What is Osteopathy?

Definition of osteopathy

Osteopathy is a system of healthcare that stresses the importance of the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system in both health and disease. It is a way of detecting and treating damaged parts of the body such as muscles, ligaments and joints manually.

Osteopathic assessment

The Osteopath will use his/her hands to assess the state, mobility and physical alignment of the body’s tissue. Once the diagnosis and cause of the dysfunction is ascertained, the osteopath will use their hands to treat the dysfunction. Oftentimes dysfunction can be due to a specific event such as an accident, or due to an accumulative trauma to a certain part of the body as in a repetitive strain injury or wear and tear. Osteopathic treatment

One of the axioms of osteopathy is that “The body is a unit”. As such a whole body diagnosis and treatment approach is held by many osteopaths as a significant factor in healing. Treatment of a condition may vary from person to person and the osteopath may treat areas that are not necessarily those that hurt. Treatment usually involves both muscle and joint manipulation, this will help restore physiological and biomechanical function.

Lifestyle advice

Conditions however could be related to lifestyle, and after an in depth consultation, your osteopath will not only be able to treat your condition, but give important advice on lifestyle factors which may be causing and or maintaining your condition.

Regulation of osteopathy

Osteopathy as with many other professions has professional regulation. It is illegal for an individual to call themselves an osteopath unless they are registered with the General Osteopathic Council. Knowing that your Osteopath is regulated and has received training as outlined by the General Osteopathic Council will give the patient confidence that they are in safe hands. Osteopaths at all Happy Health Clinics are registered with the General Osteopathic Council.