A-Z of Osteopathy

Osteopaths are now statutorily regulated, like doctors and dentists.

But what do osteopaths do?

They treat a lot more than back pain, as this guide shows:

Children and babies. Osteopathic treatment for children and babies is very gentle and can help correct mechanical problems in growing bodies or problems that develop from earlier knocks or falls.

Colic

The gentle, skilful application of osteopathic treatment (cranial techniques are frequently used for treating babies) can bring about a significant improvement in such cases, which may be an outcome of a traumatic birth.

Cranial Techniques

Small tolerances of movement exist within the skull and osteopaths with their highly trained sense of touch can identify and correct disturbances and limitation of tissue mobility, not only in the skull but throughout the body.

Diagnosis / Driving

Diagnosis

Osteopaths are fully trained in diagnosis and use many of the procedures used in conventional medical assessment and diagnosis. More specific clinical tests may also be done or arranged or a referral made if it is felt necessary.

Driving

Osteopaths can give advice on ensuring a comfortable drive, particularly for those who suffer from back pain.

Education - how to become an osteopath / Examination - what's involved

Education

Training is for four years full time or five years part time. The Privy Council has now approved accreditation by the General Osteopathic Council of an initial five education providers.

Examination

What's involved - The initial consultation involves taking a thorough case history covering general health, previous illness, lifestyle and family medical history. The osteopath will then conduct a physical examination, observing the patient?s range of movements and joint function and assessing individual tissues. After the examination the osteopath will explain the findings and a suitable course of treatment will be prescribed.

Feet & Ankles / Finding an Osteopath

Feet and ankles

Some lower limb and back conditions may stem from an uneven gait (pattern of walking) and this may be due to problems with the feet or ankles. An osteopath will cover this in their initial examination.

Finding an osteopath

Registered osteopaths can be found through the by telephoning the General Osteopathic Council?s advice line (020 7357 6655) or at its website:- GOsC

General Osteopathic Council / Glue Ear / Gynaecological Problems

General Osteopathic Council

The Osteopaths Act (1993) established the GOsC as the regulatory body for the osteopathic profession. After 9 May 2000 all osteopaths must be registered, with the Council. GOsC

Glue Ear

Recurrent infections in the ear may be due in part to restrictions in the small yet important movements between various bones of the growing skull. An osteopath can often help.

Gynaecological problems

Osteopathy can give relief to problems such as menstrual pain and other associated pelvic problems.

Headaches

A component of the typical tension headache may be poor posture or stresses and strains caused by mechanical problems, all of which can be addressed by an osteopath.

Indigestion / Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Indigestion

Osteopathy may be able to relieve the discomfort of indigestion.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Osteopathy can help give relief to the bowel.

Jaw/Joint Stiffness

Jaw

Many people find their jaw clicks but when it becomes painful or more frequent osteopathy can be beneficial

Joint stiffness

Osteopathy can help increase range of movement to relieve the pain associated with joint stiffness.

Knees

Whether through a sporting injury or general wear and tear osteopathy can help relieve knee pain.

Ligament & Muscle Strain

Strain often accompanies skeletal problems and osteopaths can detect and correct where this occurs.

ME/Migraines/Morning Sickness

ME - or chronic fatigue syndrome.

Some researchers believe it arises from an impaired communication between the central nervous system, the internal organs and the musculo skeletal components of the body. Clinical trials have successfully demonstrated that a manual treatment programme such as osteopathy can help this debilitating condition.

Migraines

Tension in neck musculature may be a contributing factor in migraine.

Morning sickness

Some patients have reported reduced symptoms after osteopathic treatment.

Neck Pain / NHS

Neck Pain

Osteopaths can treat chronic or acute pain and treat to prevent pain recurring.

Osteopathic Treatment/Osteoporosis

Osteopathic treatment

Osteopaths use their hands both to discover the underlying causes of pain and to carry out treatment using a variety of manipulative techniques.

Osteoporosis

Osteopaths can advise on preventative steps to take to avoid development of this disease. They can also help with any associated pain.

Pelvic Pain / Posture / Pregnancy

Pelvic Pain

There are a number of causes of such pain (uterine motility and surgery) that osteopathy may be able to address.

Pregnancy

Osteopathy is a wonderfully gentle way of helping the body adapt to the changes which are taking place.

Posture

This can greatly influence the health of the musculo-skeletal system and is frequently assessed by osteopaths.

Quality of Life

Removing pain and restoring freedom of movement can greatly improve ones quality of life.

Rheumatic Pain / RSI

Rheumatic Pain

Osteopathy can help to reduce tissue inflammation and hence pain.

RSI

Osteopaths can advise on workplace posture and treatment can help ease the pain of RSI

Sciatica/Sport injuries/Statutory Regulation

Sciatica

(Leg pain) is a common complaint which is frequently seen and successfully treated by osteopaths.

Sport injuries

Osteopathy can help keep you at your training peak and also enable a swift return to sport following strains and overuse injuries.

Statutory Regulation

As of the 9 May 2000 osteopathy became a Statutory Regulated profession like doctors and dentists and the title Osteopath? is restricted by law so that only those registered can use it.

Techniques/Tennis Elbow

Techniques

These may include soft tissue stretching, rhythmic passive joint movements or high velocity thrust techniques to improve the range of movement of a joint. Gentle release techniques are often used, particularly when treating children or elderly patients.

Tennis Elbow

This is not only restricted to tennis players! Its a common overuse injury that can be successfully treated with osteopathy.

Upper Limb Disorders

Symptoms, such as aches, pains, difficulty in movement and swelling can be addressed by an osteopath.

Veterinary Osteopathy/Visceral osteopathy

Veterinary osteopathy

Is used successfully to treat animals from domestic pets to race horses. Provided that permission is given by your vetinary surgeon, osteopaths are insured to treat animals

Visceral osteopathy

Osteopaths can treat the internal organs for relief of symptoms from abdominal, digestive, respiratory and pelvic pain.

Work Strain

Many work related aches and pains (?mouse wrist?, ?computer hump,? neck, shoulder or back pain) as well as injury caused by lifting can be relieved through osteopathic treatment.

X-rays

Osteopaths may recommend that their patients have an x-ray or an MRI scan if they feel that more information is needed or if they suspect an underlying pathology. These patients will often be referred back to their GPs.

Young People

Children and teenagers are not immune from musculo-skeletal problems which can be caused by sports activities, hunching over computer games or carrying heavy school bags.

Zzzzzz - Sleeping

Could your bed be part of your back problem? You can obtain advice on choosing a bed from your osteopath.

This is based on an official document, written by The General Osteopathic Council with the aim of raising awareness about osteopathy & osteopaths.

    Caution
The contents of these osteopathic web site pages are only provided to be used as a guide and one should not attempt to treat or diagnose on the basis of this information.

If you feel you need help, then you should consult an appropriate primary health care practitioner, i.e. osteopath, chiropractor, doctor or other.

We hope you find something here of help or interest.