Osteopathy is an alternative complimentary therapy used for treating an ailing body in a non invasive way.
The basic principles of Osteopathy are based on the belief that a lot of disease within the body are caused by some disorder within the musculoskeletal system. It believes that structure and functioning are very closely related.
Osteopathy was founded in 1874 by physician, Andrew Taylor Still, who believed his fellow colleagues, at the time, weren’t doing a sufficiently good enough job to restore health in patients. He believed that surgery and drugs weren’t the solution to disease, and that it was also necessary to adjust one’s lifestyle and, through complimentary therapies, restore proper structure and function on a musculoskeletal level.
Dr Still’s belief was that all disease started from a spinal disorder. In fact the word Osteopathy, or Osteopathic, comes from the words “Osteo”, which means bone and “Pathic”, which means disease. He believed that signals were emitted from the spine along the nerves, which in turn, send abnormal signals to the organs within the body. Still claimed that by restoring proper spinal functioning, the nerves would return to their normal state and the body would be returned to a state of health and well-being.
So, how is Osteopathy carried out?
Before any treatment, an Osteopath carefully observes a person’s spine and their body alignment. He, or she, would enquire about the person’s medical history and anything that might be relevant to their present condition.
Then, depending on the diagnosis of the type of condition a client is presenting, an osteopath might use gentle touch massage, or a deeper tissue massage as well as joint articulation and manipulation. The latter are particularly effective in restoring joint mobility, reducing pain around a joint and any swelling there may be.
Osteopathy doesn’t seek to, solely, treat an immediate problem within the body. It’s long term, and main, objective is to improve the functioning of the circulatory system, the respiratory system, the lymphatic system and, of course, the muscular and skeletal structure.
After an Osteopathic session, some, but not all, clients may experience a little light-headedness, nausea or dizziness. They may, even, feel a little worse than before. It is normal. These effects usually wear off anywhere between 4 to 24 hours after a treatment.
Here in the Gran Hotel Elba we have a fully qualified Osteopath. Why not give us a call for a free consultation and assessment.
(Author: Venerina Conti – Spa Manager – Gran Hotel Elba & Thalasso Spa, Estepona)