Chronicles
18 January 2023
Benefits and Scientific Studies in Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a manual therapy that aims to identify and treat dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system. It is based on the idea that all structures of the body, including muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and organs, must function harmoniously to maintain overall health. Osteopathy proposes a manual therapeutic method to identify and work not only on functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system but also on disturbances of the bloodstream and internal organs. It is based on a global approach to health that takes into account the interactions between the body, the mind and the environment.
Osteopathy uses gentle techniques such as manipulation, mobilization and tissue therapy to address these dysfunctions, help relieve discomfort and improve mobility.
Benefits
One of the main benefits of osteopathy is that it works upstream of a problem rather than simply correcting it downstream. For example, if a person suffers from frequent headaches, an osteopath can work on the tensions in the cervical spine that may be causing the headaches.
Osteopathy can help improve joint mobility and increase muscle flexibility. This can be particularly beneficial for people with arthritis, joint stiffness and chronic pain.
Osteopathy can improve blood flow by unblocking obstacles that can affect blood flow. This can help reduce swelling and inflammation.
Osteopathy can also be used to work on any type of imbalance. It can also be used to help people with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Osteopathy can also relieve people suffering from stress and anxiety. It relaxes tense muscles and improves breathing, which can help reduce stress levels.
Finally, osteopathy can be beneficial for pregnant women. The hormonal and postural changes associated with pregnancy can cause discomforts. Osteopathy can help relieve these discomforts and prepare the body for childbirth.
There have been many scientific studies on osteopathy that have explored its effectiveness in various conditions.
Here are a few studies:
A 2018 study showed that osteopathy was effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with chronic low back pain.
Medical Infrared Thermography in back pain osteopathic management
GuillaumePolidori.MarionKinne.TracyMereu.FabienBeaumont.MélanieKinne
A 2011 study found that osteopathy was effective in relieving headaches and migraines in a clinical group of women affected by this condition.
Efficacy of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment of Female Patients with Migraine: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Karen Voigt, Jan Liebnitzky, Ute Burmeister, Henna Sihvonen-Riemenschneider, Matthias Beck, Roger Voigt, and Antje Bergmann
A 2018 study found that osteopathy was effective in improving symptoms of fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by chronic muscle pain and fatigue.
Fibromyalgia with Gabapentin and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: A Pilot Study
Cynthia Marske, Natasha Bernard, Alison Palacios, Cary Wheeler, Ben Preiss, Mackenzie Brown, Saveri Bhattacharya, and Gloria Klapstein
A 2021 study found that osteopathy was effective in improving joint mobility and reducing pain in patients.
Osteopathic Medicine in Four Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Diseases: An Observational Trial with Follow-Up
Gabriele Rotter, * Sylvia Binting, Tatjana Tissen-Diabaté, Miriam Ortiz, Benno Brinkhaus
One study showed that osteopathy was effective in relieving the symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction, a condition characterized by pain and cracking in the jaw.
Bergeron V. and Laberge S., L'influence du traitement ostéopathique de l'ATM et de la dure-mère sur les dysfonctions chroniques de l'articulation temporo-mandibulaire (The influence of osteopathic treatment of the TMJ and dura mater on chronic TMJ dysfunction), thesis presented at the Collège d'Études Ostéopathiques de Montréal in 2007