Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a form of non-invasive manual therapy that focuses on treating the cause of your pain and discomfort rather than just its symptoms.

Osteopathy is recognised by NHS England as an allied health profession, joining physiotherapy as practitioners who hold degrees, practise independently, and are subject to regulation. To become certified, osteopaths must complete a 4-year, full-time programme leading to an honours degree ( bachelors or masters). This includes one thousand hours of clinical practise. Before an osteopath can legally practise in the UK, they must make contact with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), which grants professional licences and approval. According to the Osteopath Act of 1993, it is illegal to call yourself an osteopath unless you have received training from a recognised institution.

The goal of osteopathy is to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms, and treatment is individualised for each patient. To create the best possible environment for your body, your osteopath will employ a variety of treatment modalities, such as soft tissue techniques, joint mobilisation, stretching, and spinal manipulation. This is done to support the body's natural capacity to heal itself.

Both osteopathy and chiropractic are evidence-based practises. The primary distinction between an osteopath and a chiropractor is that the chiropractor focuses primarily on the spine and spinal adjustments to facilitate optimal nerve transition. Osteopaths, on the other hand, treat the entire body and employ a variety of techniques such as soft tissue release, spinal adjustments, stretching, and exercises.

Your osteopath will discuss the number of treatments you are likely to require during your initial consultation. This is based on the osteopath's previous experience of treating your condition. The average number of treatments required is around 5, but this can vary from person to person due to individual treatment responses and the type of condition being treated.

The osteopath may ask you to remove some of your clothing in order to properly examine you. We recommend that you dress comfortably in clothing that you can move freely in. You should expect privacy while undressing, and shorts can be provided if necessary.

A thorough case history will be taken during your initial consultation. This allows the osteopath to look into the root of the problem and the factors that may be contributing to your symptoms. Your osteopath may also question you about your medical history. This is to get a complete picture of you and your health. The examination phase will include an extensive postural evaluation and orthopaedic testing. This facilitates the formulation of a working diagnosis and the creation of a personalised osteopathic treatment plan. In some circumstances, further testing or imagining may be necessary. If this is required, your osteopath will inform you, give you suggestions for how to proceed, and support you all the way through the procedure. Your working diagnosis will be discussed, and the initial consultation will end with some osteopathic treatment (if deemed appropriate). This will involve a variety of manual methods, including soft tissue work, stretching, and joint manipulation and mobilisation. These methods aim to increase joint mobility, encourage healing, and lessen pain in order to assist the body in resuming its normal functions. Your osteopath may suggest exercises, as well as changes to diet and lifestyle, in addition to providing hands-on care. This guidance is intended to help you continue making progress outside of the treatment setting.

Osteopaths do not only treat backs, despite widespread misconceptions. The list below highlights a few of the condition’s osteopaths can treat: ​

• Arthritic Pain

• Sports Injuries

• Headaches Related to Muscle Tension

• Repetitive Strain Injuries

• Joint Pains

• Low Back Pain

• Neck Pain

• Pain Related to Postural Changes in Pregnancy

• Fibromyalgia

• Muscle Spasms

• Shoulder, Arm and Wrist Pain

• Hip, Knee, Ankle and Foot Pain

To provide an optimal environment for your body, your osteopath will employ a variety of treatment modalities such as spinal manipulation, joint mobilisation, stretching, and massage. This is to support the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Both osteopathy and physiotherapy are evidence-based practises. Both receive extensive training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, and practical skills. In the UK, most physiotherapists receive their education through the NHS and complete rotations in the fields of musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiology and respiratory health. Osteopathic training focuses on musculoskeletal health, and practitioners are well-versed in the application of spinal and joint manipulation, which is a core component of their four-year training. Osteopaths are more likely to work with their hands. Physiotherapists use exercise prescription and other modalities such as ultrasound and electrotherapy. But both professionals can take advantage of a variety of postgraduate courses and CPD courses to get trained in a multitude of techniques.