The two essential components of manual osteopathy are:
1) the structural assessment for diagnosis
2) the different manual treatment techniques
The aim of the structural assessment is to identify specific somatic dysfunctions. The Glossary of Osteopathic Medicine defines somatic dysfunction as “the impaired or altered function of related components of the somatic system: skeletal, arthroidal, myofascial structures and their related vascular, lymphatic and neural elements.”
Diagnostic criteria for somatic dysfunctions focus on the tone and possible abnormalities of tissue texture. Areas of asymmetry and misalignment of bony landmarks are also evaluated, along with the quality of motion, balance and organization.
The goal of manual osteopathy is to treat somatic dysfunction. By combining a thorough understanding of anatomy with the pathophysiology of disease, manual osteopathy works to restore normal physiological function.
Somatic dysfunction is a diagnostic term defined as impaired or altered function of related components of the somatic (body framework) system: skeletal, arthrodial, and myofascial
ReplyDeletestructures and related vascular, lymphatic, and neural elements.