Osteopathy is essentially a manipulating therapy, because treatment in this mode of science is based on the theory that most of the ailments are due to structural abnormalities of the body and can be cured by proper manipulation of the muscles in the affected parts.
Osteopathy has been brought to the fore only recently, when, in 1965, newspapers in England and India were filled with the sensational revelations of the British beauty, Miss Christine Keeler and her relationship with the (then) British Defence Minister, Lord Profumo and many bigwigs amid the exciting goings-on in the English county, called Clivedon.
The facade behind the Christine enticements turned out to be the osteopathic treatment courses by a Dr. Stephen Ward. While the political fall out of the event was the exit of many a frontline politician, the enduring spin-off led to Osteopathy becoming well-known as the possible key to cure the new forms of modern ills generated by the modern-day urban life of ease and comfort.
In an article on Osteopathy by J. Radhakrishnan, carried by The Hindustan Times of January 13, 1982, it is stated that Osteopathy is nothing new. It is as old as Shushrut, who lived before Christ. He called this ‘asthi-chikitsa’ (treatment by manipulation of the ailing part with fingers).
“His mere touch is enough to cure” — this is how some doctors of Osteopathy are praised. This is no exaggeration. The importance of hands cannot be denied for the Osteopath. An Osteopath’s hands are his instruments. Hands can console, communicate and inspire hope.
Osteopathy has its own glorious story and quite impressive. In ages past, an Indian ruler is said to have suffered from a severe back-ache. He turned, tossed and rolled in bad because of the severity of pain.
He would not allow anybody to touch him. This went on in spite of the best ministrations of the royal physician. Awards for the treatment were announced, but none came forward to cure the king. Ultimately a physician arrived form far-off and he ordered the royal horse to be kept without food or water for four days.
The horse was, then, brought to the king, who after some persuasion, was asked to mount it. The thirsty animal noticed water in a ditch and galloped towards it. As he bent his head to drink, the king gripped hard to save himself from falling. In the process, the king’s back clicked—and he was cured.
Not legend alone. There are two reported cases involving historic personalities. Napoleon Bonaparte generally enjoyed good health. But one day he suffered from violent lumbago.
After check-up the court physician asked Napoleon to disrobe and lie across a table. He then administered a sound and well-aimed slap on the hips of Napoleon.
The stunned Napoleon turned in fury and, during that sudden movement, the painful contracture of the lumbar muscles mercifully disappeared. The painful lumbago was gone and the emperor Napoleon pardoned the insolence of the celebrated physician.
Another European potentate of recent history, Adolf Hitler, is known to have suffered regularly from severe body pain. This could be relieved only by Osteopathic treatment. And so, an Osteopath was always accompanying Hitler, even during visits to war fronts.
If Osteopathy had treated such known historical figures, like Napoleon and Hitler, why then Osteopath had not received due recognition and wide practice. The reason is obvious.
Till recently people had different opinions about the Osteopath and those who practised it. Why manipulation cure attracted criticism and scepticism, is that it was being done by lay manipulators, with no proper scientific knowledge.
Osteopathy received recognition towards the end of 19th century and since then it has had haphazard growth.