Ontario Association Of Osteopaths, Toronto Canada Osteopathy

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What is Osteopathy?

Philosophy

"Osteopathy is the knowledge of the structure, relation and function of each part of the human body applied to the correction of whatever interferes with its harmonious operation."
- George V. Webster, D.O., 1921

Osteopaths use their palpatory skill to identify areas of the body that are restricted (not moving normally) or constricted (strangled or squeezed). These areas can be in any of these systems:

• musculoskeletal
• respiratory
• cardiovascular
• digestive
• reproductive
• nervous

Osteopaths identify and then gently ease the restrictions or constrictions so the body can function normally again.

Manual osteopathy is based on 4 basic principles:

1. Each structure in the body supports the body's functions. If a structure is damaged, out of place, or otherwise not working properly, the body will not function at its best.
2. The natural flow of the body's fluids - lymphatic, vascular, and neurological - must be preserved and maintained.
3. The human body is the sum of its parts. Its physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and cognitive systems don't work independently -they work in harmony.
4. When the body has no restrictions, it has the inherent ability to heal itself.

Osteopaths recognize that a patient is an integrated whole. When all the body's components are in balance, a person is complete and in total health.

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