why osteopathic medicine essay

why osteopathic medicine essay

Exploring the Principles and Practices of Osteopathic Medicine

1. Introduction to Osteopathic Medicine

To become a competent primary care provider, the osteopathic student learns to engage in osteopathic exploration, differentiation, and treatment of the patient in the context of signs, symptoms, and illnesses. The skills include osteopathic palpatory structures, understanding the linkage between structure and function of motion, and employing appropriate methods of osteopathic diagnosis and therapeutic interaction. In an era when symptoms may be sorted into predictable patterns, DOs are primed to recognize the unique and special nature of the physical examination of the musculoskeletal system. In a patient-centered medical home model, and in cross-specialty collaborative efforts, the DPT fills an essential need in contemporary healthcare. As the nation requires more healthcare practitioners to serve the needs of an aging population, the physical therapy profession, and the quality-run professional association, the responsibilities and opportunities for physical therapy assistant will grow and advance.

A doctor of osteopathy (DO) is a highly trained, culturally-focused primary care physician who has completed his or her accredited education and clinical training in osteopathic concepts and principles. DOs are trained to develop a unique caring and healing itinerary focusing on partnership with the patient, facilitating exploration of the mind-body connection, and mobilizing the innate capacity to heal and repair. DOs practice their rich tradition of personalized and compassionate care in a wide variety of settings including private and group practice, local and federal agencies, academic centers, health maintenance organizations, and clinics in all branches of the military and the Public Health Service.

2. Historical Development and Key Figures

The principles of Osteopathy are often considered a trinity of tenets that are summed up with the following phrases: the unity of the body; the self-regulating ability of the body; and the inversely proportional relationship between structure and function. Dr. Still summarized them by stating that form is fluid and function is form. To study osteopathic principles carefully, it is useful to obtain an understanding of certain historical developments and key figures. Viewing Osteopathy’s philosophical and practical components in their social and political context provides new depth to the study of its foundation. Because of the close historical link between osteopathic philosophy and the events of the time, recognition is given to the extraordinary vision of those men and women who influenced Dr. Still’s thinking. The prevailing beliefs of the late 19th and early 20th centuries promoted his thinking. This influence was utilized by Dr. Still, who constructed a system of practice to improve upon the weakened systems of health care existing in his era.

In the mid-nineteenth century, while still a medical student, Andrew Taylor Still witnessed the fight between free-state and pro-slavery factions. A frontier physician, he struggled to heal the wounds, confront the raging epidemics, and deal with the dying and maimed from Indian massacres that were coming at frequent intervals. In the presence of these challenges and the harsh prairie environment, he focused his mind upon the deeper quests of natural law and spirituality. Revolted by the current methods of the day, he began to search for better ways to treat the sick. In his practice, he found that in combating disease, nature, when left to herself, was sufficient to accomplish the cure. He based his system of practice on these two underlying precepts. He sought to understand physical laws and to learn how to help nature cure itself. Dr. Still was ever mindful of the ancient truths of the Bible, in which all principles are laid down, from physical laws under proper conditions, to the operation of a spiritual selfhood.

3. Core Principles and Philosophy

Defects or limitations in anatomy, physiology, beliefs, mental framework, or life spirit can hinder the harmonious activities needed for self-healing initiated by the living systems of a patient. Each of these factors will be positively influenced by the osteopathic care plan, helping the person in finding better wellness. Injuries and disorders are diseases brought on by a weakness or absence of cohesion in practically every stage and/or operation. These barriers can be physical, chemical, intellectual, or mental. They can be triggered and advanced through damage, incorrect lifestyle, poor behaviors, environmental pressure, infectious stress, biorhythmic disturbance, or individual responses to contradictions violent or otherwise. Osteopathic therapy that develops cohesion in atypical tissues and resuscitates moral and gentle works to cure the individual. Beyond this, osteopathic care and preventative help the person experience better wellbeing while they rest, work, play, and rest. Osteopathy has a particular collection of rules that are rooted in the standard osteopathic view, rooted in the first Principle, the fact that the entire individual is designed of body, mind, and spirit. These governing principles help properly guide and direct treatment techniques.

2) In the whole individual, health and illness are assessed and balanced by internal and environmental adaptation. As people use internal and environmental adaptation, they attract and release potential energies and heal. Health is physically reduced as barriers to self-healing occur. Any such barrier can be found in any structure and/or function of mind, body, or spirit of the individual person.

1) The human being is a highly developed organism consisting of body, mind, and spirit. The person functions as a unit of mind, body, and spirit. To attain well-being, the individual requires the entire involvement and integration of the core components of mind, spirituality, and body.

The application of osteopathic philosophy makes distinctive the eligible relationship between each stage and component of osteopathic medicine. Philosophy and principles enable a unified approach that provides health benefits to each person. These precepts characterize the base of osteopathic medicine. They are the following:

4. Osteopathic Techniques and Treatments

Osteopathic physicians may perform numerous types of manual techniques, and payment in routine and then integrated treatment work kinetics remains with the primary consideration of motor patterns to normalize musculoskeletal dysfunction. The expertise of the osteopathic practitioner influences the selection of treatment techniques and adjunctive therapy. The application of somatic dysfunctions, osteopathic manipulative treatments, and any additional techniques requires a sound anatomical and physiological basis. The manipulation of the musculoskeletal system in OMM may be performed to reduce associated tissues, and patients are expected to return to baseline over time as normative conditions. Osteopathic manipulative treatment is the primary focus of detailing biomechanical and musculoskeletal pathologies of associated somatic structures.

Osteopathy continues to evolve with new research and knowledge while adhering to central guiding principles. Osteopathic techniques and treatments are based on these principles and the nature of health and disease. OMM is a unique method of diagnosis and treatment based on these principles that revitalizes the body’s inherent compensatory ability to heal. In addition to a careful detailed history and physical examination, OMM adds a neuro-musculo-skeletal model and uses a variety of manual techniques. These techniques may help to decrease nerve irritation, counteract muscle contractions, enhance tissue and/or circulatory fluid, encourage healthier overall movement in the musculoskeletal system, and assist drainage of lymphatic or other fluids.

5. Contemporary Applications and Future Directions

It is a professional responsibility of every osteopathic physician to advocate for a balanced approach to the incorporation of all identified health care practices and principles that are safe and effective and that promote public welfare. For D.O.s to realize their professional potential, they must take full advantage of their community experiences, related professional disciplines, professional organizations, and governmental and non-governmental regulations and resources. As small groups and individuals, osteopathic physicians are ill-equipped to succeed. As a recognized, united, and cohesive professional movement, osteopathic physicians will provide the leadership in necessary health care system reform – regardless of location or practice. Their objectives must be to provide coverage for primary preventive and chronic disease care; to redesign the education and training programs and practices for physicians and other allied health personnel; to evaluate alternative and complementary treatments; and to ensure the ability of every qualified physician to serve the public.

Health care systems and professional development. All health care systems are subject to the same social, economic, ethical, and philosophical challenges and choices as any other social institution. On one hand, the demand for safe and affordable health care is fueled by expanding knowledge and technological advancement; demand is also driven by social expectations. Individual and economic freedoms lead to diversity and modification within each health care system. On the other hand, overly enthusiastic and uncontrolled excitement and innovation distract from and damage the normal processes and functions of health care systems. If uncontrolled, changes may lead to financial disaster for the individual and for society. The public interest demands the application of public policy. Public policy, in turn, requires an informed and involved public.