What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a manipulative therapy listed by the World Health Organisation and practiced by qualified practitioners.
Osteopathy looks for and treats mobility restrictions wich can affect an ensemble of structures composing the human body, and restoring an Optimum balance.
The osteopath applies his/her thorough knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, as well as a solid understanding of interactions between the different systems of the human body, to find the source of the dysfunctions causing the pain.
Any loss of mobility in the joints, muscles, ligaments or viscera can provoke a general health imbalance, hence the appearance of pain, which is the body’s alarm signal. The osteopath will examine this area and precisely diagnose which tissues present a loss in mobility. He/she will then make an anatomic link to proximal or distal regions, with the goal of obtaining an overall perspective of his/her patient.
Osteopathy rests on the concept of the body’s capacity to self-regulate. A free and mobile body is free from suffering and capable of self-healing.
The osteopathic act consists of healing as well as preventing any functional disorders (mechanical, nervous, psychic…). Osteopathy, with its large field of action, can help a patient to improve their general state of health, at any stage in their life.
A consultation with an osteopath can be your first option, before any other medical consultation.
Procedure of a session
The session begins with a dialog between the osteopath and the patient. This consists of a complete questionaire regarding your purpose of consulting, your medical history and your general state of health.
If you have in your possession any radiological and/or biological exams, your osteopath might need to consult them in order to determine the indications and contraindications for their therapy.
Your osteopath will then perform the proper medical and orthopaedic tests, as well as some mobility tests, which will allow him/her to establish a diagnosis. These tests require the patient to be in their underwear.
Thanks to specific palpatory tests, the osteopath explores the body, looking for areas presenting restrictions to movement which could alter the patient’s general health and well-being. The hands of the osteopath will search, find and re-align the structures that were disrupted in their mobility.
There is a huge diversity in manual techniques (osteo-articular, tissular, visceral, cranial and craniosacral), that your osteopath can choose from to adapt the treatment according to your age, morphology and pain level. The main goal is to perform a soft and non-traumatic treatment.
The osteopath will restore lost mobility with the correct gestures, stimulating your own self-regulation mechanisms. These will allow you to find your balance, and experience an Optimum state of health.
When to consult an osteopath?
The osteopath can intervene as soon as there is pain, moderate or very intense, sudden or chronic.
He/She can also intervene in a preventive manner. Past physical or emotional trauma can manifest themselves silently without any noticeable symptoms. This is why we advise our patients to consult once to twice per year for a general check-up, to ensure their overall health.
Why consult an osteopath?
Osteopathy has a vast field of action. As soon as a mobility restriction leads to an alteration of the function of a system, the osteopath is able to act.
Even though spinal disorders are the main reason for consultation, osteopathy also applies to:
Functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system:
Sprains, tendonitis, cervicalgia (neck pains), torticollis (stiff neck), dorsalgia, intercostal pains, lumbago, neuralgia, pains in the pelvic area, muscular trauma, whiplash issues, headache of mechanical origin…
Functional disorders of the digestive system:
Bloating, dysphagia (trouble swallowing), gastralgia, gastroesophagal reflux, functional colonopathy, regurgitation, nausea, symptoms of hiatal hernia…
Functional disorders of the genitourinary system:
Functional dysmenorrhea, mechanical dyspareunia, fertility issues of mechanical origin, dysuria or prevention of repetitive urinary infections…
Functional disorders of the neurovegetative system:
Anxiety, sleeping disorders, nervousness, stress, depressive state…
Functional disorders of the neurological system:
Sciatalgies, cruralgies, névralgies cervico-brachiales, névralgies d’Arnold, névralgies faciales, neurinome de Morton, discopathies…
Functional disorders in the ENT area:
Prevention of chronic sinusitis and/or otitis, functional vertigo, bruxism, pain in the jaw, tinnitus, dizziness, functional dysphonia…
Functional disorders of the respiratory system:
Prevention of repetitive bronchitis, asthma…
Functional disorders of the cardiovascular system:
Tightness of chest, palpitations, disorder in the venous return to the inferior limbs, haemorrhoids…
Osteopathy can also bring benefits for
Support of the pregnancy and post-partum
Support for postoperative recoveries
Support for orthodontic treatment
Support for treatments of orthopaedic pathologies
of the child and adolescent(congenital torticollis, scoliosis, cyphosis…)
Osteopathy can also benefit babies after delivery,
in particular when they present stomach pains, regurgitations, sleeping disorders,
agitation, or even plagiocephaly…