What Is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a non-pharmacological, “hands-on” approach that encourages the body to heal itself by using the body’s intrinsic forces and corrective mechanisms to achieve homeostasis. Osteopathy
views the body as a functional and holistic unit. The health practitioner
serves only as a facilitator, not as a mechanic. This approach promotes
long-term health and well being at the same time focuses on reducing any
existing symptoms. Osteopathy is an established system of diagnosis and
treatment with its main emphasis on the structural and functional integrity of
the body.
Osteopathy – derived from the Greek words osteon (tissue) and pathos (feeling) – is essentially “feeling the motion of the tissues.” Developed in the U.S. in the early 19th century, founder Dr. Andrew Still
discovered a direct relationship between the musculo-skeletal system and the
function of the rest of the body. His understanding was that form/structure
directs the function of specific joints, which led to his conclusion that
inappropriate alteration in the structure can trigger dysfunction in other
parts of the body.
Osteopathy Defined:
Osteopathy comprises many non-invasive, manual-therapy techniques:
aDirect techniques, such as high velocity/low amplitude (chiropractic) and
muscle energy,
aBiovalent Systems (Frank Lowen LMT),
aCraniosacral techniques,
aFunctional indirect techniques,
aVisceral manipulation, and
aStrain / counter-strain techniques.
These techniques are well-known to physical therapists; however, they are
foreign in traditional veterinary practices. The emerging field of osteopathy
in animal rehabilitation has tremendous potential to help dogs with back and
shoulder problems, particularly agility dogs, canine athletes, older and
service dogs or those hits by cars. A regimen of osteopathic treatment usually
helps restore a dog
’s normal function.
Osteopathic Treatment Steps
Focusing treatment on the most painful area, in general, does not lead to
complete and sustained relief. Rather, a fundamental principle of osteopathy is
to resolve the core problem, layer by layer. First, locate and treat the
area of greatest restriction (i.e., the part of the body with the greatest dysfunction that also has the
most influence on other systems). Following that concept, you work sequentially
from the area of greatest restriction to least restriction
(sequencing). Because the underlying issue may be multifaceted and complex, this approach will
ensure both complete and lasting results.
I developed several Osteopathic Models for the Lumbo-pelvis and Craniosacral
Mechanics for Canines/Felines.
Biomechanics of the Spine and Lumbo-Pelvis in the GAIT cycle
The art of differential diagnosing is essential in osteopathy. The movements in
the lumbo-pelvis area during the gait are complex and perform in a functional,
kinetic chain. Understanding the spinal mechanics, the normal (forward) sacral
and ilia mechanics that appears during the canine gait, can help you treat the
different lumbar, sacral and ilium dysfunctions. We often see sacral-iliac
dysfunctions in canines, making it impossible for the dog to have full-weight
bearing during the gait or full range of motion in the hip. Differentiating
between hipdysplasia versus sacro-iliac dysfunctions can be accomplished with a
functional exam in the full lumbo-pelvis area. The most common problems I treat
in my canine practice are combinations of L7-S1 facet joint dysfunctions,
sacral torsions, and pelvis rotations.
I am in the process of creating a 3 Dimensional video of the lumbo-spinal
mechanics for canines during the gait. This is a collaborative effort with Kent
Stevens PhD, professor in computer science at the University of Oregon and
co-founder of the Dinomorph Program.
