The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) defines osteopathy as:
“a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. It works with the structure and function of the body and is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues functioning smoothly together.”
A functional osteopath needs to have an understanding of the structure and functional mechanisms of the body, using anatomical, physiological and psychological components to bring the dog together as a ‘whole’ to enable treatment to initiate the dog’s own body to begin healing.
Understanding metabolic processes and the systemic function of the body and how it works together enables the therapist to help support the body in recovering from a dysfunction. Disease is often a consequence of the dysfunction and by iniating equilibrium in form and function will allow the body to regain strengh and health.