Osteopathy is a form of alternative medicine that treats patients as a whole in order to prevent and treat disease.
Osteopaths have a comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of how the body moves and operates as a single unit.
Osteopathy is a form of hands-on therapy. It focuses mainly on treating the musculoskeletal systems of the body. (These are comprised of the muscles and the bones).
Osteopathy is one of the oldest manipulative therapies. It was established in the United States by its founder A.T. Still, more than 135 years ago. Osteopaths treat patients of all ages, including the elderly, adults, and children.
Osteopathy is one of the most well-liked treatment options for patients. It is recommended by many general practitioners and specialists for a wide variety of injuries and conditions. One common ailment it is used to treat is arthritis.
If you’re wondering about the different osteopath arthritis treatment options, you’re in the right place!
Below you’ll find some of the best osteopathy treatments for arthritis.
Osteopath Arthritis Treatment Options
One thing to make clear before we start: osteopathic treatment is not a cure for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Even if two patients may have the same form of arthritis, each osteopathic therapy is individualized for the patient. This is because there is a possibility that the patient will present with a unique set of symptoms.
Osteopaths generally use their hands to manipulate joints, the spine, and muscles. The goal here is to stimulate circulation and affect the nervous and lymphatic systems of the body.
This treatment may include stretching, the application of light pressure, or resistance training. Like all other treatments, osteopathy comes with its own set of potential side effects. The most common is a feeling of stiffness that lasts between 24 and 48 hours after receiving treatment. Other possible adverse effects include experiencing more severe pain or developing other complications.
Osteopathy is based on a number of fundamental ideas. A key one is that circulation is paramount.
This means that osteopathic practitioners believe increasing circulation benefits the body. They aim to reduce inflammation by increasing circulation and encouraging muscles and other tissues to operate more effectively. This is because the increased blow flow provides them with a new supply of blood and other nutrients.
Osteopath Techniques To Help Those With Arthritis
There are many techniques osteopaths use to assist those with arthritis. The goal is to help the patients regain a higher level of optimal function and help them experience less pain.
Some of these techniques are as follows:
- Soft Tissue Massage
- Articulation and mobilization of joints
- Stretching
- Muscle Energy Release Technique
- Myofascial release
- Visceral (Organ) treatment, including massage, stretching or releasing
Using these techniques, osteopathic doctors can improve the movement of these joints and the muscles. This relieves strain on the painful joint in question.
Also, structural imbalances that cause weight bearing on one side more than the other can also be corrected if there are such imbalances.
Osteopaths also offer guidance on exercise options and lifestyle modifications to help improve a patient’s quality of life.
The important thing is to remain moving and to keep as active a lifestyle as you can.
