An Introduction To Osteopathy

Cover of Osteopathy: Research and Practice

Estimates suggest that around as many as seven million of us visit an Osteopath every year but for those that don’t the ideas behind Osteopathy and its treatments can be easily misunderstood. The following article provides a quick introduction to the profession, its principles and practices, and how it fits into the broader medical world.

What is Osteopathy?
It is important to note that Osteopathy is defined as a complimentary ‘medicine’, that is it should be used in conjunction with traditional empirically driven medical treatments. In itself it is not driven by scientific findings and developments but instead by a set of principles regarding the function of the human body dating from the practices in 1874 of a man called Dr Andrew Taylor Still from Kansas.

At the heart of the profession are the ideas that the structure and function of the human body are inextricably linked, a unbalanced structure cannot function optimally, and that the body has a powerful ability to heal itself. A structure out of kilter can directly or indirectly cause or exacerbate ailments and Osteopathic treatments aim to restore this natural structural harmony allowing the body the chance to heal. It is therefore integral that the body is viewed as an interlinked and unified entity with the musco-skeletal structure of the body providing function whilst being supported by the body’s other organs. As a result Osteopathic treatments can be described as being holistic, not focusing on ailments in isolation.

How is it Performed?
The most common misconception about Osteopathy is that it is simply a treatment for lower back pain. Traditionally, and perhaps most frequently, it does indeed treat bad backs (or more specifically lower back pain as well as aches, pains and strains around the shoulder and neck), however it can in fact be used to treat a myriad of other ailments too from Asthma to period pain.

The principle treatments of Osteopathy are the hands on massage and manipulation of muscles and joints in the body to either realign these structures or to free them up to allow healing to occur effectively. Although treatments can also involve the Osteopath simply advising the patient to engage in beneficial exercises or contrastingly to refrain from any activities which may aggravate an issue. All treatments are in effect administered externally and the practice does not involve intrusive treatments such as drugs or surgery.

Who Practices Osteopathy?
In short Osteopathy is practiced by Osteopaths, however these practitioners can fall into two camps; those that are also fully qualified physicians and those who strictly practice Osteopathy (and are therefore not fully trained medical practitioners). Qualifications can now be obtained to both Bachelor and Masters degree levels, although these qualifications do not permit the individual to prescribe medicine.

In the UK, Osteopathy treatments have been practised since 1917 having been brought from America by a pupil of AT Still, John Martin Littlejohn. It was in 1993 though that it was recognised as a fully self regulated medical profession and as a result anyone calling themselves an Osteopath nowadays must be qualified to a set level and registered with the governing body, the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) - much as the equivalent for Dentistry for example. This ensures a level of service but most importantly public safety. There are currently 4,000 such Osteopaths in the UK who are permitted to practice.

Osteopathic treatments can be accessed in the UK through the NHS but it is rare to get this funding due their limited empirical support. Most Osteopaths treat patients within the private healthcare sector and although many choose the treatment of their own accord, patients can have and often do have the treatment recommended by GPs.

Depending on the condition, there are certainly benefits to be had by seeking Osteopathic treatment but it is essential to check that any practitioner is fully qualified and regulated by the GOsC before receiving any such treatment.


© Stuart Mitchell 2012
If you want to find out more about whether Osteopathy is right for you then you can visit Osteopathy London.