What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a well-established and recognised system of healthcare, which
lays its main emphasis on the structural and functional integrity of the body.
It is distinctive by the fact that it recognises that much of the pain and
disability that we suffer stems from abnormalities in the function of the body
structure as well as damage caused to it by disease.
The aim of osteopathy is to correct problems in the body frame, making it
easier for the body to function normally and minimise the chances of the
problem reoccurring in the future.
Osteopaths spend a minimum of four years training in the medical sciences, and
in addition are skilled in diagnosis and treatment using their hands. They are
able to assess and accurately diagnose the source of the problem, and then use
gentle ‘hands on‘ techniques to give relief from discomfort and get their
patient on the route to good health.
The osteopath will take each person in their environment and adjust elements of
the environment or the body so the body can heal itself. Much of the
treatment is hands-on, including massage, joint manipulation and mobilisation,
tension balancing and muscle energy techniques. Many people will also
benefit from the postural advice, stretches and exercises that can be
individually tailored to each client.