Osteopathy and Cranial Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is an established recognised system of diagnosis and treatment, which lays its main emphasis on the structural and functional integrity of the body. It is distinctive by the fact that it recognises that much of the pain and disability that we suffer stems from abnormalities in the function of the body structure as well as damage caused to it by disease. [Description by General Osteopathic Council, 28th October 1998] Osteopathy was founded in 1872, and is now practised in scores of countries around the world. Ther are now over three thousand registered osteopaths in the U.K.

What kinds of conditions can Osteopathy help with?

Whilst back pain is the most common problem seen, osteopathy can help with a wide variety of problems including changes to posture in pregnancy, repetitive strain injury, postural problems caused by driving or work strain, the pain of arthritis and sports injuries among many others.

What happens when you see an osteopath?

When you visit an osteopath for the first time a full case history will be taken and you will be given an examination. You will normally be asked to remove some of your clothing and to perform a simple series of movements. The osteopath will then use a highly developed sense of touch, called palpation, to identify any points of weakness or excessive strain throughout the body. The osteopath may need additional investigations such as an x-ray or blood tests. This will allow a full diagnosis and a suitable treatment plan to be developed with you. Osteopathy is patient centred, which means the treatment is geared to you as an individual.

What does treatment involve and how much will you need?

This will depend on the nature of your problem, how long you have had it and on indiviual factors such as age and physique. Some patients will feel an improvement after 1 or 2 treatments, others may need a series of treatments in order to benefit. Treatment may be very gentle, or involve the use of deeper, stronger techniques. Thrusts techniques ("clicking" joints) are only used when appropriate and with your consent.

How do you know you are in good hands?

In 1993, osteopathy became the first major complementary healthcare profession to be accorded regulation under the 1993 Osteopaths Act. This has culminated in the opening of the statutory register of osteopaths by the General Osteopathic Council in May 1998. Only those practitioners able to show that they have been in safe and competent practice of osteopathy have been allowed onto the register and all newly qualified osteopaths are trained to the same high rigorous standards.