What is osteopathy, and why choose osteopathy?
A hands-on treatment method that works on the musculoskeletal system, internal organs, spine, nervous system and blood circulation — a field of medicine with a 140-year history.
Read the articleMedical Articles
Educational materials prepared by Dr. Elfana Suleymanova and the ELF Center team. 84 articles under 10 topic headings.
About osteopathy
What osteopathy is, what an osteopath does, what to expect at your appointment, and common myths.
What does an osteopath do? What are they looking for with their hands on your body?
Many people think an osteopath simply gives massages. In fact, that is not the case.
Read the articleWhat to expect at an osteopathy appointment
No painful or forceful manipulation is performed. The examination is gentle, safe and tailored to the individual.
Read the articleThe myth of “putting the vertebra back in place” — and finally leave that atlas alone
Many people think that a “vertebra has slipped out” and needs to be “put back in place.” But that is not how the spine works.
Read the articleIs it true that osteopathic treatment is painful?
Osteopathy techniques are gentle and painless, but like any method it too has contraindications — that is exactly what the examination is for.
Read the articleAcupuncture, dry needling and acupressure — are they the same procedure?
Although they look similar on the outside, each has a different area of application and mechanism of action.
Read the articleSpine and posture
Scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, herniated disc — causes, signs and treatment principles.
What is scoliosis and what causes it?
A deformity characterized by a curvature of the spine to the right or to the left — in an “S” or “C” shape.
Read the articleScoliosis is not just a posture problem
If not addressed in time, it can lead to back and neck pain, fatigue and restricted movement.
Read the articleCan scoliosis be corrected with therapeutic massage?
Massage is important — but on its own it does not straighten a curved spine. Don’t believe the myths.
Read the article“It will go away as they grow” — the most dangerous myth about scoliosis
Scoliosis does not correct itself as a child grows. On the contrary, the curvature may increase further during periods of rapid growth.
Read the articleKyphosis and postural disorders: why saying “stand up straight” is not enough
Good posture is possible not through willpower alone, but through the balanced work of the muscles, fasciae and ligaments.
Read the articleWhen can a herniated disc be treated without surgery?
The size of the herniation is not the deciding factor. What matters is the condition of the nerve roots.
Read the articleCan you exercise with a herniated disc?
You need to keep moving — but exercise must follow special rules.
Read the articleIs hanging from a pull-up bar harmful?
By hanging from a pull-up bar, you can turn a disc protrusion into a herniated disc.
Read the articleThe MRI is normal, but the pain still won’t go away
This is something many people experience. Sometimes the cause of the pain does not show up on an MRI.
Read the articleSome diagnoses cannot be made without an X-ray — while others don’t need an MRI
Consult a specialist before having an MRI — don’t put yourself to unnecessary expense.
Read the articleNot every crooked posture is scoliosis: what is scoliotic posture?
In scoliotic posture the spine itself is structurally healthy — the body stands asymmetrically because of muscle and fascial imbalance.
Read the articleAssessing scoliosis correctly: the Adams test is not enough
A correct diagnosis and timely intervention are critical for the child’s future health.
Read the articleHip dysplasia in childhood — a future risk of scoliosis
Most parents think that once the dysplasia has been treated, the problem is completely over.
Read the articleChildren’s health
From infancy to adolescence: posture, feet, developmental milestones and advice for parents.
When should a baby first see an osteopath?
Osteopathy is a gentle method that helps a baby adapt to life outside the womb and avoid problems that could arise in the future.
Read the articleIf your baby isn’t sitting up yet, don’t worry
Every child develops at their own pace. But rushing it with massage is not the right approach.
Read the articleDo you put arch-support insoles on your child? What you need to know about orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic shoes are, first and foremost, medical footwear — and they are prescribed only by a doctor.
Read the articleWhat are flat feet and how can they be corrected?
If your child’s feet look flat, that is not a sign of good health.
Read the articleCan a heavy school bag cause scoliosis in children?
Yes — especially when it is not carried correctly. The weight of the bag, which shoulder it is carried on and the child’s gait directly determine the load on the spine.
Read the articleWhen you get your child ready for school, is their body ready too?
We buy notebooks, a uniform, a school bag. But will their body cope with sitting 4–5 hours a day?
Read the articleHow can you tell that a child needs massage?
These are your body’s signals. If you pay attention in time, future problems can be prevented.
Read the articleDon’t just dismiss it as “hyperactive”
Sometimes a child’s restless sleep, poor attention or excessive activity may be linked to tension in the body.
Read the articleDoes your child sleep in a crooked position, and do you wake them up to straighten them?
Take note — by doing this, you could be holding back your child’s growth in height.
Read the articleHow safe is a trampoline for a child?
This pastime, which looks safe at first glance, can do serious harm to your baby.
Read the articleDevelopmental dysplasia of the hip in infants — why early diagnosis matters
Dysplasia can sometimes escape parents’ notice.
Read the articlePain and the body
Head, neck, low back, shoulder and joint pain — what is your body trying to tell you?
A headache is not a disease — it is an “alarm” signal
When a fire alarm goes off, do you try to silence the sound, or do you look for the fire?
Read the article“Text neck” syndrome: a daily habit, a long-term problem
Constantly tilting the head downward places a heavy load on the neck muscles and, over time, leads to pain.
Read the articleThe dangers of cracking your neck, and the right ways to relieve it
This habit, which many people do to relieve tension, can lead to serious health problems when repeated.
Read the articleWhat are the consequences of long-term painkiller use?
Medication simply “fools” you — while the problem keeps growing inside.
Read the articleDoes stress pass? Maybe not — it stays in your body
Neck, shoulder and low back pain — sometimes the cause is not psychological but stress stored in the body.
Read the articleWhere it hurts is often not where the problem is
If the pain keeps coming back, the cause is still there.
Read the articleJoint pain: causes and accompanying symptoms
Joint pain most often results from damage to the joint ligaments, the joint capsule or the tendons.
Read the articleThe psychological side of knee conditions
Knee conditions such as arthritis, osteoarthritis and gout have not only physiological but also psychological causes.
Read the articleVertigo (dizziness): causes and the osteopathic approach
Do you feel as if the world is spinning around you?
Read the articleHypertension and neck pain: how does osteopathy help with blood pressure?
Patients often think that the pain is caused only by their blood pressure. But the relationship works both ways.
Read the articleWhat are “salt deposits in the joints” really?
This popular expression does not, in the medical sense, mean an accumulation of salt.
Read the articleFat buildup on the upper back may actually be lymphedema
Behind swelling that looks like fat, there may be impaired lymphatic flow.
Read the articleWomen’s health
Pelvic floor, pregnancy, postpartum recovery and the balance of the female body.
Pelvic floor muscles: a common problem no one talks about
Don’t be embarrassed. You are not the only one living with this problem — and there is a solution.
Read the articleHow to manage low back pain during pregnancy
Medication is not allowed, and rehabilitation is often not recommended either. So what is the way out?
Read the articleHow osteopathy can help ease a difficult birth
By releasing movement restrictions and tension in the body, birth can be made easier and safer.
Read the articleBenefits of osteopathy after abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
A tummy tuck is a major operation — a proper recovery process is very important.
Read the articlePostpartum depression and the tailbone (coccyx)
Postpartum fatigue and mood changes cannot be explained by psychological causes alone.
Read the articleMenstrual pain can be relieved without medication
Normally, menstruation should not be that painful.
Read the articleDigestion and internal organs
Visceral osteopathy, gastroptosis (dropped stomach), constipation and the body’s internal balance.
Dropped stomach (gastroptosis) — a more serious problem than you think
It is not just a matter of appearance — it is directly linked to health and comfort.
Read the articleHow does a weak digestive system undermine the body’s overall health?
Weak digestion does more than cause discomfort in the abdomen.
Read the articleSitting and eating with your legs crossed — what does it do to the body?
Sometimes we think of the movements we make every day as mere habits. But this is how the body shows us that something is not right.
Read the articleGallbladder dysfunction and indigestion
If you have bloating, heaviness and discomfort under the right ribs after eating...
Read the articleTreatment methods
Hijama (cupping), leech therapy, acupuncture, dry needling, device-based therapies — how do they work?
What is hijama (cupping) and which conditions can it help?
Hijama (cupping) — a method practiced for centuries and known by many names: hacamat, bloodletting, the cupping method.
Read the articleThe benefits of leech therapy (hirudotherapy)
Leech therapy is considered one of the best preventive methods against stroke and heart attack.
Read the articleWhat is So-Check (Oligoscan) and what does it show?
No blood draw, no needles — your intracellular mineral, vitamin and heavy metal balance in just a few minutes.
Read the articleWhat complications does vitamin D deficiency cause?
From bone pain to depression — vitamin D is involved in far more of the body’s processes than you might think.
Read the articleIs collagen really that beneficial?
Collagen is a large protein — when taken orally, like all large proteins, it is broken down into small amino acids.
Read the articleDo dairy products prevent osteoporosis?
Cheese, yogurt and milk — the widely held belief on this subject is not always correct.
Read the articleMoxibustion: warmth and a calmer nervous system in 10 minutes
Is your hand going numb, your neck stiffening up? This is no longer just fatigue.
Read the articleOsteopathy is not suitable for everyone: contraindications
Let’s be honest — in some cases what is needed is not osteopathy but urgent medical intervention.
Read the articlePrevention and lifestyle
Daily habits, sedentary living, movement and self-care.
A sedentary lifestyle affects more than just the spine
See what spending long hours at a computer can lead to.
Read the articleHabits that look “trendy and comfortable” but harm your body
Your body remembers everything. If you don’t listen to it, it will speak to you through pain.
Read the articleA dehydrated body means aching joints
In summer, your neck, upper back and knees may hurt simply because you are not drinking water.
Read the articleWhy does neck and upper back pain get worse in summer? Air conditioning may be the cause
The body reacts not to the coolness, but to the sudden change in temperature.
Read the articleLife is movement — or, where there is movement, there is life
If we don’t move, our organs and tissues will move instead — in the opposite direction.
Read the articleEvery type of sport affects the spine differently
Swimming, yoga, the gym — which of them strengthens the back muscles, and which call for more caution?
Read the articleRehabilitation is not just treatment — it is behavior change
If you are getting the right treatment, don’t undermine it with bad habits.
Read the articleHow to choose the right memory foam pillow
Choose the right pillow for comfortable, healthy sleep.
Read the articleThe body is the home of the soul
Treating only the body, or only the mind, or only the physiology cannot deliver a complete result.
Read the articleCan you stop taking vitamin D in summer?
“Doctor, I spend a lot of time in the sun in summer, so I’m stopping my vitamin D” — I hear this sentence often.
Read the articleCoffee interferes with vitamin D absorption
Do you wake up tired and reach straight for coffee? Even if you take vitamin D, your levels may not rise.
Read the articleChronic fatigue: a body that cannot switch off “fight or flight” mode
Sometimes fatigue goes away neither with sleep nor with vitamins.
Read the articleDo you wake up at the same time every night?
This may not be just insomnia.
Read the articleDiaphragmatic breathing exercises — against stress and fatigue
Sometimes, to feel better, it is enough simply to learn how to breathe correctly.
Read the articleBack pain while traveling: what to do
A long journey strains the low back, neck and upper back — whether by car, train or plane.
Read the articleAnatomy and biomechanics
The diaphragm, fascia, psoas, mesentery — understanding the body as one system.
The diaphragm: more than just a breathing muscle
The diaphragm may be behind your neck pain, your jaw tension, and even your chronic fatigue.
Read the articleFascia: the hidden sensory system that connects the body from head to toe
The cause of pain is not always where we feel it — one of the reasons for this is the fascial system.
Read the articleA protruding belly isn’t always fat: the psoas and the position of the pelvis
You are not overweight, but your belly still sticks out? The cause may be weak muscles, a postural disorder or tension in the body.
Read the articleRib flare: when the front of the rib cage sticks out
It is not just a cosmetic issue — it may indicate that breathing mechanics have changed.
Read the articleThe mesentery: a little-known structure in visceral osteopathy
For many years it was considered merely the tissue that holds the intestines in place. Today that view has changed.
Read the articleStrength is built in the brain before the muscle
If there is weakness in a movement, the cause is not always a weak muscle.
Read the articleJaw, face and head
Bruxism, the temporomandibular joint, facial asymmetry and head tension.
Bruxism: the cause of nighttime teeth clenching is not only in the jaw
Do you know whether you clench or grind your teeth at night?
Read the articleThe temporomandibular joint (TMJ): what does an osteopath look for?
Does your jaw make noises? Do you have trouble opening your mouth fully?
Read the articleThe medial pterygoid muscle and jaw tension
A little-known muscle that plays an important role in the stability of the jaw joint.
Read the article
In video format
The same topics — on video
Seminars, TV appearances and short explanations for patients.
