HUMAN ANATOMY ORGANS DIAGRAM

Although regarded to by many as a lesser effective approach and sometimes even a form of unproven 'witch' remedy, the practice of osteopathy, is as a matter of fact, a combination of science and philosophy and are based on scientific research and application of sound principles. The practice of osteopathy is governed by four underlying principles. These principles guide all the osteopathic practitioners in assessing, diagnosing, and treating their patients. The four principles are as follows:

The first principle of osteopathy is that the structure and function of the human body are interrelated. It was said by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of Osteopathy, that 'disease is a result of anatomical abnormalities followed by physiologic discord'. This means that the body, in order to function well, must be free from any misalignment of its body parts. This principle regards the human body as a machine that in order for it to function in its optimal ability, all the body parts must be in their proper locations.

The second principle applied in the osteopathic approach is that the body is a single but dynamic unit of function. This means that the human body, in the osteopathic approach is always taken as a whole. Even one small abnormality to a small part of the body may cause for it not to function well. This principle may explain the holistic approach a knowledgeable osteopath follows when treating his or her patients.

The third principle says that the body has mechanisms that can heal and regulate itself. This basically means that the body is capable of maintaining a balanced state of function and all a great osteopath would do is to assist the body to do so. If the self-healing processes are also slowed down by the abnormalities happening in the body, a skillful osteopath may also help in alleviating these outside or inside forces that may help a patient's body to get back to its normal function.

Lastly of the principles states that rational and sound treatments are applied to patients based on these principles. Osteopathic treatment are based on an osteopath's knowledge of anatomy and physiology that are integrated with the aforementioned principles which make a holistic and non-invasive treatment plans for its patients.

These four principles are based on research and sound applications and principles. It's the application of these four osteopathic principles that make osteopaths one of the most effective and holistic manual therapies available.