Osteopathy not only offers a wide range of approaches to health promotion and maintenance, but also in accompanying the disease.

The human being is a functional dynamic unit, the state of health is influenced by body, mind and spirit;

The body possesses mechanisms of self-regulation and natural self-curation;

Structure and function are interrelated at all levels of the human body.

In this context, osteopaths incorporate current medical and scientific knowledge in the application of osteopathic principles in patient care. Osteopates recognize that clinical signs and symptoms of each patient are the consequences of the interaction of many physical and non-physical factors. The emphasis is placed on the dynamic interrelation of these factors and on the importance of the therapist-patient relationship in the therapeutic process. The form of health care is about focusing on the patient, rather than focusing on the disease.

Structural diagnosis and osteopathic manipulative treatment are the essential components of osteopathy. Osteopathic manipulative treatment was developed as a means to facilitate normal mechanisms of self-regulation/self-curation of the body, addressing areas of tension, stress or disorder in tissue, which can prevent normal neural, vascular and biochemical mechanisms.

The practical application of this approach is based on several structure-function relationship models described below. Osteopates use them to collect and structure diagnostic information and to interpret the meaning of neuro-muscular-skeletal findings for the general health of the patient. Osteopathy is not limited, therefore, to the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the locomotor system, nor does it emphasise the alignment of joints and the radiological evidence of structural relations. Osteopathy is more interested in the way in which the biomechanics of the muscle-skeletal system integrates and supports the physiology of the entire body.

Although manual techniques are used by various professions in manipulative therapies, the only way osteopathic manipulation techniques are integrated into patient management, as well as the duration, frequency and choice of technique, are distinctive aspects of osteopathy. Osteopathic manual treatment employs many types of manipulation techniques, including the spine and impulse techniques, as well as soft techniques.

Structure-function relationship models.

Five main models of structure-function relationships guide osteopates in the approach to diagnosis and treatment. These models are often used in combination to provide a framework for interpreting the meaning of somatic dysfunction within the context of objective and subjective clinical information. The chosen combination is adapted to the differential diagnosis of the patient, to comorbidities, to other therapeutic regimens and to the response to treatment.

The biomechanical structure-function model.

The biomechanical model considers the body as an integration of somatic components that are related as a mechanism for posture and balance. Ibalances or stress within this mechanism can affect dynamic function, increase energy expenditure, alter proprioception (the proper sense of the relative position and movement of the neighboring parts of the body), change the structure of the joints, prevent neurovascular function and alter metabolism. This model applies therapeutic approaches, including manipulative osteopathic techniques, to allow the restoration of posture and balance and efficient use of musculoskeletal components.

The structure-respiratory/circulatory function model.

The respiratory / circulatory model is interested in the maintenance of the extracellular and intracellular environment through the unrestricted supply of oxygen and nutrients, and in the elimination of cellular waste products. Stress in tissues or other factors that interfere with the flow or circulation of any body fluid may affect tissue health. This model applies therapeutic approaches, including manipulative osteopathic techniques, to deal with dysfunction of respiratory mechanics, circulation and flow of body fluids.

The neurological structure-function model.

The neurological model considers the influence of spinal facilitation, proprioceptive function, the autonomous nervous system and the activity of nociceptors (the pain fibers) on the function of the neuroendocrine immune network. The relationship between somatic and visceral systems (self-employed) is of particular importance.

This model applies therapeutic approaches, including osteopathic manipulation techniques, to reduce stress or mechanical stress, balance neural information and reduce or eliminate harmful conduction.

The structure-function model bio-psychosocial

The bio-psychosocial model recognizes the various reactions and psychological stress that can affect the health and well-being of patients. These include environmental, socioeconomic, cultural, physiological and psychological factors that can influence the disease. This model applies therapeutic approaches, including osteopathic manipulation techniques, to deal with the effects and reactions of different types of bio-psychosocial stress.

The bio-energetic structure-function model.

The bio-energetic model recognizes that the body tries to maintain a balance between production, distribution and energy expenditure. Maintaining this balance helps the body in its ability to adapt to different stress factors (immunological, nutritional, psychological, etc.) This model applies therapeutic approaches, including osteopathic manipulation techniques, to address factors that have potential to deregulate energy production, distribution or expenditure.