FAQs

(* Courtesy of the Osteopathic Information Service, General Osteopathic Council, Osteopathy House, 176 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 3LU. Telephone 020 7357 6655)

Osteopathy is an established, recognised system of diagnosis and treatment that lays its main emphasis on the structural integrity of the body. It is distinctive in the fact that it recognises much of that pain and disability we suffer stems from abnormalities in the function of the body structure as well as damage caused to it by disease.

Osteopathy uses many of the diagnostic procedures used in conventional medical assessment and diagnosis. Its main strength, however, lies in the unique way the patient is assessed from a mechanical, functional and postural standpoint and the manual methods of treatment applied to suit the needs of the individual patient.

When you visit an Osteopath for the first time a full case history will be taken and you will be given an examination.

You will be asked to remove some of your clothing and to perform a simple series of movements. The Osteopath will then use a highly developed sense of touch, called palpation, to identify any points of weakness or excessive strain throughout the body.

The Osteopath may need additional investigations such as X-ray or blood tests. This will allow a full diagnosis and suitable treatment plan to be developed with you. Osteopathy is patient-centred, which means the treatment is geared to you as an individual.

You are welcome to bring a chaperone with you to the first or any subsequent visits, if you wish.

What is the difference between an Osteopath, a Physiotherapist and Chiropractor?

It is not the role of any health professional to try to define what another health care professional is, and what they do. If you want a definition, it would be best to ask people in those professions. What we can do is tell you about the defining characteristics of Osteopathy, which are its underlying philosophy and broad range of techniques.

What are the Osteopathic philosophies?

[Sammut, E., Searle-Barnes, P. (1998). "Osteopathic Diagnosis" Cheltenham: Stanley Thornes Publishers Ltd.]

The body is a unit.
Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
The body possesses self-regulatory mechanisms.
The body has the inherent capacity to defend itself and repair itself.
When normal adaptability is disrupted, or when environmental changes overcome the body's capacity for self-maintenance, disease may ensue.
Movement of body fluids is essential to the maintenance of health.
The nerves play a critical part in controlling of fluids of the body.
There are somatic (bodily) components to disease that are not only manifestations of disease but also are factors that contribute to maintenance of the diseased state.

Implicit in these philosophies is the belief that Osteopathic intervention can have a positive influence on the above.

No. Aside from backs, Osteopaths treat much more than people think. Osteopaths treat people of all ages, including sports people, the elderly, pregnant women, babies and children. Below is a list of some common problems that may be treated by an Osteopath.

Headaches
Sinusitis
Neck ache
"Frozen" or stiff shoulders
"Tennis elbow" and arm pain
Back pain
Disc problems
Aches and pains in pregnancy
Bladder problems
Hip, thigh and knee problems
Calf and shin problems

Tinitus
Jaw problems
Whiplash injuries
Asthma
Breathing problems
Digestive problems
Wrist pain
Pelvic pain
Incontinence
Arthritic pain and stiffness
Foot problems

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	What is Osteopathy? *
	What happens when I visit an Osteopath? *
	What is the difference between an Osteopath, a Physiotherapist and Chiropractor?
	What are the Osteopathic philosophies?
	Do Osteopaths just treat bad backs? *

What are the Osteopathic philosophies?

[Sammut, E., Searle-Barnes, P. (1998). "Osteopathic Diagnosis" Cheltenham: Stanley Thornes Publishers Ltd.]