The body as a whole
The osteopathy approaches the body as a whole. The osteopath often doesn’t cover one specific condition, but looks at the whole body. The aim is to support the self-healing power of the body.
Connection
The cause and solution of one’s pain is therefore often not in the region where the pain is felt. An osteopath knows which body tissues among themselves connect to each other and how this may affect each other. For this reason, the osteopath checks the whole body and relevant sections on dexterity and other functioning. Then the osteopath treats there where he expects the solution on the basis of detailed knowledge of the body. An osteopath conducts the research and treatment with his hands. (Source: NVO Osteopathy.)
Handles
The osteopath works exclusively with his hands. He loosens things that have to be loosened and thus helps with – mostly – soft handles the body to recover. It is a gentle healing form. This in contrast to crack or some other form of manual therapy.
When to use osteopathy
If you are suffering from these symptoms, you can visit an osteopath:
- sore or stiff limbs, back, neck, shoulder and hip
- basin complaints also related to the pregnancy
- sports injuries, sprains
- whiplash
- headache
- recurring sinus inflammation or ear infections
- RSI
- reflux problems
- incontinence
- stomach or intestinal problems
- pain after surgery
- menstrual disorders
- edema
- concentration problems
- chronic fatigue
Also to prevent injuries you can visit an osteopath. If you are insured with additional treatments included, your treatments will be (partially) reimbursed.
Cooperation
Osteopathy is seen as a complementary medicine on mainstream medicine. An osteopath works together with the family doctor or the specialist, but is not a substitute. If necessary, an osteopath refers you to another specialist. Make sure you choose a osteopath who is affiliated with the Dutch Register for Osteopathy. For more information have a look on the website of the NVO.
Fotocredits: facebook/www.vanmilosteopathie.nl