- 971 72 01 19
- 667 55 20 73
- mjgosteo@hotmail.com
- Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Osteopathy is a manual therapeutic system based on the concept that the human body is a vital mechanical unit, in which the structural and functional components of the body are interrelated, have the same importance and are able to organise themselves towards the resolution of problems.
Its founder, A.T. Still (1828-1917), was an American physician and surgeon. He described a method of treatment based on the search for health and how to achieve it in the patient.
The work we do at the centre are based in A.T. Still´s principles:
- The body as a unit.
- Structure governs function.
- The body possesses self-regulating and self-repairing mechanisms.
- The body possesses the inherent capacity for defense and self-repair. An example we take for granted is that if we cut our finger, we have no doubt that there will be healing, because these reparative mechanisms are active at all levels. We are organisms in equilibrium that change all the time and sometimes in this change, adaptation, when the system is very overloaded, is not possible and pain appears.
The osteopath examines the individual by carrying out a series of active and passive mobility tests and orthopaedic tests, trying to explain the disorder or dysfunction through a holistic (global) and non-symptomatic approach.
The person is considered as a whole in its physical, chemical and emotional aspects, where structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) are totally interdependent. This means, for example, that a problem of bad digestion can also cause chest pain and if the patient is not asked about it, he/she does not understand that it is part of the same process.
So through the anamnesis and examination the osteopath will try to understand the process the patient is going through and apply the appropriate technique that restores these self-healing mechanisms.
What osteopathy is not?
It is not just manipulation of the spine, also called “thrust”, or High Velocity Low Amplitude manipulation. It is one of the best known techniques in osteopathy. It can give local and global relief. There are very good osteopaths who work only with structural techniques. Good osteopathy is not manipulating everything that is found, but manipulating what causes the change.
Osteopathy is not a speciality of physiotherapy or any other discipline.
Unfortunately in Spain it is not recognised, but in countries such as France and England it is an independent profession with its own definition and concept.
