Far from being simply a sequence of techniques, as practised in many countries osteopathy is an independent primary health care system based on principles applied through a manual practice: a unique profession that takes care of the whole person through the application of five models (biomechanical, neurological, respiratory-circulatory, metabolic, and behavioral). These conceptual models of the relationship between structure and function allow osteopaths to evaluate treatment with the aim of promoting health rather than curing disease. This book is intended as a manual for both students and osteopathic professionals interested in exploring the principles, objectives, origins and application of the five osteopathic models, from traditional concepts up to a modern vision, based on evidence and critical thinking. The selection criteria and rules for the application of each model, with their limitations and potential, are examined, to enable the reader to understand the rationale behind their use in a comprehensive, holistic and patient-centered practice.
Raymond J. Hruby, DO, MS FAAO (Dist), graduated from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1973. After a variety of clinical and academic posts, in 1999 he became professor and chair of the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pomona, California. He recently "retired" from this position, but continues his work at Western University as a consultant to the Department of NMM/OMM. In this capacity he is involved with teaching, research, curriculum analysis and development, and mentoring of new faculty and Predoctoral OMM Fellows. He is also involved with Western University's Interprofessional Education program, and he lectures part-time in the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences, among others. Paolo Tozzi MSc Ost, DO, PT Is Principal of the First Italian School of Veterinary Osteopathy, Vice-Principal of the Italian Association of Posturologists, former Treasurer of the Osteopathic European Academic Network (OsEAN), and former Vice Principal of CROMON, the Centre for Holistic Research in Osteopathy and Natural Medicine, Rome. He lectures widely on osteopathy, biomechanics and manual therapy, and organized the first international congress on veterinary osteopathy (Rome 2012). Christian Lunghi works as an osteopath and naturopath in Rome and Bracciano (Italy). He is a member of the Italian Advisory Board of the Centre for Osteopathic Medicine Collaboration foundation (COME), and a member of the Research Committee and of the National Examining Board of the Italian Register of Osteopaths (ROI). He lectures on osteopathic clinical reasoning and on the rationale of osteopathic medicine. He is author and co-author of publications in indexed journals and co-author of a chapter in Fascia in the Osteopathic Field, also published by Handspring Publishing. Giampiero Fusco is a physiotherapist and an osteopath. He teaches widely in Italy on both undergraduate and masters programmes in osteopathy. He is a member of the Research Committee of the Italian Register of Osteopaths, and has spoken at various national and international conferences. His work has been published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.
SECTION I PERSON-CENTERED OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Chapter 1 Osteopathy: a practice based on tradition, research, critical thinking and art Chapter 2 Adaptive local response: somatic dysfunction Chapter 3 General adaptation syndrome: biological fluids, involuntary rhythms and fascial compensation schemes SECTION II THE OSTEOPATHIC MODELS Chapter 4 The biomechanical model Chapter 5 The neurological model Chapter 6 The respiratory-circulatory model Chapter 7 The metabolic-energetic model Chapter 8 The behavioral-biopsychosocial model Chapter 9 Selection and integration of models in osteopathic treatment and management Index
