Osteopathy

What is osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a well-established healthcare profession, recognised by Government and the General Medical Council. It is a system of diagnosis and treatment focusing on the whole body, which works by restoring the body’s structural and functional balance. It is a profession that utilises a patient-focused, physical approach to restoring, maintaining and promoting physical and psychosocial wellbeing.

Osteopathy recognises that much of the pain and disability we suffer stems from abnormalities in function of body structure, as well as damage caused to it by disease. When the body is balanced and working more efficiently, it will function with the minimum of wear and tear, leading to physical and emotional wellbeing.

Yew Tree Clinic osteopaths

We commonly treat people of all ages and fitness levels from the newborn to the elderly, manual workers, office professionals, pregnant women, children, babies and sports people.
By focusing on the individual and addressing the structural imbalances and lifestyle issues causing the symptom pattern, we are able to help a wide variety of conditions. These include back pain, headaches, repetitive strain injury, changes to posture in pregnancy and associated discomfort, postural problems caused by driving or work strain, the pain and stiffness of arthritis and minor sports injuries.

Our osteopaths use a wide range of gentle techniques including physical manipulation, stretching, soft tissue release, joint mobilization and cranial techniques to increase the mobility of joints, to relieve muscle tension, to enhance the blood and nerve supply to tissues, and encourage your body’s own healing mechanisms. We advise on lifestyle issues and posture, and give specific exercises to aid recovery, to prevent symptoms recurring and to promote long-term physical and emotional wellbeing.

Types of osteopathy

Structural and classical osteopathy techniques – a safe and effective ‘hands on’ therapy suitable for treating a wide range of pain and dysfunction in adults, children, pregnant women and the elderly. Problems in the musculo-skeletal system can disturb the circulation and nerve supply to any part of the body and affect any aspect of health. Mechanical problems can lead not only to aches and pains in joints and muscles, but also to disturbances in the internal organs and the way they function. Osteopaths work on body’s structure to restore the musculo-skeletal system to a state of balance and harmony. The restoration and maintenance of good structural function is essential to good health.

Regulation and protection of osteopathy

All osteopaths in the UK are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). It is against the law for anyone to call themselves an osteopath unless they are registered with the General Osteopathic Council.

Osteopaths are required to renew their registration each year, have current professional indemnity insurance, remain in good health and of good character, and have met mandatory continuing professional development requirements.

Links

The British Osteopathic Association	www.osteopathy.org
The General Osteopathic Council	www.osteopathy.org.uk
The National Council of Osteopathic Research	www.ncor.org.uk

Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to arrange a treatment.

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