What is Osteopathy?
 Osteopathy is a primary healthcare system, complementary to other medical practices. It is suitable for almost anyone and can contribute to alleviating an enormous range of conditions. The BSO regularly treats children, pregnant women, the elderly, shop, office and manual workers, professionals, dancers and sports people.
Osteopaths primarily work through the neuro-musculo-skeletal system, mostly on muscles and joints, and pay special attention to how the internal organs affect, and are affected by, that system. Relevant psychological and social factors also form part of the diagnosis. Another important principle of osteopathy is that the body has its own self-healing mechanisms, which can be utilised as part of the treatment.
What do Osteopaths treat?
 Osteopathy can help relieve chronic or minor problems, provide one-off relief from pain and dysfunction or contribute to the management of long-term complaints.
 joint pain muscular aches, pains, strains and pulls long-standing injuries upper and lower back pain frozen shoulders tennis elbow stiffness and tension asthma problem periods repetitive strain injury respiratory problems sciatica arthritis headache and migraine mobility problems problems and staying well during pregnancy child development and illness sports injuries and sports training enhancement.
How do Osteopaths treat a condition?
 Osteopaths treat the whole person so at the first consultation a detailed case history is compiled, followed by a thorough examination. This may take up to an hour and a half.
The main tool for diagnosis and treatment is touch (palpation). The osteopath will also closely observe movement. A wide range of gentle, safe, non-invasive, manual techniques such as deep tissue massage is used in therapy. Patients may be advised on exercise, posture or diet. X-rays are occasionally used to aid diagnosis.
Some patients need only one treatment, others have a course of therapy or return periodically for the long-term management of a condition.
Patients may be referred by their GP or opt to attend an osteopath independently.
A recognised profession
 In 1993 the Osteopaths Act was passed by Parliament; it formally recognised and regulated the profession. An osteopath must be trained by a recognised institution and registered in order to practise.
Osteopathy is commonly recognised by professionals in the NHS, many of whom make referrals to us when other forms of treatment are not successful or are considered inappropriate.
The above text and graphics have kindly been provided by and are © Copyright of the The British School of Osteopathy.
www.bso.ac.uk
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