What is Ancient Tit-Tar Joint Mobilization Treatment ?
History
Joint Mobilization is a traditional form of manual therapy that has cropped up in many cultures through the centuries, including Ancient Egypt, Europe, Asia and Africa. Often practising with no formal training, bone setters not only set fractures but performed joint manipulation and treated many kinds of injuries, such as sprains, strains and dislocations.
Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) philosophy revolves around the understanding that the human body is a sophisticated universe of interconnecting systems which work in balance for the general health of the body. TCM philosophy also states that the body is equipped with its own mechanisms to fight illness and cure itself. Therefore, any kind of therapy applie to assist the normal self-healing function of human body, not interfere with it.
Traditional Chinese Joint Mobilization , commonly known as ‘tit tar’, in literally, ‘fall hit’ can be traced back to around 200 B.C. It arose from kung fu and other martial arts, where injured fighters needed effective treatment to get them back on their feet as quickly as possible. It rapidly became used to treat soldiers injured on the battlefield. It continues to be a popular choice for the treatment of accidents, falls and sports injuries.
Comparison between osteopathy and TCM
There are many visible similarities between Osteopathic and tit tar treatment. For example,both of Osteopathic and tit tar treatment include a physical examination to determine the cause of the problem. The practitioners then use joint manipulations and massage techniques to ease pain and stimulate the body to heal.
However, there are some significant differences, too. These differences arise in the way practitioners understand the body and its problems.
Traditional Chinese Joint Mobilization is part of TCM. This joint mobilization treatment has arisen from traditional beliefs and customs, deeply rooted in Chinese culture. Early Chinese physicians advanced the medical understanding of their time, formulating theories to explain what was happening in the body. The accumulation of knowledge through hundreds of years of practice led to the growth of TCM as a healthcare system. This means that its practices come from observational wisdom rather than scientific testing. However, this is enough to reassure its users that it offers effective healthcare. Although TCM has developed over the centuries, and could be considered a forerunner to modern medical science, its core beliefs are still grounded in those traditional theories.
Osteopathy, however, arises from today’s scientific concepts of the body, including anatomy, pathology, neurology and embryology. Over its almost 150-year lifespan, osteopathy has been continually revised and updated to reflect the latest research on how the body works. The professional organisations that regulate osteopathy ensure that osteopaths review and adapt their techniques, depending on the latest evidence for safe and effective practice. This constant process of research and review forms part of the professional life of every osteopath.
There are also variations in treatment methods. For example, alongside joint manipulation and massage, osteopaths have a wide range of techniques they can draw on. These include muscle energy techniques, cranial osteopathy, visceral techniques and exercise therapy. They can apply a combination of techniques according to the needs of the patient to achieve the desired results.
TCM practitioners, too, may apply techniques from the various branches of Chinese medicine. Herbal medicine, acupuncture, nutrition and movement therapy can all form part of a holistic treatment plan.Training in tit tar is less formalised, although practitioners may voluntarily register with a professional body, such as the Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Society of Australia. Registration requires the practitioner to hold an approved undergraduate degree. Osteopathy is a regulated profession in many parts of the world. Practitioners must complete a recognised degree qualification and maintain certain professional standards in order to legally use the title ‘osteopath’.The main function of these regulatory organisations is to protect the public. They focus on maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism through education and research. For example, both Tit-Tar practitioner and osteopaths know how to perform joint manipulations safely and how to spot any risk factors that suggest they might not be appropriate.
Training, education and qualifications
Training in tit tar is less formalised, although practitioners may voluntarily register with a professional body, such as the Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Society of Australia. Registration requires the practitioner to hold an approved undergraduate degree. Osteopathy is a regulated profession in many parts of the world. Practitioners must complete a recognised degree qualification and maintain certain professional standards in order to legally use the title ‘osteopath’.The main function of these regulatory organisations is to protect the public. They focus on maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism through education and research. For example, both Tit-Tar practitioner and osteopaths know how to perform joint manipulations safely and how to spot any risk factors that suggest they might not be appropriate.