Osteopathy
About osteopathy
Osteopathy is a hands-on therapy aiming to restore mobility and relieve pain.
An osteopath uses massage and gentle manipulation to treat musculo-skeletal conditions. To describe themselves as osteopaths, practitioners must have completed a degree in osteopathy, be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), and be insured to treat people.
Osteopathy has been taught here since the British School opened in 1917, and is practised country wide, recently within multi-disciplinary teams used by GP surgeries, surgical and rehab units, and sports teams. “Cranial” osteopathy is also increasingly popular with mums and babies.
Chiropractors are similar to osteopaths, but often place a greater emphasis on manipulation of the spine.
Physiotherapists tend to be slightly less hands-on, and use more home exercise.
These generalisations depend entirely on the individual practitioner, and all aim to restore function and reduce pain, using slightly different approaches.
Like osteopaths, chiropractors and physiotherapists have regulatory bodies, were founded in the 1890s, and use manual therapy to help with pain, injury, and posture. The differences are largely historical and philosophical.