An osteopath is a specialist who will help with acute pain in sciatica or chronic intestinal diseases, relieve tension headaches and improve the condition of patients with asthma. See what ailments you can still go to the osteopath and how you should prepare for the first visit.

Osteopathis a specialist whoworks in a similar way to a physical therapist- that is, using manual techniques. However, the scope of the osteopath's activities is much wider. First of all, because osteopathy recognizes the human being as a whole. If something happens to the lumbar spine, the osteopath will not only look after the spine (as will be done by the physical therapist).

Being aware that everything in the body affects itself, will take into account that low back pain may be due to pressure from the gut, and that dysfunction and bulging of the gut may be due to a poor diet. In such a case, the osteopath will work with the bowels and, for example, the chest - where the innervation of many digestive organs comes from. The specialist will additionally recommend a visit to a dietitian and work on emotions (because the unfavorable functioning of the intestines may also result from the stress experienced).

Who can become an osteopath?

You can become a specialist in this field by completing medical studies, obstetrics, physiotherapy, and then studying for the next 5 years at the Academy of Osteopathy.

Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human body is essential in order to work on many layers: from the fascia to the deep muscles.

A thorough knowledge of human functioning, nutrition and the influence of emotions on the body allows osteopaths to safely look after the patient. In addition, the osteopath should know where the limits of his help end and in which cases the intervention of another specialist, e.g. an orthopedist, should start.

How does an osteopath work?

The osteopath helps to regulate the human body only with his own hands. He is equipped with extensive knowledge of various techniques of manual work, incl. knows:

  • what the free flow of blood and lymph should look like in the human body,
  • how to find dysfunctions,
  • how to work with tissues and joints or the circulatory or lymphatic system.

Sometimes you get the feeling that the osteopath is doing nothing when you gently move something on your skull. However, this is only an illusion. Craniosacral therapy is one of the deepest techniques because it works on the entire body. Working with the skull, you can, for example, act on a swollen knee and it is not magic, but a scientifically proven skill.

The most popular techniques of osteopathic work include:

  • Direct techniques- joint techniques based on the speed of their execution and immediate help with pressure.
  • Indirect techniqueswhere the osteopath shifts the structure towards greater mobility.
  • Combined techniques , e.g. craniosacral therapy, visceral techniques, myofascial release.
  • Reflex techniques- Chapman reflexes, trigger points. Here, the osteopath finds individual lumps, "nodules", on which he is working. Reflex techniques also include neuromuscular techniques that are used in the treatment of sensory disturbances, neuralgia or paralysis.
  • Fluid-based techniques- these are lymphatic pump techniques that facilitate lymph flow, eliminate stagnation, and drain toxins.

What ailments can be reported to an osteopath?

The area of ​​the osteopath's activity is so wide that it is difficult to talk about specific ailments in which this type of specialist helps.

Body regulation can refer to:

  • tinnitus,
  • hearing impairment,
  • chronic sinusitis,
  • chronic otitis media,
  • acute infections with fever,
  • asthma and other respiratory diseases,
  • visual impairment,
  • glaucoma,
  • cataracts,
  • ailments related to the joints, e.g. osteoarthritis,
  • scoliosis,
  • torticollis,
  • disorders in the temporomandibular joint, e.g. caused by wearing braces,
  • headache,
  • migren,
  • dizziness,
  • sleep disorders,
  • menstrual disorders,
  • dysmenorrhea,
  • hormonal disorders, e.g. hyperthyroidism,
  • digestive disorders,
  • psychosomatic diseases,
  • various types of injuries.

How to prepare for the first visit?

Before the first visit, it is worth remembering about all accidents or surgeries that have taken place in our lives, because greater injuries, even in childhood, may affect tensionsand dysfunctions in the body.

In addition, it is worth preparing up-to-date medical documentation, if we have one, for example :

  • ultrasound photo,
  • X-ray photo,
  • blood test results,
  • Does diagnostics for a specific disease - if we have a chronic disease.

All this information will help the specialist to better understand the functioning of our body and easier to find the cause of our ailments.

When preparing for the first visit, it is also worth observing our body for a few days (especially if these are pain ailments that have appeared recently) and answer the following questions to yourself, and then to the therapist:

  • how bad the pain is,
  • whether it increases in the morning or at night,
  • is it related to some other factors, e.g. does the pain in the left side appear after eating something fatty and sweet.

In addition, it is worth getting yourself a comfortable outfit for the first meeting.

Sometimes the specialist tells us to undress to the underwear and we have to decide whether we feel comfortable with it, or whether we prefer to change into gym shorts and a tight-fitting shirt with shoulder straps.

Category:

Anatomy