Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Osteopathy or Physiotherapy: What is the Best Option Between the Two?

Accidents, injuries and chronic and acute disorders are common realities that a part of the general population faces. The good thing about it is that with the advancements in science and in medicine, we do not necessarily have to be left behind in terms of treatments and the alleviation of pain caused by these medical conditions.

A lot of people find it hard to differentiate Osteopathy and physiotherapy from one another. Although both branches of medicine technically deal with the alleviation of pain associated with musculoskeletal and visceral injuries, their philosophies and specific approaches make the difference. Osteopathy is a holistic approach towards the treatment of musculoskeletal and visceral dysfunctions.

It is a branch of medicine on its own and does not delve simply into short series of techniques that will be applied to the body. In order to provide holistic medical care, an osteopath would see to it to treat the body as a whole on the treatment of a dysfunction. It is not simply concerned with the treatments and relief of a certain symptom, but it makes sure that the dysfunctions are permanently cured and guaranteed not to recur. In order to achieve and restore this sense of harmony and balance in the body, osteopaths consider as well the psychological and social aspects of the patient in order to arrive at the best diagnosis.

Physiotherapy, on the other hand, is focused solely on the management and evaluation of health conditions for patients of all ages. A licensed Physio singapore bears the task of showing the patient the different kinds of treatments and movements that are designed to restore full function and use of body parts that may otherwise have been compromised due to age, the instance of accidents, injuries, health conditions, health disorders and more. Unlike osteopath, physiotherapist singapore do not provide the diagnosis for the patient. They simply facilitate the forms of physical therapy for the patients to be able to do as well once they are out of hospital grounds.

If you have constant bouts or complaints of knee pains or leg discomforts, it may be an excellent idea to consult an osteopath first for a complete checkup and diagnosis. Remember, osteopaths are licensed medical practitioners who can readily diagnose and prescribe your plan of treatment on the fly. If you seek a physiotherapist immediately, he or she might decide on a series of physical therapies without conscious regard to the functions your hips, your back, your ankles or your legs might contribute to your current pain in the knees. An osteopath will always think as your body as a large system where the different parts of your body is meant to explain your discomfort. Seek an osteopath first for a holistic medical program, and then once you are confident with the treatment plan, have your osteopath recommend you to a licensed physiotherapist to teach you all the movements and techniques you need to know so you can do the therapy yourself at the comfort of your own home.