Ostéopathic Medecine: Definition
Definition
(Source SFDO)
Osteopathy is the art of diagnosing and treating—using one's hands—dysfunctions in the micro-mobility of body tissues that lead to functional disorders capable of impairing health.
(Osteopath professional standards)
An art is grounded in science and employs specific techniques.
Osteopathy is an art.
It is practiced by skilled and dedicated professionals. Through an extensive six-year training program, osteopaths have demonstrated their ability to detect imbalances and tensions—and to release them—using their sensory perception and a distinctive touch. They look beyond the symptoms to trace the root cause, identifying traumas—whether recent or long-standing—that may have previously gone unnoticed.
Exclusively manual, osteopathy is a precise, meticulous, and exact discipline. An osteopath’s intervention is always skillfully calibrated.
Osteopathy is a science.
It is rooted in anatomy and physiology, relying on specific expertise and an in-depth understanding of the human body and the interactions between its various components.
Osteopathy employs specific techniques.
The core of an osteopath’s work involves identifying the physical origin of various ailments and then manually restoring the body’s proper functioning.
Osteopathic techniques always remain within the physiological range and do not force bodily structures; they are distinct from medical manipulations—such as those used in orthopedics.
It is most commonly known for addressing painful conditions of the spine and joints. Osteopathy is also effective for many cases of headaches, stiff necks (torticollis), and congestive conditions—such as ear infections, nasopharyngitis, and sinusitis—as well as for circulatory, digestive, gynecological, and sleep-related issues.