What Is Osteopathy ?

Osteopathy Explained

Osteopathy is a safe, gentle and effective approach using hands-on techniques to diagnose and treat a wide range of health problems, aiming to relieve pain, discomfort and immobility.

The Osteopathic philosophy is to treat the person as a whole, not just the specific symptoms. By improving the function of the whole body, Osteopathy helps to stimulate the body’s own self-healing, self-regulating processes, aiding a return to health. Using a combination of Osteopathic and conventional diagnostic techniques, treatment is based on mobilising and manipulative procedures tailored to the individual patient, reinforced by guidance on diet, lifestyle and exercise.

Some of the conditions, which Osteopathy can treat include:

Acute and chronic back pain
Sciatica
Whiplash injuries
Headaches
Rheumatic pain
Sports injuries
‘Frozen shoulder’
Arthritic pain
Osteopaths are statutorily registered practitioners who follow strict practice standards to ensure quality care for patients.

How can Osteopathy help ?

People commonly visit osteopaths for MSK conditions, such as back, neck, joint, muscle and arthritic discomfort. Osteopaths have a well-deserved, evidence-based reputation for expertise in the treatment of these conditions.

People also visit osteopaths for a variety of other health reasons including neuromuscular conditions such as sciatica, digestive issues, headaches and migraine prevention.

Most osteopaths work in local private healthcare clinics and you can visit them without the need for a GP referral.

History of Osteopathy

Osteopathy was founded in the late 1800s by Andrew Taylor Still, an American physician and surgeon who viewed the body as having the natural ability to recover from ill health when functioning effectively.

He developed an approach that integrated manual techniques to affect body function so as to enable the body to ‘restore health’.

This approach officially became known as 'osteopathy' in 1885, and in 1892 Still formed the American School of Osteopathy in Kirkville, USA, to teach others his methodologies.

Osteopathy came to Britain in 1913, when one of Still’s early students, John Martin Littlejohn, returned to London to practice and with the aim of setting up 'a standard of osteopathic science, to show the public what the science is and to clinically demonstrate its efficiency’.

Since those early days osteopathy has evolved significantly, informed by experience and research, to become an internationally practiced profession, recognised by the World Health Organisation and other international bodies. 

Osteopaths subscribe to a philosophy which embraces the idea of the unity of structure and function through four main principles.

The body is a unit, and the person represents a combination of body, mind and spirit. The effects of any disease are felt, in varying degrees, throughout the body. Therefore, the entire body can be mobilised to help combat illness. Treating specific, isolated symptoms ignores the interconnectedness of the body.

The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance.Natural treatment methods can promote healthy body functions, which are designed to battle disease and help repair injury. Preventative medicine, including good nutrition and fitness, is important for sustaining healthy body systems. Through appropriate treatment, an individuals healing ability can be stimulated and maximised.

Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.This system makes up two-thirds of the body's mass and includes the bones, muscles, and cartilage. It impacts and reflects the condition of all other systems in the body.

Rational treatment is based on an understanding of these principles: body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function.Osteopathic treatment is the central element of the application of this philosophy. Osteopaths use their hands to diagnose problems, relieve pain, restore range of motion as well as balance tissues and muscles in order to promote the body's own natural, healthy state.