Principles
The osteopathic medical philosophy is defined as the concept of health care that embraces the concept of the unity of the living organism’s structure (anatomy) and function (physiology). The four major principles of osteopathic medicine are:
- The body is an integrated unit of mind, body, and spirit.
- The body possesses self-regulatory mechanisms, having the inherent capacity to defend, repair, and remodel itself.
- Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
- Rational therapy is based on consideration of the first three principles.
These principles are not held by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine to be empirical laws; they serve, rather, as the underpinnings of the osteopathic philosophy on health and disease.
Read more about this topic: Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
Famous quotes containing the word principles:
“Custom is our nature.... What are our natural principles but principles of custom?”
—Blaise Pascal (1623–1662)
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—Gerald R. Ford (b. 1913)
“The principles which men give to themselves end by overwhelming their noblest intentions.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)