Introduction to Osteopathy

[shelley]

Osteopaths are licensed medical doctors who are very similar to chiropractors in that they believe much of ill health and wellness is dependent on the structure of the body. They differ from chiropractors in that they focus on blood circulation rather than nerve channel circulation, which means it's a better modality for major organs, small intestine, large intestine, and lymphatic system.

They can prescribe drugs and perform surgeries just like regular MD's, but they won't reach for a pill as their first and only solution. Thus, if you're like me and uncomfortable with taking prescription medicines that only mask symptoms, an Osteopath is probably the doctor you want to consult on any digestive disorders or even chronic illness, anything involving pain and discomfort.

It does make sense that if one's posture is bad, or if we don't have a full range of movement, that reduces blood circulation which in turn means vital tissues atrophy - slowly die. They don't receive proper nourishment or get cleansed of metablic wastes. Since most metabolic wastes are incredibly toxic (ammonia, airplane glue), pain results very quickly, and getting rid of it is difficult. Just ask anyone suffering from CFS and fibromyalgia.

Part of the problem is we tend to cave when we hurt. It's primal and instinctive. We limit movement and thus decrease circulation further. We take to our beds and thus get sicker. We let it get to the point where ANY motion is painful and it just seems to make good sense to avoid what causes us pain, right?

An Osteopathic physical is trained on how to manipulate the body to increase circulation. It's basically acupuncture without the needles, or massage with a purpose. They use different massage techniques, vibration, and gently move you around to stretch all muscles and relax them. Their technique has been shown to improve all kinds of cases, not just bad back cases, but all sorts of chronic illness.

If you consulted an Osteopathic physician on your chronic constipation, they would know how to manipulate your colon to get it to work. It might take 2-4 weeks, but that's faster than the year some people take with just fiber and diet changes alone.

One of their techniques, vibration, can be done by anyone for anyone really, and you can do it for yourself with a vibrator. I'm sure many people don't bother with this because they don't think a little bit of vibration will do much in the long run, or they've tried using it very hard on sore muscles - which only made them sorer.

A very light touch is all you need to vibrate the liver and increase circulation and thus cleanse it. Just place your hand flat on the abdomen and shake it slightly for 3 minutes. The less pressure you use, the more the vibration will travel all around to the back of the body. You can test this fact on the person's chest - do it with medium pressure and ask where they feel their skin shake. Do it with much lighter pressure - it should go further.

Part of an osteopath's general treatment is to vibrate the lungs, stomach, liver, pancreas, and kidneys for two minutes each. This gentle vibration technique will quickly reduce congestion and inflammation. It can even relieve asthma.

So if you're suffering from brain fog, CFS, IBS, anxiety, insomnia, mercury toxicity, you may want to consider including osteopathic treatments in your protocol. If you can't afford to visit one - or can't find one - there is documentation on the net that you maybe able to decipher and have a partner do at least some of it with you. Here's a good resource:

http://www.meridianinstitute.com/eamt/files/barber/Bar1APPE.htm#GENERAL TREATMENT

[Invincible]

Hi Shelley

Just want to add here that in the UK, Osteopaths are not medical doctors, and tend to have less training than Chiropractors. In the UK, they can't prescribe.

[shelley]

oh now that's interesting! It's really too bad they are marginalized that way, their modalities are non-invasive, really caring, and can be a very effective addition to comprehensive care.

[Rozenkwarts]

I can really recommend seeing an Osteopath for anyone with tense back / shoulder problems and or headaches.

Here's my experience:
Since my 2 pregnancies and lifting babies/heavy baby stuff etc, i had increasingly sore shoulders and back. I also suffered from headaches that would last 3 days/were one sided. The headaches usually went together with sore shoulders. I was aware that i was cramping when my back hurt, which obviously made things worse so it was a vicious circle. (triggers for headaches were often stress and or alcohol (one glass of wine would be enough and constipating or rich foods)

My regular doctor said i have scoliosis ( a crooked spine) and told me to strengthen my back muscles with exercises. Regular gentle exercise really does help especially swimming, unfortunately, i don't have time for very much regular exercise but i try to fit it in whenever i can.

Last summer i went to see an osteopath for the first time. It was an amazing experience. A very nice gentle but confident type asking lots of questions first, wholistic type approach. She gently manipulated my back, turning me in all positions and massaging the spine/muscles. She also massaged my abdomen. She said the spine was blocked in several places and with quick movements clicked it back into place. She blockages were not good because it meant circulation to the connected organs was not functioning well and this all creates problems such as headaches (if left untreated this would all get worse)

After the first session i felt great, relaxed, and my head seemed lighter. I was very tired for a few days.
Since then i have been back about every 3 months. She says my back is getting better but each time she has to unblock it in several places. Through lifting kids, bad posture etc it tends to get back into blocked positions.
I have experienced a vast improvement in my backaches and i don't think i've had a bad headache since!! Definitely worth the investment!
Also, i think my digestion has improved because of the treatments + following a much better diet and following Shelleys great advice for improving digestion. I think my improvements have been due to the combination of these.