Osteopaths hold to the common sense principle that a patient’s history of illnesses and physical traumas are written into the body’s structure. In more clinical terms, a D.O. can even detect physical problems that fail to appear on an X-ray.

Osteopathy, including Cranial Osteopathy, is a system of medical knowledge and treatment that is based on the body’s natural tendency to strive toward a state of health and homeostasis (equilibrium).

Osteopathic physicians are trained to palpate (feel) the body’s “living anatomy” (i.e. flow of fluids, motion and texture of tissues, and structural makeup), and to apply manual treatment where needed. This treatment called Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) is a non-invasive approach to healing that works by restoring normal structure and function to areas impaired by trauma, disease, systemic disorders etc.

The Osteopath’s job is to “set” the body up to heal itself. To restore this normal function, the osteopath gently applies precise and gentle force to promote normal movement of the bodily fluids, eliminate dysfunction in the motion of tissues, and release compression and/or congestion in bones, joints, muscles and other tissues.

Simply put, when the body’s motion is in balance, a state of health exists. When this motion is disturbed, health is affected and a state of disease can arise. It is the Osteopathic physician’s highly developed sense of touch that allows the physician to palpate (feel) this motion and, through skilled hands, to administer Osteopathic manipulative treatments. These treatments can relieve disturbances of motion and enhance the vitality and function of the patient.