Osteopaths Manipulate The Spine

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy was coined from Osteo, which means bone, and pathy which means therapy. Late Dr. Andre Taylor Steel an anatomist first used this word in America in the 1800's. Dr. little John a Briton who studied physiology worked with him then. Osteopath simply means treatment of the body purely by manipulation, but not wholly manipulation, since we sometimes go against it because it's not all joints that should be manipulated. This does not mean that we are against taking drugs. Osteopathy is treatment of disease through the care of the muscles, joints and bones by manipulation.

Does an Osteopath cure all diseases or just some specific one's?

One can visit a certified Osteopath with any health complain/disease because they are trained in medicine but specialized in manipulative treatment. It is in the ambit of the Osteopath if he knows his job, to refer a case that he cannot handle to the right channel.

Do Osteopaths administer herbal product in their practice?

We can actually, but we are not trained to give herbal medicine, but during the course of our association with herbal practitioners, we can recognize them and also send patient to them, that is, if we consider them as those who can help the patient.

How does manipulation treat pains?

Mainly the treatment of patient through manipulation is directed to the spine. For example, if one holds a hot substance, the first reaction is to drop it. At this level, the anatomy of that level means that there is a nerve at the spinal cord which transfers the massage to the brain after about 3 seconds or thereabout. Therefore it indicates that the first reaction, which is defense, was triggered at the level of the spinal cord. This is the level at which an osteopath functions, particularly for diseases of visceral (internal part) and the muscular part too. Osteopaths manipulate the spine because every part of us is connected to the spine some how.

Can manipulation of the body be termed as massaging?

No, massage means just using your physical effort to help the circulatory part of the body. We massage, but it is called soft tissue work instead. This is the first thing we do to relax the muscles and improve blood circulation in that area.
Does these implies that Osteopath concentrate just on the spine.
The Osteopath work on all the joint of the body, but when he works on the spine, his aim is to affect the spinal cord, which connects all organs of the body. We help patients with shoulder problem (frozen shoulder), or arthritis of any kind. The osteopath has excelled in diseases of the back because it appears that they are best known for that since it relates to waist problem.  Osteopath are not without limitations, so whenever such occur, we refer the patient to the right quarters.

How many Osteopaths do we have in Nigeria at the moment?

Am sad to say that I am the only one at the moment. Formally, the late Dr. Magnus A. Daudu who died few years ago was the second Osteopath. After his death, I tried training two persons, but they where not patient enough to complete their training.
 This is lamentable, a reason why I have asked the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to probably indulge in sending or asking some doctor from the British school of Osteopathy where I trained who are ready to help if the terms are right for exchange or sending their tutors here.

What are the challenges in this field?

My challenge is to have more Osteopaths. I look forward to when government would sponsor some people to train as Osteopaths. But until then, I am still up to the task.

Dr. Oluwole Olufemi Bankole a certified Osteopath is the Managing Director, Osteopathy clinic. He spoke with Anna Iyeye on roles/functions of Osteopath in healthcare management system and his major challenges as the only Nigerian Osteopath