Osteopathy is the science of the musculoskeletal system which involves manual external manipulation of the skeletal system and organs to treat the patient. The science was developed in the 18th century by an American doctor called Arthur still, he is known as the father of osteopathy. Except in America this branch of medicine is treated as an alternative science, only in the US osteopaths can work as doctors and are given training in basics of medicine.
What then would be the curriculum vitea of an osteopathy school, it includes training in anatomy, physiology and then all the techniques of osteopathy. Osteopathic training is similar to allopathic training, involving training in all basic sciences. The important difference between the two is the use of osteopathic manipulative technique (OMT). Training in most osteopathy colleges lasts up to four years but some times can take up to seven years along with residency programmes.
The NSW college of naturopathic and osteopathic sciences has programmes in osteopathy since 1967. The college ahs many course in alternative sciences from nutrition to sports therapy, on campus and distance learning courses.
In case you are yet not clear about the role of an osteopath, let us see an example:
You get injured while playing soccer, the orthopaedic surgeon you are taken to dismisses your case as a simple sprain and puts you on pain killers.
Some one recommends a visit to an osteopath, you go there.
The osteopath starts with the history of the fall, he wants to know which other part of the body got injured when you hit the ground. Related parts like the knees, waist or thighs.
In case you have been limping about since the injury and putting more pressure on the other ankle then he will note that down.
Now comes the treatment which will include external manipulation of the injured ankle along with massage and other alternative remedies for good lymphatic and venous drainage of the injured leg.
He will also include some therapy for the over burdened other ankle and leg on which you are putting more pressure.
That is the full scope of this alternative therapy called osteopathy.