What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is renowned for rapidly resolving low back pain, but its scope is, much, much broader. In the UK alone, more than 20,000 people every working day benefit from Osteopathic treatment for a myriad of conditions from headaches to hammer toes and dizziness to digestive problems.

Osteopathy is the science of human mechanics. It is an established and widely recognised system for diagnosing and treating problems caused by both structural and physiological imbalances within the body.

Those imbalances can occur for many reasons including a difficult birth, prolonged sitting in a poor chair, a childhood injury or simply tripping up a kerb. They can also happen to anyone – from babies to the elderly, office workers to sportsmen and women.

At the heart of Osteopathy is the effective functioning of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. This is the largest system in the human body and is made up of muscles, bone, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and nerves. The cardiovascular, digestive, circulatory, and neurological systems are all key to the optimal operation of the neuro-musculo–skeletal system and vice–versa. Correct mechanical functioning of this system, therefore, is essential to everyday life – from walking and eating to playing sport and operating a TV remote control.

Osteopathy ensures effective functioning of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system by restoring balance and harmony.

In particular, it focuses on identifying areas of restricted mobility, then working on the associated joints and muscles to reduce inflammation relax the muscles and increase blood supply in and out of the affected area. This not only helps to boost mobility and relieve pain in the immediate region but can also have a far-reaching effect on overall posture, health and well-being.