There are 4 Golden Principles of Osteopathy that guide the practitioner in their provision of treatment for a vast range of conditions.
Osteopathy was established in 1872 by a medical doctor whose three children died from meningitis. It was founded on the concepts that the body is a unit, the body's functions are interdependent, the body has the capacity to heal itself.
There are 4 Golden Principles of Osteopathy that guide the practitioner in their provision of treatment for a vast range of conditions. These principles are:
* The body is a unit – body parts are not separate of each other.
They all work in union to carry out complex tasks. Thus if one body region is not working to the best of its capacity (if there is an alteration to health) it will affect the whole system.
* The body’s structure and function are interdependent and not separate from on another.
Body structures are intricately designed to carry out specific functions. If the structure architecture is altered then its function will also be altered. The opposite applies as well, if a body function changes then the structures in which that function is involved with, will also adapt to accommodate that change.
* The body has its own capacity to heal itself, given a suitable environment.
A simple skin cut will heal over time as the inflammatory process occurs. The area is cleaned of any microbes and debris then prepared for expulsion.
If you have hurt your shoulder or knee, the body will put certain measures in place to compensate for the injury and you may or may not feel pain. If left without treatment, the body will not be able to uphold this compensation indefinitely and it will soon lead to decompensation - usually resulting in pain and disability.
In this case the body is not in a suitable situation to heal itself and needs a push into the right direction which can be fulfilled by the osteopath.
* Rational and successful treatment is only achieved when the above 3 principles are considered altogether.
