Here are some good 'definitions' of what Osteopathy is:

"Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment which emphasizes methods of recognizing and alleviating structural and mechanical problems of the body."

(Lord Walton, House of Lords, Second Reading of the Osteopaths Bill, 27.5.93).

"Osteopathy is a distinctive health care profession, which facilitates the realization of healthy integrated functioning in the individual, by restoring, sustaining and enhancing homoeostasis of the neuro musculo skeletal system, evaluating and treating by palpation and manual intervention, complemented by health education approaches. It recognizes the primacy of the therapeutic relationship and is based on principles first enunciated by Andrew Taylor Still."

(The GCRO Competence Exercise Committee 1992).

"Osteopathic medicine is a philosophy of health care and a distinctive art, supported by expanding scientific knowledge; its philosophy embraces the concept of the unity of the living organism's structure (anatomy) and function (physiology). Its art is the application of the philosophy in the practice of medicine and surgery in all its branches and specialties. Its science includes the behavioral, chemical, physical, spiritual and biological knowledge related to the establishment and maintenance of health as well as the prevention and alleviation of disease."

(Anon.)

Osteopathic concepts emphasize the following principles:

1. The human person is a unit in which structure, function, mind and spirit are mutually and reciprocally interdependent.
2. The body, through a complex equilibrium system, tends to be self-regulatory and self-healing in the face of disease processes.
3. Adequate function of body systems depends upon the unimpeded circulatory mechanisms, nerve impulses and neurotrophic influences.
4. A rational treatment regimen is based on this philosophy and these principles.

(American Osteopathic Association 1991).

"Osteopathy is a distinctive health care profession based on principles first enunciated by AT Still, which facilitates the realization of healthy integrated functioning in the individual, both within the body and the patient's relationships to his or her environment, by restoring, sustaining and enhancing mechanical homoeostasis of body tissues, with particular reference to the neuro musculo skeletal system, by evaluating and treating with palpation and manual intervention and complemented by health education."

(Mr N Handoll 1992).

"The aim of osteopathy is to correct problems in the body frame, making it easier for the body to function normally and reducing the chance of problems occurring in the future. In seeking to maintain good health and prevent future problems, the osteopath's plan may include advice on posture, diet, lifestyle and stress."

(Which? October 1993).

"Osteopathy is that science which consists of such exact, exhaustive and verifiable knowledge of the structure and function of the human mechanism, anatomical, physiological and psychological, including the chemistry and physics of its known elements, as has made discoverable certain organic laws and remedial resources, within the body itself by which nature under the scientific treatment peculiar to osteopathic practice, apart from all ordinary methods of extraneous, artificial or medicinal stimulation, and in harmonious accord with its own mechanical principles, molecular activities and metabolic processes, may recover from displacements, disorganization, derangements and consequent disease
and regain its normal equilibrium of form and function in health and strength."

(Andrew Taylor Still Autobiography, 1st edition 1897).

Osteopathy is defined in the General Council and Register of Osteopaths' leaflet, "Osteopathy Your Questions Answered", as "The Science of human mechanics". It is the system of diagnosis and treatment which lays its main emphasis on the structural and mechanical problems of the body,

"The Osteopath is most concerned with the body framework and how it is functioning."

The musculoskeletal system is the largest system in the human body and is
constructed of muscles, bone, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and numerous neurological components that coordinate the whole system.

The musculoskeletal system is what enables the human being to express his or her thoughts and emotions. All other systems, it could be said, exist merely to enable the continuing function of the musculoskeletal system. The cardiovascular, digestive, circulatory, and neurological systems enable optimal function and coordination for the movement and operation of the musculoskeletal system.

Correct mechanical functioning of this system, therefore, is crucial and this is where the purpose of the osteopath lies. They ensure harmony and balance to minimize energy expenditure and wear and tear of this system.

The British Medical Association, in its 1993 Report "Complementary Medicine: New Approaches to Good Practice (ISBN 0-19-286166-2), describes osteopathy as a 'discrete clinical discipline'. It is, in fact, an established system of clinical diagnosis and manual treatment in which a caring approach to the patient and attention to individual needs are particularly important.

In particular, it is concerned with the inter-relationship between the structure of the body and the way in which it functions and is therefore an appropriate form of therapy for many problems affecting the neuro musculo skeletal systems. However, osteopaths use a wide variety of approaches to treatment and can
bring relief or improvement to many conditions affecting, for example, children, the elderly, sportsmen and women, or to problems which arise during or after pregnancy.

What is the difference between Osteopathy and Medicine?

Osteopathy and medicine have a lot in common. They use scientific knowledge of anatomy and physiology. They both use clinical methods of investigation. In this regard they have a common language.

Osteopaths will recognize conditions that should be referred to a qualified specialist.

Osteopathy differs from medicine, and therefore may be able to complement it, in matters of evaluation of a patient and treatment. The evaluation of the patient, when serious pathology has been ruled out, is concerned with the way the person leads his life, the physical and psychological stresses on the body, effects of trauma and aging on the body, and the way the body is adjusting to (compensating for) these effects. The treatment aims to improve circulation, reduce muscle spasm, improve and maintain flexibility, maintain nerve supply, and restore muscle and joint function and equilibrium. The treatment may consist of massage techniques, manipulation of joints, adjustment of posture, and health education. Underlying these differences is the basic principle of osteopathy, namely that the body is a functional unit: the inter-relationships between body systems are so extensive that none can be considered in isolation. Improving one aspect is therefore likely to improve other aspects. This is expressed in the osteopathic principle that there is a reciprocity between structure and function.

Even where pathology is diagnosed, osteopathic treatment might work well hand-in-hand with medicine.

A final difference is that the osteopath will spend time helping the patient maintain a realistic level of health and avoid those things that might occasion further ill-health.


What sort of conditions and problems do osteopaths treat?

Osteopaths treat a wide range of conditions that occur in patients as diverse as the smallest neo-nate to elderly people. While osteopaths are perhaps best known to the general public as specialists in treating disorders of musculoskeletal system, osteopathy is actually a complete (holistic) primary healthcare discipline not just for bad backs and stiff necks.