Important Note A new website is underconstruction with the latesest updated information. Please us ethe below as a general guide only. The Below has become of historical interest only. Reproduced verbatim from a document provided be the General Osteopathic Council soon after they became the Governing Body for osteopaths in 2000. The role of promoting osteopathy has since been transfered to the British Osteopathic Association. Despite the fact that osteopaths have been treating people with many of the below conditions for over 100 years it has been deemed by the powers that be that by even mentioning a condition implies that one can treat that condtion and therefore implies that such a treatment can 'cure' said condition. There is a fundamental problem with this. Whilst western medicine is primarliy concerned with the treatment of symptoms and conditions, osteopathy (along with all forms of complementary medicine) is based on the holistic approach and therefore works to encourage and work with the health a person already has. So as, with the right impetus and support that person is able to recover or improve their health. At the end of the day the only person that can ultimately 'heal' or 'cure' is the person themself and at best the practitioner can help, support and create a healing environment. Please note that throughout this website I refer to the treatment of people with/without a particular condition as opposed to the treatment of a condition or symptom. This may seem like splitting hairs, but it is key to the principles and philosophy of osteopathy. One wonders how one can treat a condition or symptom and ever hope to address the underlying problem. Arthritis Osteopathy can reduce pain, ease swelling and improve mobility and range of joint movement. 1 / 8
Asthma Treatment is directed at improving breathing mechanics, correcting posturally related problems and removing stresses in order to enhance well being and ultimately reduce the reliance on medication. More Back Pain Doctors agree that physical treatment such as osteopathy can be helpful as early as possible after the onset of symptoms. Most back trouble responds well to osteopathic treatment. Children and babies Osteopathic treatment for children and babies is very gentle and can help correct mechanical problems in growing bodies or problems that develop from earlier knocks or falls. Also see glue ear ( otitis media ) Colic The gentle, skilful application of osteopathic treatment (cranial techniques are frequently used for treating babies) can bring about a significant improvement in such cases, which may be an outcome of a traumatic birth. Cranial Techniques Small tolerances of movement exist within the skull and osteopaths with their highly trained sense of touch can identify and correct disturbances and limitation of tissue mobility, not only in the skull but throughout the body. See also Glue Ear section below. Diagnosis Osteopaths are fully trained in diagnosis and use many of the procedures used in conventional medical assessment and diagnosis. More specific clinical tests may also be done or arranged or a referral made if it is felt necessary. 2 / 8
Driving Osteopaths can give advice on ensuring a comfortable drive, particularly for those who suffer from back pain. Examination what's involved? The initial consultation involves taking a thorough case history covering general health, previous illness, lifestyle and family medical history. The osteopath will then conduct a physical examination, observing the patient s range of movements and joint function and assessing individual tissues. After the examination the osteopath will explain the findings and a suitable course of treatment will be prescribed Feet and ankles Some lower limb and back conditions may stem from an uneven gait (pattern of walking) and this may be due to problems with the feet or ankles. An osteopath will cover this in their initial examination. Finding an osteopath Registered osteopaths can be found through the by telephoning the General Osteopathic Council s advice line (020 7357 6655) or at its website:- GOsC General Osteopathic Council The Osteopaths Act (1993) established the GOsC as the regulatory body for the osteopathic profession. After 9 May 2000 all osteopaths must be registered, with the Council. Glue Ear Recurrent infections in the ear may be due in part to restrictions in the small yet important movements between various bones of the growing skull. An osteopath can often help. More Gynaecological problems Osteopathy can give relief to problems such as endometriosis, menstrual pain and other associated pelvic problems. 3 / 8
Headaches Headaches - A component of the typical tension headache may be poor posture or stresses and strains caused by mechanical problems, all of which can be addressed by an osteopath. Holistic/Holism Indigestion Osteopathy may be able to relieve the discomfort of indigestion. Irritable Bowel Syndrome - IBS Osteopathy can help give relief to the bowel. Jaw Many people find their jaw clicks but when it becomes painful or more frequent osteopathy can be beneficial. Joint stiffness Osteopathy can help increase range of movement to relieve the pain associated with joint stiffness. More Knees Whether through a sporting injury or general wear and tear osteopathy can help relieve knee pain. Ligament & Muscle Strain Strain often accompanies skeletal problems and osteopaths can detect and correct where this occurs. ME - or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) 4 / 8
Some researchers believe it arises from an impaired communication between the central nervous system, the internal organs and the musculo-skeletal components of the body. Clinical trials have successfully demonstrated that a manual treatment programme such as osteopathy can help this debilitating condition. Migraines Tension in neck musculature may be a contributing factor in migraine. Morning sickness Some patients have reported reduced symptoms after osteopathic treatment. Neck Pain Osteopaths can treat chronic or acute pain and treat to prevent pain recurring. Osteopathic treatment Osteopaths use their hands both to discover the underlying causes of pain and to carry out treatment using a variety of manipulative techniques. Osteoporosis Osteopaths can advise on preventative steps to take to avoid development of this disease. They can also help with any associated pain. Pelvic Pain There are a number of causes of such pain (endometriosis, uterine motility and surgery) that osteopathy may be able to address. Pregnancy Osteopathy is a wonderfully gentle way of helping the body adapt to the changes which are taking place. 5 / 8
Posture This can greatly influence the health of the musculo-skeletal system and is frequently assessed by osteopaths. Quality of Life Removing pain and restoring freedom of movement can greatly improve ones quality of life. Rheumatic Pain Osteopathy can help to reduce tissue inflammation and hence pain. RSI - (Repetitive Strain Injury) Osteopaths can advise on workplace posture and treatment can help ease the pain of RSI Sciatica (Leg pain) is a common complaint which is frequently seen and successfully treated by osteopaths. Sport Injuries Osteopathy can help keep you at your training peak and also enable a swift return to sport following strains and overuse injuries. Statutory Regulation As of the 9 May 2000 osteopathy became a Statutory Regulated profession like doctors and dentists and the title Osteopath is restricted by law so that only those registered can use it. Techniques / Tennis Elbow Techniques 6 / 8
These may include soft tissue stretching, rhythmic passive joint movements or high velocity thrust techniques to improve the range of movement of a joint. Gentle release techniques are often used, particularly when treating children or elderly patients. Tennis Elbow This is not only restricted to tennis players! It s a common overuse injury that can be successfully treated with osteopathy. Upper Limb Disorders Symptoms, such as aches, pains, difficulty in movement and swelling can be addressed by an osteopath. Veterinary osteopathy Is used successfully to treat animals from domestic pets to race horses. Visceral osteopathy Osteopaths can treat the internal organs for relief of symptoms from abdominal, digestive, respiratory and pelvic pain. Work Strain Many work related aches and pains ( mouse wrist, computer hump, neck, shoulder or back pain) as well as injury caused by lifting can be relieved through osteopathic treatment. X-rays Osteopaths may refer patients for X-rays if they feel they are necessary for diagnosis and can interpret these in order to plan treatment. An osteopath s skills generally enable diagnosis to be reached without the need for x-rays. However, if thought appropriate the patient will be referred for tests. Young People 7 / 8
Children and teenagers are not immune from musculo-skeletal problems which can be caused by sports activities, hunching over computer games or carrying heavy school bags. Zzzzzz Sleeping Could your bed be part of your back problem? You can obtain advice on choosing a bed from your osteopath. 8 / 8