New osteopathy student - advice wanted!

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Permalink Reply by Niklas on March 20, 2008 at 2:19pm

Hi James!

And welcome to the often frustrating world of osteopathy. My advice to you would be ta start of with a textbook of basic m.s anatomy and something really easily digested regarding osteopathic history and principles. I have seen students for some years now, and a rookie mistake is to jump 10 steps ahead leaving you at the end of your education with a very poor foundation. Many students are able to talk you thru very advanced theories regarding the patients complaint but fail to differentiate between a muscle and a tendon.

All the best / Niklas S. Sposato D.O.

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Permalink Reply by dave chapman on March 20, 2008 at 3:06pm

Here's a couple of tips from a first year
Form a study group
Don't buy loads of books straight away... wait til you come across some you really like first
Keep on top of all the homework and revision

Which school are you going to?

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Permalink Reply by Nancy on March 20, 2008 at 9:41pm

Hi James

In my opinion, there are no "one or two books"....a good foundation in osteopathy comes from many books and not the same books for everyone - I'd wait until you've spent some time in the college library and decided which books work for you.

My best advice is actually to take time off from study/work before you start - when you start you will discover a vast amount of reading (more than you will ever have time for)!

Nancy

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Permalink Reply by James on March 21, 2008 at 9:53am

Niklas, Dave, Nancy, thank you.

Going either to BSO or BCOM, just deciding at present but it's a difficult choice. Masters at one, Bachelors at the other; one is nearer to me, one further away; one smaller, one larger; one involves dissection, one doesn't etc. Difficult choice.

James

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Permalink Reply by Ronan O'Brien on March 21, 2008 at 10:18am

Heya James

1st year can be an intense experience with a lot to learn in a short period of time. It's a good idea to do some work before you start.

I would recommend buying an anatomy colouring book to get you started, particularly if visual learning appeals. It's a good way to get some of the structural concepts into your head and paves the way for denser layers of knowledge. There are lots of free learning resources online too - check out anatomical podcast and videos resources on iTunes U and Instant Anatomy.

Both schools you mention have advantages and disadvantages. I'm at the BSO so am slightly biased! There are students here from both uni's - Lauren Storey is a BCOM student and I'm sure would be happy to give you the inside scoop. If you would like any more info on the BSO from a students perspective feel free to drop me a message.

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Permalink Reply by Flaka on April 4, 2008 at 1:17pm

hey im having the exact same problem as you, just wondering if youv made up you mind on either place yet?

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Permalink Reply by Olivia Swabey on March 23, 2008 at 10:23pm

Hi, I'm also hoping to start next year and am a science newby as well so this is very useful, and Ronan, your advice about the colouring books is great, I didn't even know such a thing existed! Brilliant.
Olivia

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Permalink Reply by Austin on April 2, 2008 at 5:35pm

Hi. I made a list of things that I wish I'd known when I started at the British School of Osteopathy. The site it was originally on looks to be going out of date, so I've moved it to another site.

Parts are very BSO-specific, but others -- such as buying a plastic skeleton from Ebay -- are useful for anyone.

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Permalink Reply by James on April 3, 2008 at 11:08am

Thanks Austin, invaluable information (even for someone who doesn't even know what an LRP is!)

James

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Permalink Reply by Austin on April 3, 2008 at 4:20pm

Ah yes. LRP = learning resource pack. In other words, homework!

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Permalink Reply by Clement Rhein on April 5, 2008 at 7:41pm

Hey man,
congrats for starting the course dude!

I went to the ESO, they gave us a list of recommended books - so I bought them all. Turned out I didn't really need half of them.

For me, the books that rocked during studying was
Netter's anatomy atlas - to help understand what's under your hands while practicing
Marieb (Physiology and anatomy) - found it quite helpful in rounding up physiology and neurology lessons.
I'm keen in visceral osteopathy and I recommend Barral. But that's probably better towards the end or after the degree.

I read one book about osteopathy in general in my first year, and I don't really recall any help from that. Yet, lots of my colleagues read loads of osteo philosophy books and they definitively were on it!

Bascically, if you're keen, you can read a few books now. Otherwise, don't worry about it man, the course is complete and intense enough to bring you what you need to become an osteopath.

I wouldn't really buy any books before the course. See what you like and use from the libray, and then decide what to do.

Best of luck ma friend
Clem

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Permalink Reply by Manouela on April 7, 2008 at 12:06pm

What you should think about for choosing a college is the differences they have. They are very different is some areas and that's what makes the choice easier. If you are interested in nutrition and psychology and the more holistic approach you should choose BCOM. If you prefer a more mechanical approach you should choose BSO. I think BCOM has a little more work and studying because of the extra modules.

A visit at the colleges could help too. I felt really nice and friendly in BSO, but when I went to BCOM i felt that this is for me.

Good luck!
We might end up classmates!

Manouela

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