History & Introduction
Osteopathic manipulative therapy which is considered as a branch of alternative medicine/or as a version of allopathic medicine which has opted to diversify in an evidence based manner according to the newer developments that have scientifically been measured, peer reviewed and published without deviations from the original tenets of Dr. Andrew Taylor Still , M.D; who opposed the use of drugs and surgery as major instruments of healing.
Dr. Still described the healing as body’s self-initiated process facilitated by the use of proper nutrition and application of measured movements and manipulations of both the soft and bony tissues. This as a result would allow for the elimination of interruptions to the tissues and allow for the adequate flow of blood, nervous impulses and lymphatic drainage through the fascia.
As per the historical outline it is imperative to state that manual manipulations and mobilization were advocated in Ayurvedic medicine by Sushruta Samhita who was also a surgeon and Charakha Samhita around 900-600 BC, and later on similar treatment utilizing massage and other modalities such as hydrotherapy were advocated by Hippocrates. This was because it was observed that continuous immobilization caused the loss of muscle mass, mobility and function.
The post renaissance and the industrial revolution period in Britain and Europe tended to monopolize everything as of being of European origin and took ownership of and initiated the development of what is known as physiotherapy around the year 1896 in London, U.K. and 1920 the chartered society of physiotherapy was formed with the main goal of achieving recovery of any functional limitations and disabilities following any trauma or disease.
Osteopathic philosophy in the Midwest of USA takes this thought to slightly different level where the initiating factor might have been the injury but the actual effect occurs due to the abnormalities formed in viscero-somatic reflexes which is well described in the book “ The Clinical Science and Clinical Application of Manual Therapy by Hollis H.King et.al”.
As described by Mr.Seyed Amir Ghafari Hosseini of National Academy Of Osteopathy, Toronto, Canada that even though the major Osteopahic manipulative treatment consists of Joint Mobilization, Soft Tissue Therapy, Muscle Energy Technique, along with 40 others(see at the legend the 40 procedures of osteopathy); the Physiological Therapeutics have now become an integral part of Osteopathic therapeutics and these include the following physical modalities :
Interferential Current Stimulation.
Ultrasound.
TENS.
Heat and Cold therapy.
Percussion and Vibrational therapy or Extracorporeal Shockwave therapy.
The above-mentioned modalities are used to allow the relaxation of tissues, liberation of fibrosisand calcifications prior to the manipulation and mobilization techniques as well as the soft tissue techniques that enhance drainage.
Photobiomodulation is a novel entity that can be aggregated to the above list, initiated by the advancements of technology, engineering, physics and electricity this currently is being utilized with very beneficial results by all the healthcare community for various purposes which may include Skin growth, Hair growth and removal, Pigment removal, Joint pain, Synovial tissue healing.
As per the tenets of Dr. Andrew T. Still, MD, which is as follows: -
"Osteopathy is a science which consists of such exact exhaustive and verifiable knowledge of the structure and functions of the human mechanism, anatomy and physiology & psychology including the chemistry and physics of its known elements as is made discernible certain organic laws and resources within the body itself by which nature under scientific treatment peculiar to osteopathic practice apart from all ordinary methods of extraneous, artificial & medicinal stimulation and in harmonious accord with its own mechanical principles, molecular activities and metabolic processes may recover from displacements, derangements, disorganizations and consequent diseases and regain its normal equilibrium of form and function in health and strength."
AT Still MD
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