Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that can have beneficial effects for a variety of muscle and joint conditions. An osteopath will spend time talking with you to understand more about you and your symptoms, along with your medical history and lifestyle. I will carry out a thorough examination which will involve touching the area of the body that hurts, and some general movement and specific testing if required. This will help me to provide as accurate a diagnosis as possible for the cause of your pain.

I may ask about other influences which may affect you, such as your daily activities, hobbies, your diet and sleeping patterns. Sometimes the cause of the problem may be in a different area to the pain, so I may examine your whole body.

Osteopaths use a wide range of gentle hands-on techniques that focus on releasing tension, stretching muscles and mobilising joints. This is often used together with exercise and helpful advice designed to help you manage your pain, keep active and maintain the best of health. Your treatment will be tailored to you as an individual, and this helps to ensure you are comfortable with the treatment plan. In some instances, you may be referred you to your GP for further investigation.

Some of the things osteopathy can help with are:

generalised aches and pains including arthritic pain

back and neck pain

headache arising from the neck (cervicogenic) / migraine prevention

frozen shoulder / shoulder and elbow pain / tennis elbow

circulatory problems

muscle spasms

minor sports injuries and tensions

Close up of detail of female physiotherapist doing shoulder blade treatment on patient.

You can find more information about the things we treat here: www.osteopathy.org/what-we-treat

Cranial Osteopathy

Cranial osteopathy is a gentle, hands-on treatment approach that focuses on the subtle, rhythmic movements that are felt throughout the body. It aims to restore balance and improve overall well-being by addressing restrictions in the body’s natural movement. Though the name suggests a focus on the head, cranial osteopathy can influence the entire body, including the spine and nervous system.

You may find this differs to a more traditional osteopathic treatment which may use more direct techniques. Many patients report feeling deeply relaxed during and after treatment, with some experiencing improvements in sleep, stress levels, and overall health.

It is particularly popular for those sensitive to stronger manual therapy techniques. If you have any other questions about this form of osteopathy, please get in touch.

Frequently asked questions: