An osteopath is a form of musculoskeletal treatment which focuses on overall health and wellness and isn’t restricted to just disease or a certain condition. This can include the manipulation and strengthening of body movements such as the joints, muscles and spine. Techniques such as massaging and stretching of the musculoskeletal system are seen as a conventional forms of healing to improve overall health.
Osteopathy is a vastly growing profession that has proven to treat conditions such as arthritis, headaches, digestive issues and postural problems.
What Do Osteopaths Do?
Osteopaths are specially trained health professionals who treat people as a whole through medical diagnoses, such as prescribing medications, performing blood tests and biopsies and performing surgery, and conventional treatments such as whole-body healing from physical injuries.
What Can You Expect When Visiting An Osteopath?
An osteopath the medical history of a patient and perform observations of movement, such as the shoulders and the spine, identify any muscle pain and the areas that are considered healthy.
This is an observation to determine whether osteopathy is right for the patient. A dentist may be considered should you’re not eligible for osteopathy.
There is no restriction in terms of age. Osteopaths can treat children, parents and the elderly. After every osteopathic session, the osteopath determines if any improvements have been made to the condition of the patent. A different approach will be considered if treatment has shown no signs of improvement.
What’s The Difference Between An Osteopath And A Naturopathic Doctor (ND?)
To become an Osteopath, you’d need to create a five year, full-time double degree course. These are available in Victoria and New South Wales Universities. The course comprises a Bachelor of Science – Clinical Science/Master of Health Science – Osteopathy double degree. Completing this would allow you to register yourself as an Osteopath.
A naturopathic doctor (ND) is more primed to focus on specific medical conditions such as cardiology or surgeries, compared to an osteopath who focuses on full-body healing and disease prevention. To become an ND, you must undertake a 4-year graduate program in naturopathic medicine and complete a separate examination presented by the Naturopathic Medical Education.
Many people find osteopathy a safe and effective form of treatment to treat their conditions. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our doctors in Brunswick for guidance.
