Osteopathy

It is a modern treatment system which cures the functions of the body tissues on the basis of anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, nutritional physiology in line with the causes rather than symptoms. The patient rather than the disease is at the forefront.

Osteopath

An Osteopath is a therapist healing functional disorders of the body's entire anatomical structures by assessing the patient with a holistic approach within the context of basic medical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, psychology and nutrition and who treats within the scope of clinical knowledge through highly specific manual curing methods prescribed peculiar to each tissue.

Who Could Be Qualified As Osteopaths?

The persons who received a training for 3,500 course hours in basic health sciences (only physicians and physiotherapists are qualified) shall be entitled to become osteopaths in the aftermath of their graduation by attending at a training of 1,350 hours to be conducted by expert instructors.

The training shall be at intervals, last for 5 years, theoretical and mainly practical. Such criteria are in compliance with the criteria of the World Health Organization.

Additionally, there are Osteopathy Academies in America and Europe having educational periods of 5 years.

What is the Objective?

The purpose is to offer the patients high quality scientific treatments by educating therapists having respect for basic modern medical science and who are responsible and principled. Such current therapeutic approaches bring about significant savings in health expenses of government and people.

Development Of Osteopathy

American physician Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917) defined osteopathy. His definitions establish the foundations of osteopathy medicine:

• Significance of structure and movement
• Interdependency of structure and movement
• Organism's being an indivisible whole
• Organism's ability to cure itself

In 1874 he denominated the method he applied as osteopathy (osteo - bone) (pathie - complaint / symptoms).

In 1892 he founded American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri, USA.

In our day, 54,000 osteopaths are employed in America. They perform their profession in the capacity of the "Doctor of Osteopathy " at a level equivalent of the medical doctors' . As they are rather physicians, they apply drugs, needles, and surgical methods more priorly than manual methods.

On the other hand it demonstrates a different development in Europe.  In England, John Martin Littlejohn (student of Still) brings osteopathy to Europe and offers this opportunity to physiotherapists. In 1917 he established British School of Osteopathy in London. It became widespread throughout Europe by 1950.

In Europe, rather the therapists started to use it as an effective form of manual therapy. Since 1993 osteopathy has been defined as a profession in England. Furthermore France, Belgium and other countries as well follow them.

William Garner Sutherland (1873-1954) developed Cranial Osteopathy - Sacral Therapy.

On the other hand in the 1980s, French osteopaths Jean Pierre Barral and Jacques Weischenk developed visceral osteopathy involving the examination and treatment of organs and expanded its treatment range.

Advanced Degree Manual Methods Applied in the Treatment

Specific straight line Manipulations and Mobilization

Soft tissue treatments

Craniosacral Therapy

Reflexology Methods (Meridian, Footpad, Periost, Connective Tissue, Jarricot, Diagnosis by teeth, Facial physiognomy etc.)

Myofacial relaxation methods

Meditation applications

Nerve Zone Mobilization

Applications for mechanical examination and treatment of organs

Kinesiology testing

Osteopathy utilization areas:

Osteopathy is used as a supportive treatment method in areas which could be found in following applications. No statements referring to its eliminating or solely treating the disease could be made.

Within the Units:

• Movement and function disorders of the spine and musculoskeletal system.
• Acute and chronic pain syndromes of the spine and bone joint system.
• Invertebral disc displacements.
• Ischialgia, brachial neuralgia, sciatica, discopathic pain.
• Joint stiffness and degeneration.
• Migraine, tension type headache.
• Postural defects.
• Post-operational outpatient rehabilitation.
• Post-accident pain syndromes.
• Neuromuscular problems such as spasticity, cerebral palsy
• Coordination and psychomotor dysfunctions in children.
• Psychosomatic syndromes, anxiety, depression.
• Supportive in chronic neurological diseases (Alzheimer's disease and Multiple sclerosis).
• Sleep disorders.
• Functional disorders of the digestive system, urinary system, urogenital, respiratory and circulatory systems.

In application centers:

• Ailments associated with viscerosomatic function disorders
• Pain syndromes in pregnant women.
• Supportive in hormonal balance disorders.