WHAT IS OSTEOPATHY?

Osteopath providing personalised treatment during a home visit

Osteopathy is a holistic approach to healthcare that considers how the body’s structure (bones, joints, muscles, nerves) influences its function. Instead of treating symptoms in isolation, an osteopath looks for underlying patterns of imbalance and works to restore harmony.

Osteopaths are allied health professionals, similar in status to physiotherapists and chiropractors, and they operate under regulated professional standards in the UK.

Osteopath assessing movement and posture during a home visit
How Osteopaths Are Trained & Regulated
✔ Osteopaths complete a recognised university degree (BSc or integrated Master’s), typically 4–5 years.
✔ Degrees include at least 1,000 hours of supervised clinical training with real patients.
✔ The title “osteopath” is protected by law — practitioners must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).
✔ Osteopaths complete yearly continuing professional development (CPD) and maintain strict professional standards.
✔ This training ensures osteopaths can assess medical safety, adapt treatment, and recognise when referral is necessary.
Hands-on osteopathy treatment demonstrating safe and regulated care

Two Complementary Approaches to Care

1. Ongoing Support During Pain or Flare-Ups

Gentle osteopathy treatment focused on pain relief and comfort

Osteopathy can help you cope better during difficult periods of pain by:

  • Monitoring and adapting treatment as symptoms change
  • Reducing discomfort and improving daily function
  • Offering stress-management strategies
  • Helping you reframe your experience of pain so it feels less overwhelming

2. Therapeutic Approach — Addressing Root Causes

Osteopath guiding exercise rehabilitation and movement coaching

This approach focuses on uncovering and resolving underlying issues. It may include:

  • Manual therapy: dry needling, massage, manipulation, and mobilisation
  • Exercise rehabilitation & prescription to restore strength and mobility
  • Lifestyle & education: posture, ergonomics, sleep, and stress management
  • Reflective coaching to help you change unhelpful habits and movement patterns

Conditions Osteopathy Can Help With

Osteopathy helping with various physical conditions
  • ✅ Back and neck pain
  • ✅ Sports injuries and recovery
  • ✅ Pregnancy-related discomfort
  • ✅ Chronic pain management
  • ✅ Posture and work-related strain
  • ✅ Joint stiffness and reduced mobility
  • ✅ Arthritis and age-related conditions
  • ✅ Stress and tension-related symptoms

Osteopathy FAQs