Asia-Pacific Osteopathic Association
China/Hong Kong
The Status of Osteopathy:
Osteopathy as a Health Service
The cost effectiveness of osteopathy is higher when compared to conventional treatment. However, not many patients benefit from osteopathic treatment in Hong Kong and Mainland China as proper osteopathic training is not available in these areas at the time being and most of the therapists try to integrate different techniques in their practice and they mostly save their time for diagnosis (comprehensive examination) before treatment.
Status of Recognition
Overseas osteopaths are not yet recognized by the medical system and so far no insurance coverage provides for osteopathic services. Also, not many people are willing to pay the higher cost for osteopathic treatment. Medical doctors and physiotherapists know little about osteopathic manipulation. Referrals are mostly by word of mouth and community events.
Actually, some osteopathic techniques are already included in the curriculum of manual therapy in Hong Kong and Mainland China universities and institutes. However, most of the students have not gotten a chance to learn the principles of osteopathy. Most of the students found this brand-new science is somehow different from conventional treatment.
They found that forceful or high velocity techniques are not always effective in postural or pain management (especially those employing acupuncture together with traditional Chinese massage for a long time). They can’t believe some critical problems can be managed by simple and soft osteopathic techniques. They are amazed by the principle of craniosacral osteopathy.
This would change the point of view of those manual therapists when handling children, babies, the elderly, pregnancy and ladies who refuse forceful treatment. I believe osteopathy will bring a revolutionary change in manual therapy in Asia.
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