Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions; based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues functioning smoothly together.
To an osteopath, for your body to work well, its structure must also work well. So osteopaths work to restore your body to a state of balance, where possible without the use of drugs or surgery. Osteopaths use touch, physical manipulation, stretching and massage to increase the mobility of joints, to relieve muscle tension, to enhance the blood and nerve supply to tissues, and to help your body’s own healing mechanisms. They may also provide advice on posture and exercise to aid recovery, promote health and prevent symptoms recurring.
All Osteopaths have to study for four or five years as part of an undergraduate degree, and must by law be registered with the General Osteopathic Council. Osteopathy is recognised by the British Medical Assosciation.
Cranial osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of osteopathic treatment that encourages the release of stresses and tensions throughout the body, including the head and connective tissues.
It is a gentle approach, and may be used in a wide range of conditions for people of all ages, from birth to old age.
Osteopaths may have different specialities including sports injuries, paediatrics, and visceral osteopathy (treating the internal organs of the body). Cranial osteopathy embraces all of these.
Osteopaths’ patients include the young, older people, manual workers, office professionals, pregnant women, children and sports people.
Patients seek help for a wide variety of conditions, including:
