What Is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a type of manual treatment that works on a person’s muscles and joints to move, stretch, and manipulate them to diagnose, treat, and prevent a variety of health issues. These methods are employed to bring the skeleton, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue of the individual back into harmony and balance.
From the very young to the very old, including pregnant women and athletes, osteopathy is the ideal kind of treatment.
Osteopaths are skilled in treating a wide range of conditions, including back pain, neck discomfort, hip and knee pain, soft tissue injuries, headaches, and general joint pain.
Osteopathy Treatment
In your initial appointment with an osteopath, they will inquire about your symptoms, general health, and any other medical care you may be receiving before performing a physical examination.
Using their highly trained touch, the osteopath will feel with their hands to find areas of restrictions within the joints, painful or tender spots within the soft tissues, and identify any areas of weakness or impairment.
Where appropriate, and only with your consent, you may need to remove some clothing to allow this to take place effectively and you will likely be asked to perform simple movements to help the osteopath identify the issue.
The findings will be discussed and whether osteopathic treatment can help with the issue and, if so, what the treatment plan should entail.
Osteopaths are taught to recognise whether a patient requires a referral to a GP or other diagnostic procedures, such as MRI scans or blood tests.
Regulation
Osteopathy is a regulated health profession separate from nursing, medicine and pharmacy but is regulated in much the same way as medical doctors
Osteopaths are required by law to register with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).
The GOsC only accepts registration from practitioners who meet their standards of practice and have an osteopathy degree that is recognised by the GOsC.
Every year, osteopaths must renew their registration. The GOsC verifies their insurance is up to date and that they are continuing their professional growth.
