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What are the possibilities of osteopathy and where are its limits?
With its holistic approach, this particular form of manual therapy seeks to remedy the causes of ailments, rather than focusing on alleviating the symptoms. Functional disorders should be recognized and eliminated by the osteopathic treatment. Osteopaths feel with their hands blockages and tension that can be the cause of discomfort and then try to solve it. Although osteopathy can not replace a drug treatment or even an operation in an emergency, an accompanying use is often helpful in such cases.
That can be osteopathy. Picture: Karelnoppe - Fotolia Under no circumstances should the impression arise that osteopathy is a panacea and, of course, osteopathic treatment can not be seen as a substitute for medical or surgical treatment, reports the Federal Association of Osteopathy (BVO). However, this particular form of manual therapy, with a variety of ailments, offers the opportunity to specifically address the cause of the problems with the gentle, holistic treatment. Osteopathy is not limited to the musculoskeletal system - as is often assumed - but also includes treatments on the internal organs and on the nervous system. According to the approaches of osteopathy, the musculoskeletal system, the organs, blood vessels and nerve tracts are in direct connection with each other through the connective tissue structures (fasciae). Blockages and tension occurring here should be resolved by the osteopathic treatment, as they are considered as a possible cause of dysfunction.
Treat the origin of the complaints
According to the BVO, the goal of osteopathic treatment is "to dissolve or attenuate causative disease factors, to restore free mobility of the joints and fascia, to balance the autonomic nervous system, to harmonize body statics, to resolve visceral disorders, and to facilitate psycho-emotional relief and relaxation achieve. "The activation of the self-healing powers of the patients plays a central role. "We are looking for the origin of the burden," says BVO chairman Georg Schöner. The alternative practitioner and osteopath explains that, above all, the eyes and hands are used as diagnostic instruments. "We feel and feel, we look at the whole body," says Schöner. Although a glance at the MRI image is also thrown out, patients should submit one, but this is only a supplement to the diagnosis. "For our assessment, such a section is not enough, because we consider the body holistically," says the chairman of the BVO.
Consider functional relationships
Using the example of a patient with a herniated disc, the expert explains why the holistic approach is so crucial. According to him, the discomfort of the disc can "never disappear without treatment over the colon," because the disc and intestine are connected by the fascia. Thus, tensions on the intestine would be repeatedly transferred to the intervertebral discs. Also with other complaints comparable functional connections are given. For example, back pain may be related to kidney dysfunction, and women have a fascia connection between the uterus and the sacrum. Disturbances of the stomach, according to the BVO, have an effect on the mobility of the diaphragm and thus possibly impair the mobility of the spine. These are functional relationships that should be considered during treatment.
Criticism for lack of scientific foundation
Although osteopathy has been proven many times in practice and health insurance companies such as the Techniker Krankenkasse or the AOK for a good reason proportionately take over costs for osteopathic treatment, is still today the charge of a lack of scientific foundations in the room. For example, Johannes Flechtenmacher, president of the Professional Association of Orthopedics and Traumatology (BVOU) is quoted by Spiegel Online as saying that osteopathy assumes that all diseases are treatable by hand, but there is little scientific evidence to support their effectiveness. An evaluation of the treatment method by the German Medical Association in 2009 showed that "reasonably reliable statements on the efficacy and effectiveness of osteopathic treatments are only available for a few clinical pictures." These were primarily chronic pain syndromes of the spine. However, it must also be mentioned at this point that many drug and surgical treatment methods remain controversial to this day. This applies, for example, to operations due to herniated discs and knee surgery due to chronic knee pain. However, in addition to this, a potentially harmful intervention has been carried out, as a rule, while health-damaging effects of osteopathy can generally be ruled out.
Osteopathy increasingly in demand
Despite allegations of a lack of scientific substantiation, more and more patients are turning to an osteopath, not only for treatments of the musculoskeletal system. Today, more than five million people are receiving osteopathic treatment each year, reports Spiegel Online, citing the figures of the Federal Agency of Osteopaths in Germany (VOD). Back pain, babies with crying colics or seniors with hip problems, heartburn, migraine or menstrual cramps are enough to cover the spectrum of symptoms treated. The cost of a session is stated by the VOD at 60 to 100 euros, and patients should ask their health insurance company if it is possible to cover the costs.
Reimbursement of costs by the health insurance companies clarify
According to the data of "Spiegel Online", many health insurance companies reimburse proportionally the costs of osteopathic treatment as a voluntary additional benefit. As a rule, maximum amounts per session or year are specified in the statutes. Ann Marini of the GKV-Spitzenverband is quoted by the news portal with the statement that insured persons should inquire with their own health insurance "whether osteopathy is offered or it is planned, which conditions are associated with this offer and with which therapists the fund cooperates." According to the AOK, patients often only need one to three sessions before the desired outcome occurs. Prerequisite for the proportionate reimbursement of the AOK is the prescription by a doctor and the assurance of a sufficient qualification of the osteopath. Therefore, the therapist must be a member of an association of osteopaths or have completed training that entitles them to join in these associations.
Pay attention to the qualification of osteopaths
So far, the profession of osteopathic is not recognized by the state, which is why patients in principle should pay particular attention to the qualifications. Only a few months ago, the various interest groups were able to agree on a specific job profile, but legally prescribed guidelines for training were not yet available. However, a qualified osteopath should have completed at least 1,350 hours of training and passed a diagnostic and medical examination, according to BVO chairman Schöner. "Physicians could also continue their training in chiropractic and manual medicine. The President of the Professional Association of Orthopedics and Traumatology emphasizes that these doctors "then also perform osteopathic treatments, since they are part of manual medicine." This is not a contradiction, but make it easier for them to choose the appropriate treatment. However, the manual therapies of chiropractic or physiotherapy are only partially comparable with the approach of osteopathy. Because these approach the treatment of the symptoms, for example by limiting what is not happening in osteopathy. Here the treatment aims at the causes of the complaints. However, "responsible osteopaths" should also know their limits, reports Schöner. For example, in severe injuries, fractures, wounds, but also in mental illness, osteopathy can offer no help. These would have to be assessed by a doctor in any case. (Fp)