Dean Zekis
Question 1, What osteopathy is?
Osteopathy is a holistic biomechanical manual discipline. It started with combining medicine with engineering concepts.
In 1874 Dr Andrew Taylor Still. A medical surgeon with a passion for engineering, realized every joint in engineering
exists in the human body; hinged, sliding, gliding, rolling, pivot, ball and socket.
The body is a complex series of cables and straps designed for moving and supporting the skeletal system, this also
correlates with the function of organs and the circulation of fluids. Which of course is regulated by the autonomic
nervous system.
Structure governs function. & Rule of the artery.
Osteopathy is a primary care medical study utilizing all latest medical knowledge and standards.
Question 2, Its role in treatment.
Understanding the inner workings of spinal laws, mechanical fulcrums, loads and forces, agonist and antagonist.
Prepares the practitioner in dealing with mechanical injuries, and various pathologies.
The main ingredient in any injury is the dysfunction in the tissue involved. And the compensatory patterns it creates.
This make osteopathy very effective, in quickly resolving pain, and restoring function.
Question 3. When is osteo most suitable.
When the injury has a mechanical derangement, and pain is local or referred. Ie neck or back injury, any joint injury,
tendonitis, bursitis, repetitive strain, neurological weakness.
Acute pain in a fresh injury, subacute, and or chronic conditions that aren't resolving with other forms of
treatment and management.
You may decide to try osteopathy to restore function and then, implement your rehabilitation plan.
Not suitable in accidents that involve sutures, infections, or psychological disturbances.
Question 4. And how many sessions may be appropriate.
In acute pain, 3 to 6 sessions will restore function and reduce pain.
In sub acute problems between 3 to 6 months. The injury is becoming more established, therefore 3 to 6 sessions,
for function, and 3 to 6 sessions for a personalized exercise program to be implemented.
In chronic conditions any injury persisting or taken over 6 months, to get treated, is more complex and involves
a holistic approach due to the compensatory factors re-establishing the injury.
This will most probably require between 10 to 20 sessions, then incorporating our exercise physiologist to assist
in restoring muscular imbalances, such as chronic spasm, or neurogenic induced muscular atonia.
The key to successful resolution of an injury, is early intervention, accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment plan.
And positive encouragement to return to work. Of course re-education not to re-injure.
And observing them after returning to work for another 4 sessions.
Osteopathically we do not advocate muscle strengthening during acute pain, rather settling down over firing nervous
system, and switching off guarding muscular fibers. After the acute phase we prefer lengthening soft tissue,
and last ending up with a strengthening program.
Example; Therefore on average a worker with a serious disc bulge, with sciatic referred pain, and with or with out
numbness to big toe. who might be a surgical candidate. Would first receive 6 structural spinal and pelvic alignment
sessions. 6 flexibility sessions, and 6 strengthening sessions. Hopefully full recovery and a further 6 sessions to
maintain integrity during transition of returning to work.
That's our osteopathic approach on work injury, further information on actual treatment we use, can vary from soft tissue
massage, muscular and joint mobilization, spinal and joint manipulation, isotonic, and isometric muscular toning.
Flexibility to restore range of motion, strengthening to do with range of motion. we also use ultrasound, T.E.N.S,
EMS (electromuscle stimulation), somatic acupuncture.
We can supply any type of supportive brace, and strapping. Customized Orthotic therapy, customized shoes, natural
joint creams, and herbal anti-inflammatories, anti-spasmodics, muscle relaxants.
The South Terrace Health Centre is in Punchbowl, and comprises of three osteopaths, a physiotherapist, a exercise
physiologist, a podiatrist, a remedial masseur, and a clinical psychologist for pain management.
Thank you for the opportunity in sharing with you our vision in helping restore health to the worker.
Dr Dean Zekis Osteopath.
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