What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. It works with the structure and function of the body and is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues functioning smoothly together.
Osteopaths are trained and experienced to use touch, physical manipulation, stretching and massage to increase the mobility of joints, to relieve muscle tension, to enhance the blood and nerve supply to tissues, and to help your body’s own healing mechanisms. They may also provide advice on posture and exercise to aid recovery, promote health and prevent symptoms recurring.
Osteopathy can help with
- Neck and back pain
- Cervicogenic headache (headache arising from the neck)
- Migraine prevention
- Disc injuries including sciatica
- Arthritis
- Sports injuries
- Shoulder conditions (e.g. rotator cuff syndrome; frozen shoulder)
- Stress related disorders
- Muscle tension and tears
- Neuralgia
- Lumbago and sciatica
- Generalised aches and pains
Sports Osteopathy
Mobility of the body is of the utmost importance to the sportsperson. Poor flexibility in the joints and muscles will prevent the body from performing at its optimum and is often a contributory element to injury. By assessing the posture and condition of those structures which make the human body a dynamic machine (the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues), the Osteopath is able to promote a rapid recovery from injury. Osteopathy can help prevent as well as treat injuries. It is particularly effective for sports that require controlled body mechanics such as golf and tennis.
Osteopathic terminology
- Mobilisation: a gentle technique to loosen stiff joints and ease painful joints
- Manipulation: a high velocity thrust technique with minimal range of motion, used to help loosen a stiff joint
- Traction: a gentle stretching technique than can be either manual or mechanical
- Soft-tissue techniques: these include massage, deep tissue, trigger point & muscle energy technique
Regulation of osteopathy
All osteopaths in the UK are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC); unregistered osteopathic practice is illegal.
Osteopaths are required to renew their registration each year and obtain an annual licence to practise. 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.