Osteopathy is a form of physical medicine that helps reinstate the structural balance of the musculoskeletal system. Combining joint manipulation, physical therapy, and postural reeducation, osteopathy is effective in treating spinal and joint difficulties, arthritis, digestive disorders, menstrual problems, and chronic pain.

  Osteopathy considers and treats the patient as a whole rather than narrowly focusing on a specific sickness. According to Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., of London, England, the most fundamental aspects of osteopathy are diagnosis of structural problems within the musculoskeletal system and corresponding manipulative treatment. Doctors of osteopathy believe that the structure of the body is intimately related to its function, and that both structure and function are subject to a wide range of disorders. In treating patients, osteopaths apply various forms of physical manipulation which allow the body's innate self-healing mechanism to operate more efficiently.

  Although osteopathy is very effective in treating pain and chronic illness, it typically looks for the deeper causes underlying serious health conditions. For example,  osteopathy views coronary heart disease as having a musculoskeletal component, and with the appropriate manipulation substantial benefits can result.