What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy, founded 150 years ago by Dr. AT Still, is a manual therapeutic approach that supports the body's natural healing processes. It originated from a need for safer, effective treatments when medications were often ineffective or harmful. Dr. Still observed that medical conditions were linked with predictable patterns of tension in the musculoskeletal system. By treating these tensions, he found improvements in the medical conditions.
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What techniques are used in osteopathy?
Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) includes a range of techniques aimed at improving structural alignment, circulation, venous drainage, and clearing congestion or pressure from nervous, vascular, or lymphatic pathways. Techniques used in OMT include:
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Manipulation
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Soft tissue techniques (e.g., muscle energy technique)
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Fascial release
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Visceral treatment
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Cranial osteopathy (cranial-sacral therapy)
How has osteopathy evolved and what are its applications?
Osteopathy is well-known for effective pain relief for acute injuries, postural aches and pains, and sports performance support. It can also effectively address cardiovascular, central nervous, and digestive systems.
What are the education and qualifications for osteopaths?
Osteopathy requires a minimum of four years of full-time study. In Hong Kong, the profession is not regulated, so it’s important to ask if your osteopath is registered. The highest qualification outside the US is a postgraduate Master's program following a degree in Human Biology, which requires five years of full-time study.
What are the benefits of osteopathy?
Osteopaths are skilled in assessing and correcting misalignments that can prevent or prolong recovery from sports injuries. They use a method of palpation to guide treatments, releasing soft tissues and joints from trauma and gently adjusting joints to their natural alignment, which can significantly reduce recovery time.
How does osteopathy address imbalances?
Imbalances in the body can lead to various symptoms, including pain, headaches, dizziness, and digestive issues. Osteopaths aim to correct these imbalances by addressing the entire structure of the body. Healthy alignment prevents uneven wear in load-bearing joints, improving their longevity.
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What do osteopaths treat?
Jodi uses evidence-based osteopathy treatments to help people in Hong Kong suffering from the following types of conditions:
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Back, neck and shoulder pain
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Nerve problems such as sciatica
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Headaches and migraines
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Muscle strain and spasm
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Joint injuries
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Arthritis
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Sports injuries
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Pre- and post-natal problems
Why see an osteopath?
While the body is capable of healing from many injuries, some events require osteopathic treatment for full recovery like major sprains for example. Persistent misalignment can cause further problems over time. Osteopathy gently brings injured joints back into optimal alignment to facilitate innate healing processes for a full recovery.
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Holistic Approach
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Osteopathy is a holistic healthcare approach that considers the body as a unified system. Osteopaths use hands-on techniques like soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilization, and spinal adjustments. They may also recommend complementary treatments such as exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments to support holistic health.
At ALIGN in Hong Kong, Jodi is an expert in providing osteopathic treatments to alleviate pain, heal injuries, and promote overall health. Jodi uses a variety of techniques to address the underlying causes of symptoms, helping you achieve optimal health and wellness.
