Osteopathic Medicine
Brief History:
Osteopathy was founded in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still, MD. Dr. Still was a frontier doctor from Kansas. He practiced general medicine and was both a soldier and surgeon in the Civil War. After seeing many die from serious illness, including his own wife and three children, he was determined to find a more effective approach to medicine. After years of studying human anatomy and physiology, observing nature, and with a spiritual foundation, he found an incredible approach to supporting the body’s natural healing ability. Essentially, he took a hands-on approach to diagnosis and treatment, leveraging the musculoskeletal system to improve the function of all body systems. He saved countess individuals from infectious diseases of the time that were otherwise claiming lives, i.e. tuberculosis, measles, mumps, and rubella. Despite tremendous ridicule from those who did not understand his approach, he persisted and ultimately started the American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri in 1892. Now, over 150 years later, with 40+ accredited osteopathic medical schools, and compromising approximately 11% of the physicians of the United States, the profession continues to grow. Truth be told, relatively few DOs have continued to practice with the purity and dedication that Dr. Still embodied. Dr. Van Deven is among those who continue to hold the torch.
Philosophy in Practice:
- Each individual is a unified expression of Mind, Body, and Spirit
- Structure and function are inseparable
- The body is self-healing
- Diagnosis and treatment are based on the previous three points of awareness
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)
Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) is the hands-on application of osteopathic principles. It is used to diagnose and treat many health-related issues. OMM identifies and addresses restrictions in all the tissues, fluids, organs, and physiologic systems of the body. The goal is to restore normal motion, which translates to normal function and health. There are a wide variety of techniques applied, from the very gentle to more direct, but all are applied with little force. Regardless of the technique, patients’ comfort and sense of wellbeing are the most important aspect of any treatment.
OMM is often life changing by itself, and sometimes additional care is needed. This involves laboratory testing and employing additional therapeutic means such as diet, lifestyle changes, supplements and medications for a multidimensional approach. All of which exist on the continuum of the philosophy and practice of osteopathy.
Osteopathy seeks to identify and treat the root cause of your symptoms and the disease itself by working with your innate Health.
Osteopathy provides a practice of medicine that is:
Individualized and patient-centered.
Spending more time with patients, listening to their stories.
Science-based.
Requiring a detailed understanding of each patient’s genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors.
Both conventional and specialty labs are used for identifying markers of health and areas requiring assistance.
Addresses the underlying causes of disease.
One condition has many different causes and, likewise, one cause may result in many different conditions. As a result, Osteopathic treatment targets the specific manifestations of disease in each individual.
Personalized treatment plans that promote optimal health and wellness.
Taking all of the above into account, patients receive treatments specific to their individual needs.