Osteopathy is a type of treatment that is based on a theory that the deformation of part of a human skeleton and therefore the effects on the surrounding nerves and blood vessels are the reason for most diseases. Practitioners treat this practice in a holistic approach. Osteopaths treat the person as a whole and do not deal with the specifics but deal with the underlying problems created by diseases. Graduates of osteopathy gain a doctorate in this study recognized by medical authorities.

Osteopathic history dates back to 1874 and is now used widely amongst the American medical world. Osteopathy treatment is much more similar to chiropractic methods if studied outside of the USA. Medical science played a big role in the advancing of osteopathy as we learned more about medical science, more was incorporated into osteopathy. Osteopathic Manipulative Motion is used for more manual and physical osteopathy in the United States and in other countries, is considered simply osteopathic practice. Although it is thought of as similar to chiropractic treatment, the distinction between the two must be the same.

Cranial osteopathy is practiced amongst osteopaths but it is a very niche market and many contest the fact that this is being practiced, although it is a well established form of treatment. Some call it a pseudo-science and these are the people that have not seen direct benefits from cranial osteopathy. It will still remain a controversial issue in the osteopathic world although there is a gaining interest in this issue.

In commonwealth countries, it is common to spend much more time on studying the profession that in the United States, as much as ten times longer. In the UK it is seen as a distinct profession.

In some countries where it is not that common to practice osteopathy, it is subject to a lot of criticism, which is generally directed to other types of alternative medicine as well. Although there have been many success stories from osteopaths and patients that have had such treatment, the conventional world often attacks the modality of it, especially when it comes to cranial osteopathy. They suggest that the lack of scientific knowledge that is associated with this type of treatment continues to challenge those who think they know better. They are often of conflicting views in both fields although it is not uncommon to treat patients both conventionally and through an osteopathic approach. It is true that there is a risk of injury or side effects in osteopathy, but this can be said of any treatment, natural or artificial. Sometimes a forced movement of a joint in the body may produce unwelcome results and therefore one must be careful of this i.e. not to exert excess pressure if the body is not up to it. It is up to the physicians to educate the public on how both types of treatments can aid and benefit the patient to help the healing process.

Osteopathy has been in recent years one of the more popular types of treatment. This could be to do with the fact that this type of treatment has its roots in medical knowledge and therefore people tend to trust it more than other alternative medicines.

It is important to go to a registered and licensed practitioner that has been accredited by the associated medical governing bodies. It is not advise to rely on this treatment solely and one must weight out the options before deciding. It is also important to consult your doctor or physician before any type of treatment is undertaken. You can find a local listing of osteopaths on the Internet.