What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a patient centred method of healthcare built on the understanding that a person's health is dependant on the effective functioning of their structure (ligaments, tendons bones etc.). Osteopathy is concerned with improving the functioning of a person's structure to positively impact their health, this is achieved, where possible, without the need for drugs or surgery. Osteopaths use a mix of manual techniques such as manipulation, stretching, massage and acupuncture to increase the mobility of joints and enhance blood and nerve supply to tissues in order to help your body heal.

Osteopaths have a very detailed understanding of anatomy, physiology and how a person's structure may impact their health, this knowledge is used to accurately diagnose the cause of a person's complaint and to decide on the best way to resolve it. Often this will involve the application of manual techniques and the prescription of exercises and stretches which the person can do at home to aid the healing process. At all times the patient's needs are the focus resulting in many methods being used to return the patient to optimum health.

There are over four thousand osteopaths in UK, conducting seven million consultations every year (20% of which are referred by general practitioners - National Osteopathy Survey 2006). Every osteopath is a primary healthcare practitioner, qualified to degree standard or higher.