3 Common Myths About Osteopaths

Health & Medical Blog

Osteoarthritis is a musculoskeletal condition that comes with age and results from wear and tear around joints, which causes the thinning of cartilage. Osteoarthritis is painful and tends to restrict the range of joint movement pain and consequently daily activities. The first professional you should see after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis is an osteopath, who is a physician who applies manipulative medicine to relieve pain and tension in the musculoskeletal system. However, you should know the myths surrounding osteopathy to understand what osteopaths are all about.

It Is Only About Bones 

One of the most common misconceptions about osteopaths is that they only deal with bone tissue problems. The reason is that most people first hear about osteopaths from individuals living with arthritis. Additionally, the fact that the word osteo is a Greek term meaning 'bone' adds confusion. Although the origin of osteopathy is deeply rooted in bone treatment and management, modern osteopaths also treat joint and muscle problems. In fact, a contemporary osteopath is a more holistic physician because they involve muscle system in treating and managing bone conditions. 

Osteopaths Are Similar to Chiropractors/Physiotherapists 

Chiropractors and physiotherapists are the other two physicians that deal with the musculoskeletal system. Unfortunately, some people believe that a chiropractor, a physiotherapist and an osteopath do the same thing. Although the work done by these different physicians overlaps, each discipline has a different way of treating and managing patients. For instance, an osteopath comes into a patient's life much earlier than a chiropractor or physiotherapist. Additionally, osteopaths apply a holistic approach in their treatment therapies, whereas physiotherapists only focus on rehabilitative care. Therefore, if you break your femur, the right person to contact would be a physiotherapist. However, you should first see an osteopath if you ever experience pain in any of your joints.   

They Are Alternative Medicine Practitioners 

The myth is mainly perpetrated by health organisations that list osteopathy as alternative medicine. However, it is not the case because you cannot learn about alternative medicine in conventional western medical institutions. Thus, you cannot group osteopaths under alternative medicine practitioners because they are guided by scientific-based forms of medical therapy practised in health care facilities globally. That said, modern licensed osteopaths are aware of the fact that some alternative medicine treatments are effective at treating and managing musculoskeletal issues. You should contact such an osteopath since you stand a much higher chance of recovery.

12 April 2021