What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a whole body system of health care. Osteopathy is a complementary medicine that not only takes in the physical symptoms but the lifestyle, attitudes and current health of the patient.
Since its founding, osteopaths have been of the opinion that the human body has an ability to heal itself and that poor health and disease could be as a result of something being wrong with the musculo-skeletal structure of the body.
The principles of Osteopathy:
1) The body is a unit - Every part of the body works together.
2) The body has the ability to heal itself - The body has its own mechanisms to heal itself. Osteopaths only help the body to heal itself.
3) Structure and function are related - This means that the structure of the body effects the way the body functions.
These are the three main principles of Osteopathy. Each of the above principles can be divided up into more principles.
While many people see Osteopathy as a "system of manipulation to treat aches and pains in the spine, muscles and joints," it is much more than this.
What is an Osteopath?
An Osteopath is a primary health-care practitioner. In Australia, this means that you don't need a referral from a medical practitioner to see one. The Osteopath is trained to recognise, diagnose and treat disorders of the musculo-skeletal system and related areas.
Osteopaths are registered by the state in which they are practising and must adhere to a strict code of ethics. A list of registered Osteopaths is available from the Australian Osteopathic Association or look under "Osteopaths" in the Yellow Pages. To register as an Osteopath, a person must complete a five year double degree in Osteopathy or have completed a recognised osteopathic medicine course overseas.
In Australia, three courses are available in Osteopathy. One at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology(RMIT) University, one at Victoria University of Technology(VUT) and the other at the University of Western Sydney(UWS). Upon completion of the course at RMIT, graduates are awarded the Bachelor of Applied Science(Clinical Science) & Bachelor of Osteopathic Science. At VUT, graduates of the five year program are awarded the Bachelor of Science(Clinical Science) and Master of Health Science(Osteopathy) and at UWS, graduates are awarded a Bachelor of Science(Human Bioscience) & Master of Osteopathy.
Throughout the course, students spend a large number of hours in a practical clinical environment practising on patients under supervision of a registered osteopath giving them wide ranging experience.
Last update: February
4th, 1999
Maintained by Brett
Vaughan