Osteopathy is a healthcare profession focused on the individual, complementary to traditional medicine. It is a manual therapy aimed at identifying somatic dysfunctions, restoring proper mobility of body structures, and improving the function of systems and organs by harnessing the body’s natural ability to self-heal.

Thanks to its gentle and non-invasive approach, osteopathy is suitable for people of all ages. Infants, children, adolescents, pregnant women, and the elderly can benefit from it, as it helps treat various functional disorders in a natural way. Through targeted manual techniques, this discipline allows for the identification, relief, and prevention of dysfunctions involving muscles, joints, and tissues. In addition to specific treatment, osteopathy encourages the adoption of healthy habits and promotes collaboration with other health professionals, thus offering a comprehensive approach to overall well-being.

During the first osteopathic visit, it is important to bring all available medical documentation, such as blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or laboratory tests. This information helps the osteopath gain a complete understanding of the patient’s health and to more accurately determine the most suitable treatment. If necessary, additional specific tests may be requested.
The appointment begins with a thorough medical history, during which various questions are asked—some of which may not seem directly related to the main issue. However, this information is essential for identifying possible underlying causes of the problem.
Next, a functional assessment is carried out, including targeted tests to analyze posture, mobility, and any muscle tension. This step allows for a personalized therapeutic approach tailored to each patient’s specific needs.

In general, osteopathic treatments are painless. However, depending on the situation, there may be slight discomfort, but nothing excessive. It is important to immediately communicate any sensation of discomfort to the osteopath, who will adjust the manual techniques according to the treatment goals. Remember that every disorder is a subjective experience, and in any case, the patient’s physical and psychological limits are always respected.

Contraindications are assessed during the first osteopathic visit, which focuses on functional medicine. In general, treatments are excluded in cases of serious anatomical injuries or when there are medical emergencies that require intervention by traditional medicine to treat the condition. Except for these cases, osteopathy can help restore health without the risk of unwanted side effects.

During osteopathic treatments, you may hear noises or pops similar to a "crack." This sound, known as the cavitation effect, is caused by the formation and rapid collapse of gas bubbles present between adjacent bone structures. It is a natural physiological reaction that occurs during joint manipulation. There is no reason to worry, as it does not involve any risk or pain, provided the treatment is performed by a qualified professional.

Each patient has a unique medical history and, consequently, the osteopathic approach must be personalized according to their specific needs. However, in general, it is always recommended to have osteopathic check-ups even in the absence of obvious symptoms. These check-ups can be useful for preventing injuries, discomfort, or imbalances that may develop over time, thus keeping the body in balance and promoting optimal health.

Generally, the first few sessions are enough to get feedback from your body, as everyone responds differently to the treatments received. The osteopath identifies problems by searching for the causes of symptoms, often using methods and techniques that other disciplines cannot, and by collaborating with other professionals, it is possible to resolve the issue.

Both disciplines are based on manual practice, but this is their only common point. The main difference is that the chiropractor works only in the articular field and treats interferences at the vertebral level, while the osteopath guides the body toward self-healing and the rebalancing of vital functions. Osteopathy also has preventive purposes aimed at consolidating physical balance and intervenes not only in the osteo-articular area, but also in the cranio-sacral area (connection between the skull, spine, and sacrum) and the visceral area (actions on the mobility of the visceral organs).