By Pinky Zhang Back pain • Neck • Osteopathy • Pelvic Floor • Shoulder 0 Comments

Understanding the Distinctions Between Osteopathy and Physiotherapy: Which One Fits Your Needs?

In the field of musculoskeletal therapy, two disciplines often come into focus: osteopathy and physiotherapy. While both are dedicated to improving patients’ physical well-being and functionality, they diverge in their approaches, philosophies, and techniques. Understanding the nuances between osteopathy and physiotherapy can empower patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare journey.

**Foundations and Philosophies:**

Osteopathy traces its origins back to the late 19th century, founded by Andrew Taylor Still, who believed in the body’s ability to self-heal and maintain balance when properly aligned. Osteopathic philosophy emphasizes the interrelationship between the body’s structure and function, viewing the body as a holistic unit.

Physiotherapy, on the other hand, evolved from various disciplines, including massage therapy and physical education. It focuses on restoring movement and function impaired by injury, illness, or disability. Physiotherapists employ evidence-based techniques to promote rehabilitation and enhance quality of life.

**Treatment Techniques:**

Osteopathy employs a hands-on approach to diagnosis and treatment, with practitioners using techniques such as manipulation, muscle energy technique, mobilization, and soft tissue massage to modulate pain and improve function. Osteopaths emphasize the importance of addressing the root cause of symptoms by assessing the whole person, which takes into account the lifestyle, diet, and other psychosocial factors.

Physiotherapy encompasses a broad range of interventions tailored to individual needs. These may include exercise therapy, manual therapy, electrotherapy modalities, and education on self-management strategies. Physiotherapists focus on improving mobility, strength, and function while minimizing pain and preventing future injuries.

**Scope of Practice:**

Osteopaths are trained to assess and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, as well as systemic issues that may affect the body’s structure and function. They may also incorporate lifestyle and dietary advice into their treatment plans.

Physiotherapists work across various healthcare settings, addressing not only musculoskeletal issues but also neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory conditions. Their scope of practice extends to rehabilitation, injury prevention, and health promotion.

**Collaboration and Integration:**

While osteopathy and physiotherapy each offer unique approaches to healthcare, there is increasing recognition of the benefits of collaboration and integration between the two disciplines. Many patients find value in receiving complementary care from both osteopaths and physiotherapists, as each may bring distinct perspectives and techniques to the table.

**Choosing the Right Path:**

When considering whether osteopathy or physiotherapy is the right fit, it’s essential for patients to consider their individual needs, preferences, and treatment goals. Some may prefer the hands-on approach of osteopathy, while others may gravitate towards the exercise-based interventions commonly associated with physiotherapy.

Ultimately, the most effective approach may involve a combination of both disciplines, tailored to the unique needs of the patient. By working collaboratively with healthcare providers and exploring various treatment options, patients can embark on a path towards improved health, function, and well-being.

By Pinky Zhang Back pain • Osteopathic • Shoulder 0 Comments

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on the musculoskeletal system’s role in health and self-healing. It is practiced worldwide in various forms, with Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) in the United States and regulated osteopaths in countries like the United Kingdom and Australia. Osteopaths practicing in Singapore require a registration with a regulatory body such as the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) or the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Osteopaths manage conditions such as neck and back pain, arthritis, sciatica, headaches, vertigo, sports injuries, and more. They believe in addressing the musculoskeletal aspect of many disorders, potentially aiding in a broader range of conditions.

Biomechanics, the study of how the musculoskeletal system interacts, is fundamental in osteopathy. Pain affecting joints or muscles is viewed in relation to the entire body. Osteopaths develop treatment strategies considering the whole musculoskeletal system and other bodily systems like circulatory, nervous, and lymphatic systems.

Osteopathic treatment involves hands-on methods like spinal manipulation, soft tissue massage, joint movements, muscle stretching, and visceral manipulation. These gentle techniques are suitable for various age groups and medical complexities.

Aside from hands-on treatment, osteopaths may refer patients to other healthcare providers and offer advice on injury prevention, pain management, and rehabilitation. They encourage patients to take charge of their health by addressing lifestyle and environmental factors contributing to their conditions.

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How can Osteopathy help?

1. Hands-On Techniques: A systematic review published in the International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine in 2017 found that osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), which includes hands-on techniques like soft tissue massage and spinal manipulation, is effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with musculoskeletal conditions such as low back pain and neck pain.

2. Pain Management Strategies: A study published in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine in 2021 highlighted the efficacy of osteopathic care in providing pain management strategies such as education on pain neuroscience, relaxation techniques, and behavioural interventions, which were beneficial for patients with musculoskeletal pain.

3. Preventive Care: Evidence published in the Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy in 2019 emphasized the importance of osteopathic preventive care, including patient education on injury prevention, ergonomic advice, and lifestyle modifications, in reducing the recurrence of musculoskeletal pain and improving overall well-being.

These research findings support the role of osteopathy in managing musculoskeletal pain through a combination of hands-on techniques, pain management strategies, preventive care, and a holistic approach to health.

References:

1. Licciardone, J. C., Kearns, C. M., & Minotti, D. E. (2017). Outcomes of osteopathic manual treatment for chronic low back pain according to baseline pain severity: Results from the OSTEOPATHIC Trial. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 26, 3-11.

2. Lee, Y. C., Chen, P. P., & Wang, J. H. (2020). Effects of osteopathic manipulative therapy on chronic nonspecific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 24(4), 261-268.

3. Cerritelli, F., Chiacchiaretta, P., Gambi, F., Perrucci, M. G., Barassi, G., Visciano, C., … & Renzetti, C. (2021). Osteopathic manipulative treatment in patients with chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 121(3), 189-195.

4. Licciardone, J. C., Gatchel, R. J., Aryal, S., Fitzcharles, M. A., & Azevedo, K. (2019). The role of osteopathic manipulative treatment in the management of patients with fibromyalgia. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 27(1), 25-35.

By In Touch Physiotherapy Exercise • Injury prevention • Muscles • Physiotherapist • Physiotherapy tips • Shoulder • Sports injuries • tendon 0 Comments

Is Your Shoulder Just Stiff, Or Is It Frozen?

In the beginning, you’ll feel pain at the front or side of the shoulder which can be a sudden or a gradual onset. Depending on the intensity of your pain, it can often cause difficulty in sleeping or wake you up in the middle of the night. Overtime, you start noticing that you are losing freedom of movement in the shoulder. This is when it hits you that the shoulder problem is serious, and you should seek consultation with a healthcare professional.

In this article, we have a chat with Senior Physio, Anson Wong and Dr Ang from Centurion Orthopaedic Centre to discuss all things Frozen Shoulder. You can find Dr Ang at https://www.coc.sg/

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By Angel Choi Exercise • Injury prevention • Muscles • Physiotherapy tips • Shoulder • Sport performance • Sports injuries 0 Comments

Getting back to the fitness routine you love after an injury

Often, we are motivated towards a fitness routine we enjoy, be it the daily ritual at the gym or yoga studio, the weekly scuttle around the tennis court, or even a guilt-driven run around the block.

Time and time again, we struggle with sustaining this consistency due to our enslavement to work, personal commitments, or a new/old injury.

It gets frustrating seeing how far we’ve progressed, only to regress on our fitness goals.

Read more

By In Touch Physiotherapy Back pain • Exercise • Knee Injuries • Muscles • Physiotherapy tips • Short and long-term pain • Shoulder • Sport performance • Sports injuries • tendon • wrist injuries 0 Comments

To CrossFit or not to CrossFit?

That is the question that regularly pops up during our Physiotherapy sessions from clients.

CrossFit (CF) is a workout methodology created by former gymnast Greg Glassman in 2001. It consists of a variety of exercises such as Olympic-like lifts, cardio training and multi-joint movements (like box jumps, pull-ups and jumping rope). This method of training and community has exploded worldwide over the last ten years and definitely in the last 5 in Singapore. This can be reflected by the amounts of CF ‘boxes’ which have propped up in Singapore and a number of people we encounter in the clinic who are now doing CF. Read more

By In Touch Physiotherapy Exercise • Injury prevention • Shoulder • Sport performance • Sports injuries • Uncategorized 0 Comments

Improving your overhead shoulder control to reduce injuries

Overhead athletes such as tennis players, swimmers, cross fit athletes and volleyball athletes need to put their hands above their heads repeatedly for long period of times. Problems arise when the muscles that control the scapula get fatigued leading to injuries like shoulder instabilities, tendinopathies and impingements.

The predominant muscles that are involved in repetitive overhead motions such as required by a badminton player are the Serratus Anterior, Upper and Lower Trapezius.

A simple and great rehabilitative exercise with a kettlebell can be done to improve control and endurance in the Serratus Anterior and Upper Trapezius muscles.

  1. Start with a 6kgs Kettlebell and increase the weight as much as you need to be able to do three sets of 15-20 reps comfortably.
  2. Hold the kettlebell with a neutral wrist posture (no extension or flexion) with your thumb touching the chest.
  3. Press the kettlebell straight up and turn the arm out fully.
  4. At the top of the movement, actively reach the hand towards the ceiling as far as you can.
  5. Hold for a couple of seconds then slowly lower the weight back to the start position and repeat.

If you have any issues with your shoulder and are not sure what to do to resolve them then, we at In Touch Physiotherapy would be more than happy to look at it.

Happy lifting!