DEFINITION

Osteopathic concepts focus on the following principles:

- In the pathological process, the body strives to self-regulate and self-heal through a complex system of balance.

- The human body is a unit in which structure and function are mutually and reciprocally interdependent.

Sensible treatment is based on this philosophy and its principles. It emphasises the concept of structure-function in its diagnostic and therapeutic approach using manual means.

Philosophie

The aim of Osteopathy is to diagnose and treat restrictions in the mobility of anatomical structures, which can hinder the body in its physiological functions. These restrictions of mobility, which impede the flow of information, are found in all systems of the body, in the musculoskeletal, digestive, vascular, nervous and excretory systems.

With his or her hands - both an analytical instrument and the main therapeutic tool - the osteopath restores movement to the tissues of these different systems and restores mobility to the joints, muscles, fascia and dynamics to the fluids.

It is a holistic, first-line treatment of the human body in which the practitioner integrates the reason for consultation.

The field of application of osteopathic medicine includes all stages of human life, from the newborn to the elderly, from the pregnant woman to the top athlete.

Osteopathy, a holistic and not only orthopaedic medicine, as the literal translation of its name indicates, was born in America in the 19th century. Its ingenious founder, Andrew Taylor Still, was one of the first to understand that the organism is a unit and that health depends on the functional balance of all the structures that make up the human body.

 Dr. Still, who had been practicing Osteopathy since 1874, quickly became known for the excellent results of his treatments, obtained appointments and laid the foundations for a therapy that would never cease to grow.

 In 1892, the first Osteopathic school was founded in Missouri. Today, there are sixteen University training centers in the United States and more than 38,000 DOs (Doctors of Osteopathy).

 At the beginning of the 20th century, William Garner Sutherland, a disciple of Andrew Taylor Still, entrusted his student, Dr. Harold Magoun, with the task of introducing Osteopathic medicine to Europe, where it has continued to develop ever since. Littlejohn, another student of Still, founded the first European School of Osteopathy (B.S.O.) in Great Britain. Osteopathy has thus spread on the Old Continent and has been fully recognised by royal decree in Great Britain since 1993. 

In Switzerland, since 2006, Osteopaths are recognised by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Health Directors (CDS) as health professionals working under their own professional responsibility.

The majority of cantons in Switzerland now recognise Osteopathy as a health profession in their public health laws. Authorisation to practice this profession is subject to obtaining an intercantonal diploma (CDS) or a recognised foreign equivalent diploma.

The consultation begins with a detailed medical history and includes:

- Reason for the consultation

- Clarification of the symptoms presented by the patient, their chronology and research of any events that may be associated with them.

- Clarification of the various physiological systems

- Personal history, diseases, injuries, surgeries, lifestyle and family history.

It is followed by a clinical and osteopathic examination:

- Observation of the patient, morphology and behaviour.

- Palpation, mobilisation and auscultation of the different tissues (muscles, bones, internal organs...), paying attention to the different signals associated with the symptoms described

- The realisation of specific osteopathic, neurological, cardiovascular, articular tests, etc.

The knowledge of paraclinical examinations (X-rays, laboratory) will allow the osteopath to better evaluate the person who comes to consult and to establish a differential diagnosis.

An osteopathic diagnosis is established on the basis of the information obtained from the history and the clinical examination. The treatment aims at restoring the tissues "in osteopathic lesions" in the search for harmony with a holistic vision of the patient.

With appropriate complimentary insurance, health insurance covers the cost of treatment in most cases. Please ask your insurance company directly about the conditions.

Please note, that any appointment not cancelled 24 hours in advance (on a business day) will be charged. 

WHEN IS THE TREATMENT RECOMMENDED?

The Spine

Low back pain, sciatica, scoliosis

Shoulder and neck pain, muscle tension, posture problems...

The Musculoskeletal System

Joint problems, sprains, tendonitis, whiplash injuries, tennis elbow, knee pain, muscle tension and other consequences of injuries...

Cranium and ENT system

Migraine, headaches, earaches, sinusitis, chronic middle ear infections, tinnitus, vertigo, trigeminal neuralgia, temporomandibular joint problems...

The Digestive System and Internal Medicine

Digestive disorders, functional intestinal disorders, hiatal hernias, heartburn, treatment of scars, functional heart disorders, kidney problems, prostate problems.

FOR BABIES

Treatment of typical functional disorders such as colic, regular vomiting, constipation, swallowing and sucking disorders, sleep disorders, hyperactivity. 

Mechanical disorders such as torticollis, cranial deformities or KISS syndrome, which may be due to a long and difficult birth.

FOR CHILDREN

Symptoms such as abdominal pain, digestive problems, headaches, recurrent middle ear infections, chronic lung disease. 

Scoliosis, malocclusions and orthodontic problems. 

In addition, treatment is recommended after a fall or a serious accident to prevent functional problems.

Osteopathy is recognised as a health profession. The Swiss Conference of Sanitary Directors SDK has organised an intercantonal Osteopathy exam. Those who pass the exam are allowed to practise Osteopathy throughout Switzerland (www.gdk-cds.ch).

 1994 - 2001: Ecole Suisse d'Osteopathie, Belmont-sur-Lausanne (Switzerland). Five years of full-time training and one year of internship. Diploma in Osteopathy D.O.

2001 - 2002: Institut d'Enseignement de l'Ostéopathie du Quebec, Montreal, (Canada). Diploma in Osteopathy D.O. in Canada. Member of the Quebec Osteopathic Society.

2002 - …Opening of own practice in Zurich. Work in all areas of Osteopathy with infants and adults.

2011: Passed the Swiss intercantonal osteopath examination. Recognised Osteopath according to Swiss standards. www.gdk-cds.ch

2013 - 2018: Practice in Lugano.

Member of:

Swiss Association of Osteopaths: www.osteopathes-suisses.ch

 World Osteopathic Health Organization: www.woho.org

Cédric CourvoisIer

Rue de la Poste 23

1936 Verbier

+41 78 212 66 76

courvoisier@osteo.ch