Osteopathy comes from the Greek osteon (ὀστέον), “bone” and patheia (πάθεια), “disease”. It is a field of medicine which is based on body interrelation of the mind and the spirit, whether in health or sickness, emphasizing the structural and functional integrity of the body and its tendency to self-healing.
Osteopath Dr. Luciana Pimentel explains that Osteopathy is an approach that uses manual techniques to assess, diagnose and treat a patient. The goal is to restore the balance of body functions and also the components of the Somatic System (skeleton, joint, muscles, tendons and myofascial vascular elements, and neural and related lymph).
It was created in the nineteenth century by a North American doctor, Andrew Taylor Still. The first Osteopathic College was founded in Kircksville, Missouri, USA, in the year 1892. In 1908, Osteopathy was already recognized as a profession in the US, and in 1917 it already accounted more than three thousand graduates in osteopathy.
In 2001 the Osteopathic Physiotherapy was recognized in Brazil by the Federal Council of Physical Therapy as a specialty of Physiotherapist. And in 2012, the Ministry of Labor recognized it as a Medical Occupation, as well as an occupation of the Physiotherapists.
Osteopathy with its biomechanical approach can be an instrument to be used with high- performance athletes, not only as a treatment but as prevention too, improving their performance and reducing the risk of injury.
Wrestler Antoine Jaoud was presented to Osteopathy by Dra. Luciana Pimentel, in 2007, during the Pan American Games in Rio. Today he recognizes that there is an athlete before and another after the Osteopathy.
“Injuries that bothered me for years disappeared as if by magic.”
Dr. Luciana says that one day, before Antoine Abou Jaoude came to the Pan Village, he was examined by her, complaining of neck pain, with loss of mobility on the “neck” and also feeling “shock” while doing the movement “Jeb” (punch). Several hours after treatment, the pain and the feeling of “shock” had improved and the mobility was restored. He reached the semi-finals and did not get the bronze medal only due to a disruption in the brachii muscle biceps.
Osteopathy does not have contraindications and does not require specific indication. According to Dr. Luciana, the professional has full autonomy to make an assessment on a patient who has any kind of abuse, such as pain, loss of mobility, dizziness, among many others. The patient will be submitted to an evaluation, diagnosis and treatment or, if necessary, be referred to the professional that the patient need (doctor, physiotherapist, etc.)
Thus, according to osteopathy, we need to balance all body systems so that no dysfunction could cause other ones.
As the creator, Dr. Still, explains, if the structure is in harmony, there can be no disease, and the human bodies can rather regulate themselves and do a self healing. Just rely on the work of the Osteopath.
That’s our tip! A big kiss! And a lot of harmony for you!
