Structure and Function of the body are tightly interwoven, and a full Osteopathic examination includes an investigation into the presenting complaint and a detailed history of the patient’s life circumstances, so as to gain an understanding of the forces and environmental stressors acting on the body.
Structural observation as well as examination of many functional movement patterns, skin signs, vitals and so forth are undertaken in order to gain an understanding of where and how treatment should be directed. This is usually includes, but is not limited to musculoskeletal hands-on treatment.
Osteopathy aims to remove the obstacles to the body finding balance and health, and to facilitate the natural trajectory towards health that is innate to a balanced system.