Well, this is certainly a tricky subject to tackle, particularly after an inconclusive debate at the Advancing Osteopathy event back in February 2008.
Osteopathy was founded at a time of industrial and mechanical revolution, 1800s – the thinking and understanding behind it was very much based on the mechanical mindset. This has been extremely successful for many decades; however, I do feel that some of its ideals are a little simplistic. The body does indeed act as a machine, however, there is so much more than moving parts and anatomy. The computer age has given us a far more detailed understanding of how the human body works. There are complex processing units (e.g. hypothalamus), inputs (e.g. nutrition, vision, hearing) and outputs (speech, expressions, movement) – the list could go on forever. There needs to be, if I may continue with the computer metaphor an “upgraded version” of the osteopathic philosophy and understanding.
Having said this, I don’t believe it should be involved in the mainstream medical model of chasing symptoms round the body. By integrating Osteopathy into the NHS model, there is a fear that Osteopathy will become “pigeon-holed” into an orthopaedic technician. One that only treats based on medical diagnosis and is given “back” problems or “neck problems” – this is completely contrary to the osteopathic healthcare model of the body working as a whole. Rather viewing each area or “disease” separately. From a true osteopathic prospective having a department for cardiology and a department for rheumatology etc is looking at the body in separate parts and not as a completely working machine, each area effectively every other.
In conclusion, I do feel that Osteopathy needs to not shy away from new ideas and techniques and this should be encourage. However, a trip into the NHS can surely only crush the osteopathic principles and philosophy which have so much common sense attached to them.
osteopathsguide
winiosteo
July 1, 2008 at 11:40 am
The NHS has changed – you must understand this. Read the Department of Health’s Musculoskeletal Services Framework and you will realise that the NHS is not the beast that it once was.
Osteopathy MUST change, it MUST join the NHS – for the good of the profession, for the good of the NHS but – MORE IMPORTANTLY, for the good of the patient.
Keep up the good work – I strongly support the Osteopaths Guide.
JH
October 15, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Change is explicit in evolution. Osteopathy in the UK has barely changed since its arrival in the 1900’s. Education and understanding may be a little more sophisticated, in the context of development within the basic sciences but what once distinctively defined an osteopath does not do so now. What was once a medical heresy is now largely ‘accepted’; such acceptance based on the product of research in the basic medical sciences informing practice. The trouble is that osteopaths still bang much the same drum. Put an osteopath from 1890 in the same room as one from 2000 and they’d likely have a useful and informative discussion. The same could not be said for a doctor of medicine or a surgeon. These individuals, from the different ages would likely completely fail to understand each others language, concepts or practice.
Most other healthcare professions have evolved if only to adopt osteopathic thinking and skills. Osteopaths have now largely lost that which is distinctive. Any hope for the future survival of the profession lies in reacquiring distinctiveness, expanding practice rights, forming strategic alliances eg. with chiropractic and physiotherapy or perhaps even coalescing with these groups into a sophisticated profession of physical medicine. After all, it is likely there is little difference in the patient populations currently attending any particular group. A successful future of professional survival lies in meeting all challenges and turning them into evolutionary steps of increasing sophistication. It also demonstrates clearly that we’re here to stay and both welcome the opportunities to participate in change. Continuing the observed trend is more of the same ‘flat line’ no-change profession who will ultimately be unable to distinguish itself from the grave yard.