Kolkata, Aug 22 (Bureau) Osteopathy, a holistic drug-free and non-invasive manual therapy that aims to improve overall health by working on the musculoskeletal framework, is gradually gaining traction in India, says an internationally known exponent of the alternative mode of treatment. Since its inception in the United States around one and a half centuries back, osteopathy has become a popular treatment in most of Europe, North America and Oceania, says Osteopath Juan Guillon. While there has been a few Europe-trained osteopaths practising in India in the past decades, it wasn’t until 2015 that formal education in osteopathy became an option in the country, through the undergraduate and postgraduate programs at Sri Sri University, Odisha.
“Today there are around 100 formally trained osteopaths in the country, most of them graduates from that university, ” said Guillon. According to him, as awareness of osteopathy gradually spreads in India, patients seeking alternative treatments find in it a non-invasive and comprehensive approach to health. “Osteopathic treatment, with its orientation towards restoring function and balance in the various bodily systems, serves in the management of most chronic conditions as well as in prevention and wellbeing, ” Guillon told UNI after the launch of a state-of-the-art osteopathy Clinic at CMRI, Kolkata. The treatment aims to positively affect the body’s nervous, circulatory, and lymphatic systems by emphasising the body’s structure and functional relationship.
“It can treat chronic and acute conditions and can also prevent chronic disorders by boosting the body’s natural healing processes. Techniques include applying gentle pressure, stretching, and resistance, ” said Guillon. Sombrata Roy, Unit Head, CMRI, said the aim of osteopathy is not only to address biomechanical, postural, and musculoskeletal issues but also help identify other factors that can be addressed to reduce chronic pain and increase function. “Osteopathy treatments are supported by a growing body of research demonstrating their effectiveness in addressing various musculoskeletal conditions and promoting overall well-being, ” he said.