What is Osteopathy?

As working osteopaths we frequently get asked "What exactly is an osteopath?" The usual response when someone asks what we do for a living is "That's bones isn't it?" or a very blank look.

We are primary healthcare practitioners who treat many of the same things as physiotherapists or chiropractors. Osteo is Greek for bone, however we treat more than just bones; we treat the whole body which is called a holistic approach. We don';t think one structure is more important than another which is why we look at them all, in most cases it is not just a muscle injury or a joint injury as these structure are all closely linked and one will affect the other.

Osteopathy is a recognised system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions, emphasis is placed on the structure and function of the body working together to function smoothly. Mechanical faults can occur due to injury, illness, stress, poor posture and other factors; it is unique for each individual. Injuries may be held in the body long after the actual trauma or stress, or built up gradually over time; if these problems are left untreated it may cause compensatory strains or persistent symptoms of pain. Osteopaths evaluate the balance between the mechanical functioning of the body, against the demands placed on it.

Osteopaths are trained to find the cause of the problem by looking for areas that have been injured, weakened or restricted, this can lead to pain and a change in the body's structure leading to dysfunction. Osteopaths use a number of principles to restore your body to a state of balance focusing on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues and where possible without the use of drugs or surgery.

Once the diagnosis has been made then the osteopath will discuss the personal treatment plan, this is designed to treat the needs of each individual. Osteopaths use touch, manipulation, stretching and tissue massage to improve joint mobility, relax muscle tension, improve blood and nerve supply to tissues with the aim to aid your body';s own healing mechanisms. Osteopaths can offer advice about posture e.g. sitting work posture and exercises e.g. to relax tight muscles which improve recovery and prevent symptoms returning.

Osteopathy is a gentle form of treatment and is suitable for all ages; there is also a large area of Osteopathy dedicated to pre and post natal care and various disabilities. Evidence has shown Osteopathy is effective in treating many problems and conditions, for more information click here to go to "what we treat". Feel free to ask any questions at any time if you are unsure on what has been said or have any concerns.

Please browse the website to get a better understanding of what osteopathy has to offer you, to get a feel for the people who make up Lower Earley Osteopaths and how we aim to help you. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to phone and speak to one of us for more information.