osteopathy
The type of alternative medicine which manipulates the body`s muscle tissues, joints and bones.
- Definition
Osteopaths provide therapeutic treatment of disorders in the musculoskeletal system to patients with physical issues such as back pain, joint pain and digestive disorders. They mainly use manipulation of the body tissues, touch, stretching and massage techniques to relieve the patients` pain and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Competences and skills
48 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 6 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competenceCross-sector
5 competenceshealth care legislation
The patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.
health care occupation-specific ethics
The moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patient confidentiality.
musculoskeletal anatomy
The human musculoskeletal system, comprising of the skeleton, muscles, cartilage, tendons, joints and other connective tissue that supports and binds tissues and organs together. The human musculoskeletal system's primary functions, such as supporting the body, allowing motion, and protecting vital organs.
scientific research methodology
The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
therapeutic massage
Massage techniques used to relieve pain and alleviate other symptoms associated with a number of different medical conditions.
Essential skills and competences 20 competences
Occupation specific
3 competencesconduct gross examination of tissues
Examine the diseased tissues with the naked eye, or with the help of a magnifying glass or stereo microscope.
develop osteopathic treatment plans
Develop new osteopathic treatment plans and review existing components such as osteopathic manual therapy, manual therapy of soft tissue and other tissue, therapeutic range of motion, therapeutic rehabilitative exercise and the application of technological equipment (ultrasound, traction, electrical and light modalities).
provide osteopathic diagnosis
Provide a diagnosis and an inter-disciplinary or osteopathic treatment/management plan by performing an interview, working with patients to identify physical problems and difficulties resulting from illness, injury, disability or aging and by performing an examination.
Sector-specific
11 competencesapply person-centred care
Treat individuals as partners in planning, developing and assessing care, to make sure it is appropriate for their needs. Put them and their caregivers at the heart of all decisions.
develop therapeutic relationships
Maintain the individual therapeutic relationship to engage the individual's innate healing capacities, to achieve active collaboration in the health education and healing process and to maximise the potential of healthy change.
diagnose musculoskeletal conditions
Identify the patient`s orthopaedic injuries such as fractures, dislocations, torn ligaments, sprains, and strains, tendon injuries, pulled muscles, ruptured disks, sciatica, low back pain, and scoliosis, arthritis and osteoporosis, bone tumours, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy, club foot and unequal leg length, abnormalities of the fingers and toes and growth abnormalities.
ensure safety of healthcare users
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
follow-up on healthcare users' treatment
Review and evaluate the progress of the prescribed treatment, taking further decisions with the healthcare users and their carers.
maintain treatment records
Keep accurate records and file reports related to the prescribed treatment or medication.
monitor patients' progress related to treatment
Observe and report on healthcare users' response to medical treatment, monitoring their progress or decay on a daily basis and modifying the treatment procedures whenever necessary.
prescribe treatment for musculoskeletal injuries
Prescribe non-invasive procedures for injuries, immobilising fractured bones with the use of braces, splints, and casts and recommending therapeutic exercises, medication and nutritional supplements.
record healthcare users' progress related to treatment
Record the healthcare user's progress in response to treatment by observing, listening and measuring outcomes.
undertake healthcare examination
Assess the healthcare user's physical state, taking detailed information on previous injuries, surgery, general health, resources and lifestyle into account.
work in multidisciplinary health teams
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
Cross-sector
6 competencesapply deep tissue massage
Apply precise techniques and pressures to bring changes to specific tissue layers in the body.
comply with legislation related to health care
Comply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.
contribute to the rehabilitation process
Contribute to the rehabilitation process to enhance activity, functioning and participation using a person-centered and evidence-based approach.
empathise with the healthcare user
Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.
listen actively
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
provide health education
Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
Optional knowledge 12 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
3 competencesdietetics
The human nutrition and dietary modification for optimising health in clinical or other environments. The role of nutrition in promoting health and preventing illness across the life spectrum.
- Scope note
- Should not be confused with nutritionists who apply knowledge of nutrition in community, industrial and research environments.
endocrinology
Endocrinology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
food science
The study of the physical, biological, and chemical makeup of food and the scientific concepts underlying food processing and nutrition.
Cross-sector
9 competencesbiomechanics
The use of mechanical means to understand the function and structure of biological organisms.
first aid
The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.
general medicine
General medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
human anatomy
The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
human physiology
The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.
kinetics
The study of movement and its causes.
neurology
Neurology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
orthopaedics
Orthopaedics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
pharmacology
Pharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Optional skills and competences 10 competences
Occupation specific
1 competencetake and analyse blood pressure
Take blood pressure of a patient and interpret the test result by using medical equipment such as a blood pressure monitor.
Sector-specific
7 competencescollect healthcare user's general data
Collect qualitative and quantitative data related to the healthcare user's anagraphic data and provide support on filling out the present and past history questionnaire and record the measures/tests performed by the practitioner.
conduct physical examinations
Conduct physical examination of healthcare users, looking for signs of dysfunction and sub-optimal function and analysing the patient`s systems, posture, spine and reflexes.
create a diet plan
Plan and implement a personalised diet plan to best improve an individual's body movement.
manage trauma through surgical means
Manage trauma such as musculoskeletal, hand, and head injuries, taking responsibility for all phases of care of the injured patient.
obtain healthcare user's medical status information
Gather healthcare user information through various sources such as questioning the healthcare user, caregiver, or healthcare professional to obtain information on the patient`s health and social status, and interpreting records made by other health care professionals when appropriate.
promote exercise programmes
Develop and apply strategies to motivate clients to engage in an exercise programme.
refer healthcare users
Make referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.
Cross-sector
2 competencesadvise on healthy lifestyles
Promote healthy lifestyles, preventive measures and self-care by strengthening empowerment, promoting health and enhancing behaviours and therapeutic compliance, providing patients with the adequate information in order to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments, medication and nursing care.
interact with healthcare users
Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.