What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a safe and natural approach to healthcare. It aims to get the body working as well as possible. It is an established system of diagnosis and treatment which concentrates on the structural and functional integrity of the body. It corrects mechanical problems in the body so that pain is reduced or removed and function is improved. This is done using hands-on techniques which involve stretching, gentle pressure, muscle tension release and joint rebalancing. Osteopathy is particularly effective because it looks at the patient's entire structure. Osteopaths work to provide three dimensional solutions to the body's mechanical problems. These problems may arise from a variety of causes; injury, illness, work-related strains or old age. Osteopathic treatment is based on a thorough case history, including a careful analysis of the patient's situation and how they acquired their symptoms. Posture, seating, exercise, diet, work demands, stress and old injuries, even dating from childhood, are all relevant. Osteopathic treatment has to be tailored to each patient.
Is Osteopathy regulated?
Since May 1998, there has been a Statutory Register kept by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). This means that the title "osteopath" is protected by law and it is a criminal offence to describe oneself as an osteopath in the UK unless registered with the GOsC.
The GOsC regulates, promotes and develops the profession of osteopathy. Only practitioners meeting high standards of safety and competency are eligible to join the register. Proof of good health, good character and professional indemnity insurance cover are also required.
Since 2004, the GOsC requires osteopaths to maintain their fitness to practise by attending regular CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses.
Who do Osteopaths treat?
Osteopaths are well known for treating patients with back pain, sports injuries and neck ache. However, in fact, osteopaths work with any correctable mechanical problem which is causing pain or discomfort and very many illnesses, injuries or "aches and pains" do have a partly mechanical cause. For example, chest infections may partly happen because the ribs or middle spine are stiff. This may be one factor among many others; maybe the person has been in contact with someone infectious, they are tired or run down, they have been eating poorly, etc. As a rule of thumb, it is worth talking to an osteopath if you have been suffering from a physical problem for a long time and you are not recovering as quickly as you think you should be. It may be that there is some physical strain which is holding up your recovery.