The degree program in Osteopathy aims to train health professionals in the field of alternative medicines whose approach focuses on the human being and the uniqueness of the person is taken into account both at the level of assessment, treatment and care. Our graduates in osteopathy acquire solid theoretical-scientific and practical basis, so that they can excel in their profession and learn to listen and collaborate with their patients to help them achieve an optimal level of health. Osteopathy is an alternative and complementary medicine now consolidated and recognized all over the world, focused on manual contact for the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of various diseases and focuses its attention on the health of the person rather than on the disease . Our students will learn to use a causal and non-symptomatic approach, looking for functional alterations of the body that lead to the manifestation of signs and symptoms that can therefore lead to problems of various kinds. Osteopathy was founded by an American doctor, dr. Andrew Taylor Still, who at the end of the 19th century discovered the relationship between the functional balance of all body structures and health.

The main innovative principles of osteopathy are:

• The human being is a functional dynamic unit whose state of health is determined by the body, the mind and the spirit
• The body possesses mechanisms of self-regulation and self-healing
• The structure and function are mutually correlated
• The therapeutic approach is based on the application of all three principles Osteopathy deals with both the structural aspects and mechanical problems of the musculoskeletal type, the functional alterations of the organs and the viscera and also of craniosacral and fascial system.

The graduate in osteopathy will work on patients of all age groups, from the newborn to the elderly, also dealing with pregnant women. It deals with disorders such as neck pain, back pain, sciatica, arthritis, discopathy, headaches, joint and muscle pain, changes in balance, neuralgia, chronic fatigue, congestive diseases such as otitis, sinusitis, gynecological and digestive disorders as well as post problems -partum of the newborn. There are different types of approaches in osteopathy and are: structural, visceral, fascial and cranio-sacral. Our graduates will be able to acquire all these skills as the study plan gives ample space to the study and the deepening of these topics. Last, but not least, will be the commitment required for the training activity that will allow the new graduate to enter the world of work with a relevant clinical and practical experience.

This Higher Education Programme is on a full time base and will be delivered in English and Italian.

TARGET GROUP

The course targets students enrolled on the Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Sciences for specialising in the health field.

Students enrolling on the Bachelor’s Degree in Osteopathy know they are entering a healthcare area that is characterized by a form of drug-free non-invasive manual medicine that focuses on total body health by treating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework, which includes the joints, muscles and spine. Its aim is to positively affect the body's nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems. Students will also develop the ability to communicate with patients and understand and manage pain. The WHO strategy for Traditional and Complementary Medicine (2014-2023), seeks to provide indications to Member States in order to benefit from the potential of the MT and C in the health field, wellbeing and health assistance focused on the individual and the effective and safe use of Traditional and Complementary Medicine through the regulating of products, practices and professionals. Web link: http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/traditional/trm_strategy14_23/en/

OVERALL COURSE OBJECTIVES

 Osteopathy was developed by Andrew Taylor Still, a physician and surgeon of the United States of America in the mid-1800s, who established the first independent school of osteopathy in 1892. Osteopathy (also called osteopathic medicine) is based on manual contact for diagnosis and treatment. Respect the relationship between body, mind and spirit in health and in illness; emphasizes the structural and functional integrity of the body and the intrinsic tendency of self-healing itself. Osteopaths, through a wide variety of manual therapeutic techniques, restore the physiological functions of the body and homeostasis, altered by symptomatic dysfunction. 

Osteopaths, thanks to their ability to understand the relationship between structure and function, lead the body to self-regulate. This holistic approach to patient care and healing is based on the concept that a human being is a dynamic functional unit, in which all parts are connected to each other and the body itself has its own self-regulating and self-healing mechanisms. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will be able to: 

• Communicate appropriately with your patients and clients, establishing a communication relationship that will help achieve maximum therapeutic effect. 
• Use an appropriate linguistic register and correct medical / scientific terminology to discuss and interact with any specialist working in the same field or in related areas. 
• Being able to read and interpret in an optimal way scientific texts and discussions useful for the profession. 
• Know how to manage problems in an expert way, identifying the most appropriate strategies to communicate solutions to patients and discuss possible solutions. 
• Use communication skills to convey and explain concepts and situations in the subject areas. 
• Be able to deepen the knowledge and skills in particular areas of the discipline, following personal inclinations. 
• Continue academic studies to be ready to take MQF 7 / EQF 7 level courses relevant to your area of study. 

RELATIONSHIP TO OCCUPATIONS

Osteopaths are healthcare specialists that provide a niche form of complementary and alternative medicine that focuses on the muscular and skeletal systems in the human body. The main objective of osteopathy is to treat and manipulate these systems, thereby facilitating overall health and wellbeing and treating illnesses and disorders of the circulatory, nervous and digestive systems. This area of healthcare is driven by the principal that our bodies’ tissues, organs and organ systems are interconnected, and that problems in one area can have a domino effect on the rest of the body. Osteopaths work with people of all age groups, from infants to elderly patients, providing relief for a variety of disorders and illnesses, such as colic, flexibility problems and back, neck and shoulder pain. Osteopaths will be exam patients, identifying areas of the body with problems and treating these problems through a structured process of palpation, massage, joint manipulation and stretching.  In addition to the hands-on treatment you provide, you’ll also be responsible for recommending overall lifestyle, dietary and exercise routines to prevent future problems.  Osteopaths in the course of professional life, will frequently be working alongside other medical professionals, receiving and making referrals and combining other treatment plans and techniques to provide a single, holistic care plan for your patients.

As per Directive 2005/36/EC, this qualification alone does not lead to a warrant to practice the profession in the capacity of Osteopath in Malta, and, so far, this programme has not been recognised by the relevant competent Authority in Malta,Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine. Following the achievement of the Degree, in order to operate as an Osteopath, every student will need to register at the Council for Professions Complementary to Medicine. You can contact the Council for further information via the following link https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/regcounc/cpcm/Pages/cpcm.aspx

PROGRAM DETAILS