What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatments for a wide range of medical conditions. To an Osteopath, for your body to work well, its structure must also work well. So, Osteopaths work to restore your body to a state of balance, where possible without the use of drugs or surgery. It is a gentle and effective hands on approach to health care, based on the principle that the way your bod moves influences how it functions. Osteopaths 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 bodies own healing mechanisms. They may also advise on posture and exercise to aid recovery, promote health and prevent symptoms recurring.
Osteopaths are highly educated and competent health professionals, recognised by the NHS, as fully qualified to diagnose and treat independently. All Osteopaths in the UK are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council. The title ‘Osteopath’ is protected by law, it is against the law for anyone to call themselves an Osteopath in the UK, unless they are registered with the General Osteopath Council, which sets and promote high standards of competency, conduct and safety.
Who and what DO Osteopaths treat?
Osteopaths ‘patients include the young, older people, manual workers, officer professions, pregnant women, children and sports people. Patients seek treatment for a wide variety of conditions, including back and neck pain, joint or muscle pain, sports injuries, changes to posture in pregnancy, postural problems and strains caused by driving or work, the pain of arthritis and more.