An Osteopathic Approach to Children [Hardcover]

An Osteopathic Approach to Children
Jane Carreiro
Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier
ISBN: 987 0 443 06738 9

If you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, then perhaps you should judge it by its preface. In the preface of Carriero's book she suggests;

`This book emphasizes the contribution of the neuromusculoskeletal system to health and disease, and as an extension to that, focuses on the role of manipulative treatment. However, the art of osteopathic medicine includes the ability to intuit the unspoken, be it emotional, cultural, psychological or spiritual that holds importance for the patient or family. It is the job of the physician to integrate these subtle and sometimes vague pieces of information, which the patient and his or her body are providing, with that which is scientifically known and understood. One type of information does not negate or diminish the value of the other. They dovetail to provide a more complete, a more unified picture of the individual. This book is an attempt to do just that'.

An Osteopathic Approach to Children presents a comprehensive overview of pediatric medicine from an osteopathic perspective. The existing reference textbooks of medical pediatrics and physical therapy may address selected orthopedic problems in children, but they are limited in scope by failing to include an holistic perspective. An Osteopathic Approach to Children has been written to remedy this situation, and does so clearly and with an excellent editorial overview. With the arrival of the 2ndedition, the topics covered are thoroughly updated to provide a comprehensive textbook and reference source, which deals specifically with the osteopathic treatment of children. ''
The book is divided into two main sections: The first part discusses the normal development, physiology and anatomy of the body systems from birth to adulthood; the second part explores the conditions and diseases of childhood and outlines the rationale for osteopathic treatment for each disorder. The range of illness described is broad and includes gastroenterology, ophthalmology, neurology and cerebral palsy. There is particularly well-written cover on orthopaedics, from Osgood-Schlatter diease which is common in the sporty or overweight child, to idiopathic scoliosis. ''This is probably the first pediatric text book to discuss clinical problems from the perspective of the interrelatedness of structure and function. This unique approach will make it an invaluable source of reference for all those interested in using an osteopathic approach to the treatment of children in their care. Clinicians and those working in primary care will find it an invaluable help in their efforts to provide safe and effective healthcare to children.

Members of the osteopathic profession have a hundred-year history of treating children using the manual application of osteopathic principles. Most of this information in the UK has been handed down through mentoring and lectures from experienced experts. Very little of this information is actually available to interested clinicians in published form at post graduate level. Authors and publishers who wish to contribute to the growing literature detailing the osteopathic approach to Medicine, can use Carreiro's book as a template for presenting their material with clarity and eloquence.

At the start of this review I quoted what I think is a fine attempt at transmitting the essence of the osteopathic approach. In defining her subject in this exceptional book, I believe the author has provided a lasting contribution to the osteopathic profession in general, and the subject of pediatrics in particular.

Donald Scott ND DO