Osteopathy
Osteopathic physicians are fully trained and licensed to practice all aspects of modern medicine. Those of us who choose to specialize in manipulative medicine use the knowledge gathered by Drs. Still and Sutherland to work in the classic osteopathic style. Rather than rely on pharmaceuticals to alter the operation of the body's chemical systems, the osteopath affects the operation of the biophysical systems to bring about a state of improved function.
What is Osteopathy?
Andrew Taylor Still, MD, began his search for a natural method to leverage the body’s inner healing mechanisms and desire for optimal health after his service in the Civil War. Through a detailed understanding of the interconnectedness of the many systems of the body an osteopath can use gentle manual treatments to remove obstacles to progress and promote healing from injuries, trauma, acute and chronic illness, and other health concerns. In the early 1900’s, Dr. William Sutherland added the cranial and central nervous system aspects to round out treatment of the whole patient.
For treatment of strains, pains, and other musculoskeletal system issues, the osteopath is adept at relieving the symptoms by getting at the root cause of the problem. Some popular manipulative treatments use force to overpower the body to take it where the practitioner wants it to go. This approach often leads to short term improvement without long term healing. By listening to the body's inner wisdom and moving gently in the direction the body is trying to go, the osteopathic treatment brings about healing on many levels.
To be a healthy and whole human being requires our physical, biochemical, emotional, intellectual, energetic, and spiritual layers all be working well and connected. Osteopathic treatment as offered by Dr. Corbett helps with this complex and subtle effort, thereby restoring health rather than simply suppressing the immediate symptoms. Remember: successful treatment in an otherwise healthy person means that you eventually don't need to keep going back for more treatment.
Most of the other manual methods available have a core focus on one element of the physical body, whether it is alignment of the spine or tension and strength of the musculature or fascia. Osteopaths, on the other hand, use direct hands-on treatment, coupled with knowledge gained through complete medical training, to influence the nerves, blood vessels, connective tissue, organs, brain and spinal cord, and lymphatic system as well as the bone and muscle structure to resolve dysfunctions. No other branch of medicine addresses the way each part communicates with and influences the whole the way osteopathy does, which lends itself nicely to treating complex health issues.
Complex and longstanding problems often have a basis in the physical elements of the body. If other treatment has not worked, or the patient prefers a less toxic/invasive approach, osteopathy may provide an answer. Issues that might not seem treatable by manual methods can sometimes have positive changes with osteopathic care.
Osteopathy may not be as well known as some other types of health care, but it has been used by many famous people through the years. It has stood the test of time and dedicated practitioners go through years of rigorous training to be able to provide this gentle, natural and effective treatment to people in need.