Clinical Practice

Students, under supervision, are taken through the routines of holistic osteopathic examination and treatment of patients, applying their accumulated knowledge. A particular benefit of this approach is that the student takes his/her own patients, under supervision, through the treatment programme from consultation to discharge, so that reactions to treatment and its progress can be closely monitored. At each stage the student is encouraged to promote and develop reflective practice.

Clinical Osteopathy

Application of a range osteopathic techniques to treat varied patient morphology, conditions and special needs (e.g. pregnancy, sports, children, elderly, disability). Formulation of short and long treatment plans using the bio-medico-psycho-social model of healthcare. Indications and contra-indications to Osteopathic treatment. Specific and general principles of treatment. The clinical application of osteopathy in neuro-muscular and joint pathologies and conditions presenting in general practice including cardiac, respiratory, gastro-intestinal, genito-urinary, neurological, ENT, and post-operative conditions.

Osteopathic Diagnosis

The basis of osteopathic clinical examination including inspection, palpation and mobility testing, differential diagnosis of pain and spinal pathologies, diagnosis and interpretation of spinal lesions and X-ray findings.

Peripheral Mechanics

Clinical application of holistic osteopathy through an appreciation of the theory of peripheral joint mechanics. The principles and definitions of mechanics as applied to Osteopathy. An overview of motion characteristics of the peripheral joints. Structure of the peripheral joints and the associated muscle and ligamentous structure and function. The biomechanics of the shoulder complex, elbow complex, wrist and hand complex, hip joint, knee complex, the ankle and foot. Consideration of normal and abnormal posture and gait.