What is Osteopathy?
"A system of therapy founded by Andrew Taylor Still (1828 - 1917) and based on the theory that the body is capable of making its own remedies against disease and other toxic conditions when it is in normal structural relationship and has favourable environmental conditions and adequate nutrition. It utilizes generally accepted physical, medicinal, and surgical methods of diagnosis and therapy, while placing chief emphasis on the importance of normal body mechanics and manipulative methods of detecting and correcting faulty structure." (Dorland's Medical Dictionary, 28th Ed, 1994)
Osteopathy is a system of manual medicine that uses a wide variety of "hands-on" techniques to treat conditions affecting the body's musculo-skeletal system and its organs.
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Osteopathy was founded in America in the 1870's by Andrew Taylor Still, a medical doctor of the period, and has developed to the point where it is one of the most widely used and accepted therapies in use today. Although often regarded as a "complementary" therapy, osteopathy is widely accepted by the medical community - indeed osteopaths in the USA are also licensed medical practitioners. In Australia, osteopathy is currently one of the fastest growing of all the therapeutic professions. Osteopaths in Australia are government-registered practitioners of manual medicine, and are classed as "primary care practitioners," meaning that you do not need a referral to consult one. Australian osteopaths currently undergo five years of full-time university level training, which, in addition to the study of osteopathic technique, includes study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical diagnosis and management, biochemistry, radiology, pharmacology, nutrition, psychology and exercise prescription. The training also includes supervised practice in university teaching clinics such as the clinic here at Victoria University. |
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What techniques do osteopaths use?
Victoria University is currently one of only three universities in Australia offering a five-year, full-time program in osteopathy. The programme is located at 301 Flinders Lane, in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, a short walk from Flinders St Station.
The University's programme is accredited by the Osteopaths' Registration Board of Victoria, and graduates are eligible for registration in all Australian states and territories as well as in New Zealand. Completion of the programme may also allow graduates to practice in Europe. During the course, students are encouraged to take electives in Australia and overseas.
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Osteopathy at Victoria University is run by professionals (7 full-time and 7 part-time), in addition to 22 practitioners and educators who provide their expertise as lecturers, tutors and clinicians. The Unit is also actively involved in research. The Unit has excellent teaching and clinical facilities, including the fully equipped Health Sciences Teaching Clinic which provides treatment to students, staff and the general public. |
