to award the MD degree, Dr. Still chose to retain the distinction of the DO degree, as he remained dissatisfied with the limitations of conventional medicine.
Today, osteopathic medicine is a branch of the medical profession in the United States, where it is often referred to as allopathic medicine. Osteopathic physicians (DOs) are graduates of osteopathic medical colleges and are licensed to practice the full scope of medicine and surgery in all fifty states, and more than eighty other countries.
However, full acceptance of the medical community has resulted in significant changes to the philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine in the United States. The distinction between MDs and DOs has eroded significantly. Osteopathic physicians attend four years of medical school, like their MD counterparts, acquiring the equivalent training in medicine and surgery. In practice, DOs may use all of the conventional methods of diagnosis and treatment, and many of them no longer practice osteopathic manipulation techniques, while others coordinate the use of traditional and osteopathic medicine.
This is not the case in other countries or areas where traditional osteopathic medicine remains in practice. MDs tend to regard osteopathic treatments as being rooted in pseudoscientific dogma, and a spokesperson for the American Medical Association has referred to DOs as cultists from 1923 to 1962. Many licensed DOs in the United States consider traditional osteopathic medical practices as pseudoscience, although they may use some of its techniques in practice.
To distinguish licensed osteopathic doctors from unlicensed osteopathic practitioners in the United States and other countries where similar professions are recognized, unlicensed practitioners are referred to as osteopaths, and cannot refer to themselves as osteopathic physicians.
Thus, the profession has evolved into two branches: non-physician osteopaths and osteopathic physicians, and the regulation of non-physician osteopaths varies greatly between jurisdictions. In Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, non-physician osteopaths are regulated by statute and registered. The non-physician practice of osteopathy is practiced in most of the Canadian provinces, and it is not a government-regulated profession. No training programs have been established for osteopathic physicians in Canada, although there are US-trained DOs in practice within the country. The Province of Quebec is considering implementing a professional osteopathy program, consisting of a bachelor's degree followed by a master's degree in osteopathy.
Topics referring to the practice of osteopathy or osteopathic medicine, whether licensed or unlicensed, are appropriate for this category.
Categories
Cranial Osteopathy |
Recommended Resources
American Academy of Osteopathy
The AAO is the Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (NMM/OMM) specialty college. As a specialty college, AAO provides NMM/OMM continuing medical education courses, advocates at the national and specialty college levels on issues impacting its members, and offers other programs to teach, advocate, and research the science, art, and philosophy of osteopathic medicine. Student, resident, and physician membership levels are available, and contacts are posted.
https://www.academyofosteopathy.org/
American Osteopathic Association
Representing osteopathic physicians and medical students across the United States, AOA members have access to tracking tools, personal assistance from the organization's Physician's Services team in the areas of documentation, coding, billing compliance, payments, and insurer problems, as well as guidance on CME, board certification, student and resident affairs, and research. Other member value program benefits are also featured, along with grants and other programs.
https://osteopathic.org/
Canadian Federation of Osteopaths
Founded in 2003, the CFO is a national association for osteopaths, consisting of members from established provincial and territorial associations. Member associations are identified, with contacts, and the status of osteopathic practitioners is outlined on the site, including the fact that US-trained osteopathic physicians are not affiliated with the CFO. BMS Canada Risk Services, the broker for the CFO and its liability insurance program, is featured, and links to other resources are included.
https://www.osteopathy.ca/
Nutritional deficiencies and toxic elements can affect the health of the gut, mind, body, and immune systems. Toxins can be anywhere, from heavy metals to chemicals, parasites, and molds. Dr. Ray Psonak is a licensed Osteopathic Physician in Maine who practices in the specialties of integrative, functional, and environmental medicine. He offers home tests to identify and correct nutritional deficiencies and mineral imbalances, as well as telehealth appointments.
https://healthalways.com/
Representing osteopaths in Australia, the organization advocates and lobbies for its members, from students to associates, the experienced business owners. An overview of the organization is set forth, including its membership policies, membership types, committees, and working groups. Employment opportunities are published on the site, and advertising for vacant positions, CPD courses, products, and services are available. Its advocacy, research, and career information are included.
https://osteopathy.org.au/
With three locations in Singapore, the Osteopathic Centre has been in operation since 2008. Specific treatment plans are focused on determining the root of the problem and are aimed at restoring optimum function and well-being for people of all ages. Its locations, hours, contacts, appointment policies, cancellation policies, and fees are stated, and an overview of its services is included. Other resources include career opportunities, self-help suggestions, and links to additional resources.
https://www.theosteo.com.sg/
Osteopathic Heritage Foundations
The OHF is made up of two private non-profit foundations that share a common mission, vision, and staff, while maintaining separate governing boards and funding concentrations. While serving statewide and national interests pertaining to osteopathic medical education and research, the Foundations' philanthropic activities are concentrated in Central and Southeast Ohio. Its funding approach and interests, awards, and opportunities are set forth, and contacts are posted on the site.
https://osteopathicheritage.org/
Osteopathic International Alliance
The OIA is a leading organization for the advancement and unity of the global osteopathic profession, connecting schools, regulatory bodies, and regional, national, and multi-country groups. Organized in 2003, the OIA was admitted into official relations with the World Health Organization in 2018, and currently represents organizations from more than twenty countries across five continents. Its membership policies, a calendar of events, a photo gallery, and contacts are posted.
https://oialliance.org/
The New Zealand osteopathic practice is featured here, including biographical and professional information about the osteopathic practitioners, telephone numbers, email addresses, payment options, fees, and online appointment bookings. Osteopathy is defined, with information about the qualifications of osteopaths, treatment modalities, and a discussion of what sorts of conditions an osteopath is likely to treat. Information on what to expect from a first consultation is included.
https://www.theosteopathicpractice.co.nz/
Osteopathy's Promise to Children is not a medical provider and does not provide medical services. Such services rendered by physicians within Osteopathic Center San Diego are provided through the physicians' independent medical practices. Based in San Diego, California, the non-profit organization highlights upcoming webinars, live events, and other programs related to osteopathy, including prices and other details, and the American Academy of Pediatric Osteopathy is highlighted.
https://the-promise.org
Worldwide Alliance of Equine Osteopaths
WAEO is a 501(c)4 mutual benefit organization made up of volunteer equine osteopaths from around the world who have achieved EDO status by passing examinations put forth by the International Registry of Equine Osteopaths. The organization meets monthly to discuss future plans, new membership benefit ideas, fund-raising opportunities, and future conference planning. Continuing education programs are included, along with other activities to promote educational and scientific research.
https://www.equineosteopathy.org/
