What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a primary healthcare discipline that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of medical conditions. Osteopaths use their skill, knowledge and expertise to understand the health of the body’s tissues (muscles, bones, ligaments, connective tissue [fascia]) as their function is critical in an individual’s health and well-being.
Osteopaths use a combination of questions, examination and palpation [touch] to identify areas of imbalance or ‘dysfunction’ within your body that are contributing to your symptoms. A treatment or management plan is then discussed with you, and with your consent, implemented to provide the best possible environment for your body to heal.
How does one become an Osteopath?
After a four or five year course of degree level Osteopathy training, the individual must register with the regulatory body for Osteopathy. The General Osteopathic Council [GOsC] has regulated the practice of Osteopathy in the UK since the state recognition of the Osteopaths Act 1993.
Osteopaths are required to renew their registration each year and are provided with an annual license to practice. As part of this process, the GOsC checks that Osteopaths have current professional indemnity insurance, remain in good health and of good character, and have met mandatory continuing professional development requirements.
What do Osteopaths treat?
Osteopaths are often misunderstood as only treating people for bad backs and necks. Although this is a significant part of what we treat it is worth remembering that Osteopathic treatment can help with a variety of medical conditions such as:
- Sciatica
- The pain and discomfort of arthritis
- Postural problems caused by driving or work
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Muscle spasm and tension
- Lumbago
- Joint pain
- Frozen shoulder
- Arm, leg and foot pain
- Neuralgia
- Cramps
- Inability to relax
- Headaches
- Poor circulation
- Digestive complaints
- Fibromyalgia
- Sports/work injuries
- Postural changes during pregnancy