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An
Alternative to Medicine?
by
Sarah Coggan
Do
you like science but do not think modern day medicine is all
that it is cracked up to be? Take an alternative!
Osteopaths are specialist health professionals who work with
the entire body to enhance and accelerate the healing process.
Osteopathic treatment involves a variety of techniques and
soft tissue stretching combined with the mobilisation and
manipulation of the joints.
The Story of Osteopathy
Osteopathy was founded by Andrew Still in the late 1800’s,
which broke away from traditional medicine practices of leeching
and purging. He believed rather, that the muscular
skeletal system was central to health. This is
also a fundamental belief of Chiropractics,
a related yet contrasting health discipline.
The original theory behind both approaches presumed that energy
flowing through the nervous system is influenced by the supporting
structure that encase and protect it- the skull and vertebral
column. Defects in the musculoskeletal system were believed
to alter the flow of this energy and cause disease. These
were thought to be misalignments -- parts of the body out
of place, which can be readjusted by massage and joint manipulations.
A career in applied science that goes against scientific
evidence?
Maddie Knox, a Post-graduate student of Osteopathy at University
of Western Sydney, learns about mixed scientific theories
in regards to her massage practice and joint manipulations.
Wednesday the 12th, begins with four hours of practicing HVLA
(higher velocity low amplitude) joint manipulations on her
partner. She then is lectured on mixed scientific theories
of what actually is the mechanism behind the massage technique.
Some say it is the effect of released nitrogen on the surrounding
tissue. Others contribute the effect to reduced restriction
of gap facet joints, or it even could be via some sort of
neuro-reflex response.
The various scientific reasonings of why osteopathy works
infuriate Maddie, for it is not something that can be proved.
"Osteopathy just works. It is based on anecdotal
evidence, and it shouldn’t matter whether we have a scientific
reasoning of how it happens. In my opinion it shouldn’t be
an evidence based practice.”
Whole Person Medicine
Osteopaths have continued their emphasis on the musculoskeletal
system and their traditional focus on "whole person"
medicine. However, medical science has advanced with causes
of disease and discovered cures have becoming more defined.
Schools of Osteopathy have adopted modern science, and incorporated
it into their curriculum. However, some of their original
theories of disease don’t exactly fit into scientific reasoning.
To
learn more about the Osteopathy and other alternative medicine
courses offered at University of Western Sydney, click here
Want
to know how much an Osteopath gets paid? |
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