It’s not all or nothing! Osteopathy and traditional medicine are not opposing forces but complementary practices. When used together, they can promote greater holistic health and well-being.
I’ve talked to some clients who thought they could only choose one health modality for their pain or health care. Some patients even feel the need to hide that they’re working with other practitioners.
The truth is that I (and any other alternative or traditional practitioners you’re seeing) can provide better holistic care when we understand your entire treatment plan. This helps us work together to maximize your healing, wellbeing, and comfort.
In this article, I’ll highlight how osteopathy complements traditional medical treatments and healing techniques to create a better care plan for you.
Understanding osteopathy
Osteopathy is a holistic manual practice that treats pain and dysfunction in your:
- Bones
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Nerves
- Connective tissues
- Internal organs
Your osteopathic practitioner uses biomechanical principles and gentle techniques to encourage your body to heal quickly and efficiently. It also supports your overall health and wellness by helping find the root cause of injury or pain, not just treating the symptoms.
Your care and healing plan will depend on your injury or health goals. Common treatments your osteopath may perform include:
- Myofascial Release
- Muscle Energy Techniques (MET)
- Soft Tissue Massage Techniques
- Cranial Therapy
- Stretching
Understanding traditional medicine
Traditional Medicine (TM) has a long history. Often passed down from previous generations, traditional medicine is the “knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health and the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.”
Traditional medicine may include plant-based or natural medicines, ceremonies, prayers, counselling, and other techniques. These techniques may include:
- Acupuncture
- Homeopathy
- Naturopathy
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Chiropractic care
- Massage
- Tai Chi or Yoga
- Electromagnetic therapy
- Reiki
- Qigong
- Meditation
- Biofeedback
- …and many more
Many of these medicines and therapies can be used alongside other health care and practices, including osteopathy and western medicine. Together, they provide a more holistic approach to your healthcare and recovery.
To benefit from a multi-practitioner approach to healing and health, let your practitioners know what other healthcare support you’re receiving (whether related to your injury or not).
The shared values and beliefs of osteopathy and traditional medicine
One of the reasons osteopathy and traditional medicines work so well together is that they share similar belief systems: optimal health and wellness depend on a holistic approach to your care.
Both also believe in treating the body as a whole rather than treating a specific body part at the site of pain or injury. The body is an interconnected system, and pain or injury in one area often results from an imbalance or dysfunction somewhere else.
How osteopathy complements traditional medicine
When you combine osteopathy, traditional medicine, and therapies, you can get a powerful, holistic combination. Working with multiple complementary healthcare providers, you may benefit from:
- Enhanced recovery: Osteopathic treatments can help you prepare for surgery or other therapies that may cause temporary pain or discomfort. Osteopathy can help by improving your circulation and reducing inflammation.
- Better chronic pain management: Osteopathy can support other pain management techniques or medications like prescription medications or herbal remedies.
- Increased long-term health outcomes: Your Osteopath can support your mobility, posture, and biomechanics.
- Support via preventative care: Osteopathy works well with other modalities and medicines to proactively promote overall physical health and well-being. It can contribute to a decreased risk of recurring issues.
- Improved mental well-being: Osteopathy supports positive mental health and well-being. It works directly to calm physical manifestations of stress and tension in your nervous system, balance your hormones, help you sleep better, and calm your mind.
The future of collaborative healthcare
I firmly believe in the power of a collaborative approach to your health. Whether that’s between you and I, or between us and other traditional or western medicine practitioners you’re working with. Working together can help treat you more effectively and wholly so you experience faster recovery and boosted health outcomes.
Osteopathy has many benefits but doesn’t have to be your sole solution to your health and wellness goals. In fact, a collaborative approach between complementary modalities can provide even greater benefits than one alone.
If you’re suffering from chronic pain, a recurring injury, or a medical procedure, or are trying to boost your overall health and wellness or fertility, talk to your osteopath today. I can help you address the root cause of any health and wellness concerns and work alongside other traditional or Western medicine or treatments.
Book an appointment with me today so we can work on your health and wellness goals together.
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