FAQs about osteopathy

Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. It works with the structure and function of the body and is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues functioning smoothly together.

Osteopaths believe that for your body to work well, its structure must also work well and work to restore your body to a state of balance, where possible without the use of drugs or surgery.

All osteopaths in the UK are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).

Osteopaths are required to renew their registration each year and are provided with an annual licence to allow them to practise.

As of 2017, Osteopaths in the UK joined the group of NHS health practitioners known as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). This is a development which has enabled wider professional engagement and further opportunities to work as an Osteopath both in the NHS and other health professions. This means that Osteopaths are now respected with in both private and public sectors.

Osteopaths are highly trained healthcare professionals who are experts in the musculoskeletal system (joints, muscles and associated tissues) and its relationship to other systems of the body, to keep you as healthy as you can be. 

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.

Osteopaths’ patients include the young, older people, manual workers, office professionals, pregnant women, children and sportspeople. Patients seek treatment for a wide variety of conditions, including back pain, changes to posture in pregnancy, postural problems caused by driving or work strain, the pain of arthritis and minor sports injuries.

You do not need to consult your GP before you visit an osteopath, although you may wish to do so.

Please see a list of conditions that Osteopath’s can treat below:

• Generalised aches and pains
• Arthritic pain
• Acute and chronic back pain
• Joint pain
• Mechanical neck pain
• Cervicogenic headaches
• Shoulder and elbow pain
• Frozen shoulder
• Tennis elbow
• Sciatica
• Muscle spasm
• Neuralgia
• Fibromyalgia
• Rheumatic pain
• Sports injuries and tension

There are many similarities between Osteopath’s and Physiotherapists. They both treat musculoskeletal conditions, have protected titles and require a university degree.

Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. They focus on rehabilitation with the aim of reducing the risk of further injury or illness.

Physiotherapists are trained with an emphasis on exercise-based management which is a vital part of the recovery process along with manual therapy and advice.

Osteopaths use a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. They believe that working with the structure and function of the body is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues functioning smoothly together.

To conclude, both treatments share many similarities, and the difference between the two can often come down to the individual practitioner. No one profession is better than the other, and both are highly effective for treating musculoskeletal conditions.

There are many similarities between Osteopath’s and Chiropractors. They both treat musculoskeletal conditions, have protected titles and require a university degree.

There are a few key differences between Osteopathy and Chiropractic treatment. The most predominant difference is that Chiropractors will focus mainly on the spine whereas Osteopaths take a more holistic approach and concentrate on the whole body.

Another key difference lies in the method of treatment. Osteopaths utilise a wider range of techniques while Chiropractors routinely just perform spinal adjustments. Chiropractors are also more ‘joint focused’ of the two professions.

To conclude, both treatments share many similarities, and the difference between the two can often come down to the individual practitioner. No one profession is better than the other, and both are highly effective for treating musculoskeletal conditions.

It may be necessary for your osteopath to ask you to remove some clothing, so that they can assess the areas of the body causing concern. If you are uncomfortable undressing to your underwear, you can bring with you clothing such as shorts, t-shirt or close fitting garments, that will enable them to work effectively without making you feel uncomfortable. 

Your osteopath will feel for changes in your muscles and joints and examine these areas to identify problems. They may also assess your posture and the way you move. Sometimes the cause of the problem may be in a different area to the pain, so they may examine your whole body. 

The current fees at Osteobeth are £75 for your first visit lasting approximately 60 minutes and £60 for subsequent visits lasting approximately 30 minutes. Please note that these appointment lengths may vary as some conditions need extra time and some require less time. The important point to remember is that your osteopath aims to achieve the maximum benefit for your condition during each treatment session and the fee reflects your osteopaths experience and decision on each occasion.

If you are insured you are expected to settle the bill for each visit personally, you will be sent a receipt so that you can reclaim the fee from your insurance company. Payment can be by credit/debit card.

All payments must be paid in full at the end of each clinic appointment. Please use debit/credit cards or Apple pay where possible. All card machines are sanitised after each use.

Medical acupuncture is a form of pain relief involving the insertion of fine needles into specific points around the body. This is done for preventative or therapeutic purposes and encourages healing and relieves pain in those areas.

• chronic tension-type headaches
• migraines

• chronic pain, such as neck pain
• joint pain
• dental pain
• postoperative pain

Acupuncture can help to relieve pain by stimulating the brain and nervous system to produce pain-relieving chemicals. This is thought to help promote the body’s natural healing process, which can be essential in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.