Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy:

• is a highly skilled hands-on form of diagnosis and treatment

• it is primarily aimed at the human frame, i.e. bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons, fascia.

• Osteopaths are trained to locate strains, twists, inflammation, muscle tightness, etc., through hands-on palpation.

• Osteopaths are trained in orthopaedic tests

• Osteopaths assess posture, lifestyle and work habits which may be influential in the patient's condition.

• Osteopaths use x-ray and scan results where necessary.

• Osteopaths learn human anatomy in great detail enabling them to treat with an understanding of what is going on beneath the skin.

• Osteopaths are trained to pick up serious medical problems and know when it is not safe to treat.

• Osteopaths use a wide variety of massage and manipulation techniques and treatment is targeted at the affected area of the body and aims to help normalise the tissues, e.g. loosen tight joints, correct twisted vertebrae, ease pain and inflammation.

• Osteopathy was the first complementary medicine therapy to receive statutory regulation in the Osteopaths Act passed in Parliament in 1993. The title Osteopath is now protected by law and all Osteopaths have to be registered with the General Osteopathic Council.