Osteopathic care offers a patient-centered, whole-body approach to healthcare. It integrates all aspects of human health, including physical, emotional and mental well-being. Osteopathic physicians or DOs, short for Doctors of Osteopathy, focus not just on treating your illness or disease, but also on understanding how your lifestyle, environment, and the interconnected system of your body influence your health.
One unique aspect of osteopathic care is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). Through OMT, DOs use their hands to diagnose illness and injury, and to encourage your body’s natural tendency toward self-healing. This technique enables them to treat multiple ailments such as asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, migraines, menstrual pain, and structural and tissue abnormalities. It can also complement, and even replace drugs or surgery, making it a healthier, more natural alternative.
Osteopath Auckland emphasizes preventative health care to avoid potential health issues before they start or become serious. DOs often promote incorporating a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mindfulness practices like meditation into daily routines, viewing these lifestyle adjustments as essential facets of overall health and wellness. Prevention also includes regular check-ups and health screenings to catch potential problems early on.
Another key element of osteopathic medicine is the belief in the body’s intrinsic ability to heal itself. This informs their holistic view that optimal health involves more than just absence of disease. In designing a treatment plan, DOs consider complex relationships among all body systems. By addressing issues in the body’s structure, osteopathic treatment can help bolster physiological functions, and facilitate recovery and health improvement.
Education is also a crucial part of osteopathic care. DOs typically spend a considerable amount of time educating patients about their health conditions, treatment options, and ways to prevent illness. By fostering this informed participation, they empower patients in taking an active role in their healthcare decisions. This transparency often leads to increased patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes.
From its focus on total wellness, mind-body connectedness, and preventative care, to its use of OMT and educational emphasis, osteopathic care provides a comprehensive, personal approach to health. Whether this is your first time hearing about DOs or you’ve been considering osteopathic care for a while, this approach to healthcare could well be the missing piece in your journey to optimal health.
