What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a complementary medical therapy using ‘hands on’ diagnosis and treatment of problems and restrictions in the musculo-skeletal system. The name osteopathy (given to the therapy by its founder Dr Still in 1874) comes from the Greek osteon (bone) and pathos (to suffer). In fact osteopaths treat far more than bones, with the main emphasis being on finding the cause of the problem rather than just treating the symptoms; this allows the body to heal itself.
The strength of osteopathy lies in the unique way the patient is assessed encompassing their lifestyle, activities and posture. Osteopaths work with their hands using a wide range of techniques including soft tissue massage, articulating joints, mobilising joints, and subtle techniques releasing tension in tissues or organs. The treatment is tailored to the requirements of the individual patient and techniques chosen depend on the patient and condition.