For the osteopath, therefore, the physical integrity of the whole body is seen as one of the most important factors in health and disease. Rather than bone specialists, osteopaths are in fact masters in the biomechanics of the human machine. In this respect, they have a similar language. The greatest differences, however, lie in the way patients are evaluated and in the approach to treatment. As a general rule, the orthodox medical approach focuses on the end product of the problem that is, on the illness.
Treatment aims to redress the balance by giving drugs or carrying out surgery.
Osteopaths focus on tracing the changes in function that have occurred over a period of time. This is in order to try to understand the chain of events that have altered the relationship between structure and function, resulting in the present complaint. He cries bitterly and complains of pain over his sacrum for a week or so. A kiss and rub it better console him. During a sudden growth spurt as a teenager, the same boy complains of low back ache.