What is osteopathy? A holistic approach practiced in Barcelona
Introduction
If you are looking for a solution to relieve pain, stress or functional issues, you may have already heard of osteopathy.
But… what exactly is osteopathy, and how can it help you?
Osteopathy is a holistic hands-on approach that seeks to understand how the body functions as a whole. In our clinic in Barcelona, we practise gentle and precise osteopathy to help the body restore long-term balance.
What is osteopathy and where does it come from?
La osteopatía nació en Estados Unidos a finales del siglo XIX. Fue creada por Andrew Taylor Still que elaboró este concepto tras una larga investigación y numerosos cuestionamientos sobre la salud y la vida.
Su historia personal estuvo marcada por la muerte de sus seres más cercanos (su mujer y cuatro de sus hijos), hechos que desencadenaron lo que lo llevó a buscar nuevas maneras de curar.
The principles of osteopathy: our approach
«Medicus curat, natura sanat» (el médico cura, la naturaleza sana).
The osteopath accompanies the tissues with his hands to allow the body to harmonise.
It is based on several principles:
- the hand, our only tool for analysis and treatment
- the notion of the globality of the individual (the body is one)
- the interdependence between structure and function
- la autorregulación del cuerpo
Our lifestyle, repetitive movements, stress, trauma of all kinds, emotional shocks, psychological and nervous tensions are often the cause of so-called "functional" pain.
La osteopatía resulta eficaz en este tipo de tensiones funcionales y no se dirige en ningún caso a los dolores orgánicos, es decir, a los dolores relacionados con patologías establecidas.
La osteopatía permite reequilibrar – en paralelo o no a un tratamiento médico – los diferentes sistemas del cuerpo, la mayoría de las veces en relación con las vértebras. Por esta razón, tratamos las zonas desde donde se originan los dolores y no necesariamente las zonas dolorosas.
«La osteopatía es una ciencia, un arte y una filosofía».
Why traditional osteopathy?
«Solo los tejidos vivos del cuerpo conocen la verdad».
Queremos mantenernos fieles a los principios de los fundadores de la osteopatía, sobre todo los de A.T. Still, W.G. Sutherland y R. Becker.
La osteopatía es una medicina tradicional que se basa en un conocimiento anatómico preciso y una filosofía holística. Se basa en una visión global del ser humano (cuerpo, alma, espíritu) y no únicamente en una visión mecánica.
Una vez completado el tratamiento osteopático, el cuerpo puede seguir regulándose por sí mismo.
Allow the inner vital function to manifest its unfailing power, rather than applying blind force from the outside.
Our therapeutic contract with the patient
Our aim is to restore the overall balance of the organism, called homeostasis.
Nuestro deseo es permitir al cuerpo autorregularse. La calidad de nuestro trabajo de osteópata depende de nuestra capacidad de liberar las tensiones profundas que obstaculizan esta autorregulación. Estamos interesados en todo lo que puede desequilibrar el cuerpo humano y optamos por una exploración minuciosa.
Trabajamos estrechamente con otros terapeutas, en particular con psicoterapeutas (principalmente del enfoque Gestalt) porque a menudo parece que las tensiones más profundas y persistentes del cuerpo tienen orígenes emocionales (emociones inconscientes, a menudo relacionadas con la experiencia del paciente).
Damos consejos de forma sistemática sobre el estilo de vida, suplementos, ejercicio físico y estiramientos que hay que hacer después de la sesión.
It goes against our personal code to conduct osteopathic sessions on the same patient every month for the same problem or pain. Our aim is to achieve patient autonomy and responsibility. However, initially, in some particular cases (such as acute pathologies), it is necessary to see the patient for regular follow-up.
Nuestro objetivo es que el paciente gane autonomía.
Osteopathy is a therapy that is fundamentally oriented towards prevention.
Le recomendamos consultar con el osteópata 2 o 3 veces al año para prevenir la aparición de tensiones y adaptaciones, en lugar de solo hacerlo en caso de fuertes dolores, lo cual necesitará más trabajo y por ende más sesiones.
Frequently asked questions
After an osteopathic session the body does a "reset", sometimes the pain increases or the area changes.
It is like a zip that sometimes has to be closed to be opened again.
The pain is usually muscular after a session, as it often needs time to relax, especially if the blockage/pain has lasted for a long time.
Sometimes it takes two sessions to see results, but in most cases the pain disappears or is reduced 48 hours after the session.
Fatigue is perfectly normal.
The relaxation of the neurovegetative nervous system often results in a great need for rest after the session.
It is also important to remember that a movement requires a lot of energy, so all the adjustments we make during a session that seem so gentle will push the body to readjust in a very deep way, so it will take energy from your body.
So, ¡get some rest!
Our vision of health means that we are opposed to seeing people every month. This goes against our philosophy.
Most patients feel much better after the first session and have no more pain after the second session.
During your session, we will systematically give you our point of view on the number of sessions to be carried out: it is our therapeutic pact, our commitment to you. If necessary, we will give you a new appointment directly.
In some cases of various and/or major pains, we will probably need more sessions more or less spaced out over time depending on what we notice in the body.
Our experience shows that 2 to 3 sessions are needed to completely balance the system.
We advise pregnant women to attend from the third month of pregnancy, and then in the seventh or eighth month, depending on their needs.
The first session is usually the one that allows us to "prepare the body" for pregnancy and the changes it entails. The second session is the preparation for the birth. We check that everything is in order, especially the pelvis, in preparation for a vaginal birth.
We advise young parents to bring their newborns as soon as possible after birth. Ideally within the first two weeks of life.
For young mothers, it is better to wait 40 days after the birth to go for a consultation. EXCEPT in the case of severe pain: coccyx, lumbar or stomach pain.
Osteopathy is a valuable aid in parallel to many medical treatments: treatment of insomnia, depression, thyroid disorders, blood pressure disorders, migraines etc.
In the case of chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments, osteopathy is an important and highly recommended ally.
We do not recommend that patients attend a session if they have an infection with or without fever, and we recommend that parents wait a few days to make an appointment after vaccinating infants and children.
Osteopathy is a form of alternative medicine that emphasises manual, non-invasive treatment of the human body to improve health. It was founded in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still in the United States, based on the premise that all bodily functions are interconnected and the musculoskeletal system plays a fundamental role in health and disease.
What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is based on techniques of manipulation and mobilisation of various parts of the body, especially the musculoskeletal system. Osteopaths use their hands to diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of health problems. They create a personalised approach for each patient, considering the relationship between body, mind, and spirit, and looking for the root cause of health problems rather than just treating the symptoms.
What is osteopathy for?
Osteopathy is used to treat various conditions, including:
- Muscle and joint painSuch as back pain, neck pain, sciatica, and joint problems such as arthritis.
- Posture problemsDue to muscle tension, muscular imbalances or bad working and daily posture.
- Sports injuriesHelping to regain function and mobility after injuries.
- Digestive problemsSuch as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Headaches and migrainesThrough manipulation of the muscles of the neck and head.
- Stress-related complicationsIncluding sleep disorders and chronic fatigue.
- Pregnancy-related problemsTo relieve back pain and prepare the body for an easier birth.
In addition to these treatments, osteopathy is also used as a preventative approach to maintain general wellbeing and prevent health problems before they start. By improving the functioning of the body and helping to maintain balance and harmony, osteopathy can be a valuable tool for improving overall quality of life.