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Is osteopathy safe?
By Roger Kingston
Is Osteopathy Safe? Is receiving manipulation of your spine and neck by an osteopath safe? A frequently asked question and one that deserves an answer. YES - when it is appropriate and NO when it is totally contraindicated. Osteopathy is so much more than “joint cracking” manipulation but it is this aspect that frequently comes under the spotlight. Joint manipulation is a passive, the patient does nothing but relax, while the osteopath positions him and applies a “force” using the patients’ own body as a lever to achieve a separation of the joint surfaces and this often produces a crack. The crack is simply gas dissolved in joint fluid expanding and it is immediately reabsorbed following the manipulation. The idea of the manipulation is to put a “signal” into a “dysfunctional joint” or “spinal segment”, the signal is via kinetic energy and it “resets” the local muscle tone around the joint. It will also stretch shortened muscles and help to tear up adhesions or scar tissue. It has nothing to do with putting discs back in or joints back into position at all! The joint doesn’t even need to “crack” because the signal is working at a local level in the joint, the spinal cord and then in the brain itself. The signal is primarily to restore the dysfunctional part back to a normally functioning anatomical structure in terms of its interface with the central nervous system. Manipulation does not have to be vigorous, achieve a “crack”, or painful. Osteopaths are specifically trained to use minimal force and only when it is safe to do so. Osteopaths also use, some exclusively totally NON FORCE techniques like cranial osteopathy, and these approaches are gaining in popularity especially in the osteopathic treatment of babies and pregnant women. It is vital that you tell your osteopath of any previous injuries you may have had, any surgery, previous illnesses, previous and current medication, any family tendencies or any other symptoms you may have. Your osteopath will want to make a diagnosis of your problem and then will cross reference this with known issues that would make treatment advisable or if its more suitable to refer you to a surgeon or physician. Further tests such as blood, urine, ulrasound, xray, CT or MRI may be suggested. Generally contraindicated conditions would include osteoporosis, cancer, TB, active inflammatory arthritis, vascular disease, connective tissue disease, recent fracture or surgery. Each patient is an individual case and an assessment is made on an individual basis as to what is in their best interests. Osteopaths in Australia are well trained and safe and this is reflected in their low insurance premiums. There are more incidents associated with across the counter medication like paracetamol or Ibuprofen. If in doubt ask your local osteopath if they think it would be safe to treat you. You may be very surprised just what a difference they can make to you!
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Chiropractic & Osteopathic College of Australia
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Thank you for clarifying an issue that I believe has confused many of us.
Hi Roger, Great Intel. gilbertg
I suppose it's like anything. Asking a lot of questions, consulting with physicians, and so forth are critical to making sound healthcare decisions.
Oh, I see... so it's radically different than chiropractics.
That's great Dr. Roger, thanks! :)
Thanks for the clarification, Roger. Osteopaths do so much more than "joint manipulation," correct? Why choose an osteopath over an MD? Here in the U.S., one issue is Medicare (especially as I get nearer to 65). Not an issue in Australia where you have the decency to provide universal health care, but here "senior citizens" have to find doctors that the government approves of I'm not sure about osteopaths. Your articles are very informative. Thanks.
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