Osteopaths use touch and manipulation to diagnose and treat problems caused by misalignments of the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and connective tissue that make up the musculo-skeletal system. In a healthy body, this framework supports and protects the organs, helping all body systems – nerves, circulation, digestion and hormones – to function at their best.
Physical and emotional stress, injury and poor posture can have a negative effect on this system. Pain creates muscle tension, which in turn creates more pain. Osteopathic techniques that range from soothing massage to high velocity mobilisation of joints help ease muscle tension, improve mobility and promote self-healing processes.
Osteopathy can help relieve chronic or minor problems, provide one-off relief from pain and dysfunction or contribute to the management of long-term conditions.
The word itself comes from the Greek- osteo: bone, pathos: disease.
The word itself comes from the Greek- osteo: bone, pathos: disease. The practice began in the 19th century when army doctor Andrew Taylor Still began looking at the power of the body to heal itself.
Still was disillusioned with the medicine of the day, having watched helplessly as three of his children died of meningitis. He wanted to discover the cause of disease rather than just treating symptoms and stumbled on the idea that bones 'out of place' could affect the blood and nerve supply causing illness.
Training to be an osteopath takes 4-5 years full-time. A degree in osteopathy is similar to a medical degree except osteopaths are trained in osteopathic techniques instead of surgery.
All osteopaths in the UK must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council, our registering body. This came in to effect on 9th May 2000. All osteopaths must undertake mandatory Continued Professional Development (CPD) that means all osteopaths will remain trained up to the latest standard of clinical and practical competence.
There are some guiding principles of osteopathy.
