Bone fitters manipulate bones to treat musculoskeletal disorders, a practice with ancient origins that has been replaced by more formalized medical traditions in many regions. However, some areas still retain a culture of training and using bone mounters, particularly in developing countries. The level of training and experience of a bone assembler can vary, and patients interested in manipulative therapy may consult a chiropractor, massage therapist, or osteopathic physician.
A bone fitter manipulates bones to treat musculoskeletal disorders, including fractures and dislocations. The traditional skeleton is an example of lay medical practice, where people do not receive formal training and certification to work. In many regions of the world, it has been replaced by more formalized medical traditions. Some regions still retain a culture of training and using bone mounters, particularly in developing countries.
The origins of this practice are ancient. Ancient China, Greece, and Egypt incorporated bone assemblers into their medical traditions, as documented in a variety of artworks and scholarship from these cultures. Similar traditions can be seen in parts of Latin America. A bone carver historically learned the craft from a family member or was apprenticed to a working professional.
In Europe, in the Middle Ages, a more formal alliance with bones developed. Apprentices were required to complete a set amount of training under supervision in order to work. They could perform spinal adjustments, evaluate people with bone conditions, and treat people with injuries such as fractures. Apprentices, however, did not have full privileges like surgeons or doctors, two separate guilds at the time.
With advances in medicine, this practice has become obsolete in many regions of the world. Patients interested in manipulative therapy may consult a chiropractor, massage therapist, or osteopathic physician. Fractures and dislocations are usually treated by an orthopedic surgeon or general practitioner. These practices are regulated and include training requirements to reduce the patient’s risk of complications; fractures, for example, must be carefully managed to reduce the risk of infection and nerve damage.
Remote communities and some areas in developing countries may use a device to address basic medical needs related to the musculoskeletal system. The level of training and experience of a bone assembler can vary. Some participate in government and multi-agency sponsored programs to improve the quality of care they can provide through training in topics such as basic infection control and fracture management. Others may have poor patient outcomes due to limited understanding and experience.
Apprentices can learn from an experienced bone specialist, seeing patients and gradually performing procedures under supervision, or they can be self-taught. In some communities, forgetting may be linked to traditional religious and cultural practices and may be maintained as a practice of cultural value. Some people may turn to these lay professionals for health services, while others may prefer to use providers with more experience and training.
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