Is Osteopathy a bit like Kenesiology, Reflexology and chiropractic?

[Angelhil]

Was trying to get some sense out of "Lightning" the other day but it just descended into name calling. The things I find on line claim that it can treat health and disease by manipulating skeleton and muscle. Sounds a lot like other rubbish AltMed to me. But he insists its as legitimate as physio therapy which only claims to treat mobility issues directly related to muscle/bone. help?
Mr E: rubbish argument.
Nice one Lightning/Dave. I blocked you when you stopped me from answering your questions because I thought it would be funny that you'd see your name in the title but not be able to see the question. Also It's funny because you have clearly lost the plot. chill it's only the internet. xx
@Lightning/Dave. no not you Dave the other Dave. When you grow up and unblock me, I will do the same. simple

 

[DrDan]

depends on the country. I personally wouldn't go to a chiro or osteo anywhere but the US. In the states, an osteo is closer to an MD than anything else.

 

[LillyB]

Osteopathy is like chiropractic but not like kinesiology or reflexology. It's great for backs and related joint/muscle issues. It is way more effective than physiotherapy. Unless you have experience of these treatments then your opinions on them don't have any currency.

 

[Dave]

Many osteopaths are as lost in the wilderness as any other altie. Try this quote from the British Institute of Osteopathy as they struggle to understand basic microbiology:

"Germs are made by your body in an effort to clear up a messy environment. Once this has been achieved they will automatically disappear again."

http://www.british-institute-of-osteopathy.org/articles/origin_germs.aspx

!!!

Lightning does struggle with the basics that you'd think any health professional should know, such as epidemiology and correlation/causation. Of course, correct scientific understanding is unnecessary in an occupation where you rely on placebo and 'regression to the mean' to keep your customers coming back. I think he mentioned once that if he had any concerns then he refers them to a GP (how he's qualified to assess this I've no idea), so I don't think he's as deluded as some on here who think they can treat serious diseases.

There's only 2 universities in the UK offering a BSc in Osteopathy, but given that the number of homeopathy BSc's have declined in the UK from 5 to 0 in only 2 years (http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1329) osteopathy might not be far behind.

Edit: Wow Lightning, I'm so honoured that you want to be me! Follow in my footsteps and you may learn something yet, Grasshopper.

Actually, as accredited places are becoming less, there's all manner of dubious institutions taking it up (as befits its marginal credibility). Lemme know if you want a "PhD in Osteopathy" from Dave's 100% Kosher School of Alt Med", I can cut you a nice deal!

 

[Gary Y]

I think its probably not so black and white; a bit like chiro, there a good elements and not so good elements. The Quackwatch article is quite good: http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/QA/osteo.html

But crikey, the British Institute of Osteopathy doesn't have a good handle on germ theory!