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The Osteopathic Concept
In 1981, American osteopaths formulated this definition for
Osteopathy
and the Osteopathic Concept
based on Andrew Taylor Still’s Philosophy:
"A system of health care founded by Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917) and
based on the theory that the body is capable of making its own remedies against
disease and other toxic conditions when in normal structural relationship and
[when it] has favorable environmental conditions and adequate nutrition. It
utilizes generally accepted physical pharmacology, and surgical methods of
diagnosis and therapy, while placing strong emphasis on the importance of body
mechanics and manipulative methods to detect and correct faulty structure and
function"
Osteopathic Medicine is a
philosophy
of health care and a distinctive art, supported by expanding scientific knowledge.
Its Philosophy embraces the concept of
the unity of the living organism's structure (anatomy) and function
(physiology). Its specificity consists in using a therapeutic mode. aiming at
reharmonizing the motility and fluctuation relations of the anatomic structures.
Its Art is the application of the
philosophy in the practice of medicine and surgery in all its branches and
specialities.
Its Science includes the behavioral,
chemical, physical, spiritual and biological knowledge related to the
establishment and maintenance of health as well as the prevention and
alleviation of disease.
Osteopathic concepts emphasize the following principles:
1. The human person is a unit
in which structure, function, mind and spirit are mutually and reciprocally
interdependent
2.. The human body, through a
complex equilibrial system, tends to be self-regulatory and self-healing in the
face of disease processes.
3. Adequate function of the
body systems depends upon the unimpeded circulatory mechanisms, nerve impulses,
and neurotrophic influences.
4. A rational treatment
regimen is based on this philosophy and these principles.
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