Tag Archives: Osteopathy

FAQ No. 1  “What’s the difference between an Osteopath, Chiropractor and a Physio?

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FAQ No. 1  “What’s the difference between an Osteopath, Chiropractor and a Physio?

In the UK, osteopathy, chiropractic, and physiotherapy are distinct healthcare professions that focus on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions. While they share some similarities, they differ in their underlying principles, training, techniques, and regulatory frameworks.

From a patient’s point of view there are a few differences you might find.  All use hands on treatment and will all see a similar type of problem.  Typically, Osteopathic appointments are 30 mins long, similar with a physio and shorter 5-10 minutes with a chiropractor.

Each profession tends to use different ways of working (techniques) to help their patients.  Osteopaths use combinations of soft tissue massage, joints manipulation and stretching and some gentle light touch techniques (e.g. Cranial osteopathy).  They will also advise patients on stretches and exercises to help their progression.

Chiropractors tend to focus on spinal ‘adjustments’ while Physiotherapists do some hands on treatment, they also work through rehab exercises.

Regulation: Osteopaths complete a 4 or 5 year degree course and are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). Only registered osteopaths can use the title “osteopath.”

Chiropractors are regulated by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and complete a 4-5 year degree course. The title “chiropractor” is also legally protected.

Physiotherapists are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). They may also be members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).  They will have completed a 3 year degree course.

There can be a lot of similarity between the disciplines and ultimately you are best to work with someone who you feel understands your issues and works in a way that suits you, whether you are 20 or 90 years old.  In practice, there is overlap, and some professionals may incorporate elements from other disciplines. The choice between them often depends on personal preference, specific symptoms, and the practitioner’s expertise

For more information on Osteopathy visit The General Osteopathic Council www.osteopathy.org.uk or The Institute of Osteopathy www.iosteopathy.org

Osteopathic Treatment for Low Back Pain: A Natural Approach to Relief

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Osteopathic Treatment for Low Back Pain: A Natural Approach to Relief

Low back pain is one of the most common health issues in the UK, affecting millions of people at some point in their lives. Whether caused by poor posture, injuries, or prolonged sitting, this condition can significantly impact daily life. Fortunately, osteopathic treatment offers a natural and effective way to manage and alleviate low back pain.

What Is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on the musculoskeletal system—the muscles, bones, and joints. It aims to restore balance and function by treating the root causes of pain, rather than just the symptoms. Osteopaths use a variety of hands-on techniques, including gentle manipulation, stretching, and massage, to improve mobility, reduce muscle tension, and enhance circulation.

How Does Osteopathy Help Low Back Pain?

Osteopathic treatment for low back pain typically involves:

  • Soft tissue manipulation: to relieve muscle tightness and tension in the lower back.
  • Joint mobilization: to improve the range of motion and reduce stiffness in the spine.
  • Postural advice: to correct improper posture that may be contributing to pain.
  • Exercise prescription: to strengthen core muscles and prevent future episodes of back pain.

What to Expect from Treatment

During an osteopathic consultation, your practitioner will take a detailed medical history and assess your posture, movement, and any areas of discomfort. Treatment is tailored to your specific condition, whether it’s a muscle strain, disc issue, or chronic pain. Osteopathy is suitable for all ages and can be used alongside other medical treatments or therapies.

Why Choose Osteopathy for Low Back Pain?

  • Drug-free approach: Osteopathy avoids the use of painkillers, focusing on long-term relief.
  • Whole-body focus: Osteopaths consider the entire body’s structure and function, addressing contributing factors such as muscle imbalances and posture.
  • Personalized care: Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual, ensuring specific needs are met.

Finding an Osteopath in the UK

Osteopathy is a regulated profession in the UK, and qualified osteopaths are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). This ensures that you receive safe and effective care. If you’re struggling with low back pain and looking for an osteopath in Clevedon please contact the practice for more information.

By treating the underlying causes of pain and supporting the body’s natural healing process, osteopathy provides a gentle and holistic solution for low back pain.

Osteopathy and headaches

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Headaches and Osteopathy

Recently on the BBC there has a been a programme (Doctor in the house) that showed how a lady with long standing and very painful headaches was greatly helped by a course of hands on manual therapy.

This certainly can be the case for the right type of headache.  In this example the lady had upper neck dysfunction thought to relate back to a car accident many years before.  The changes in how her neck had worked and supported it’s self had led to irritation of nerves that come out from the top of the neck and travel over the head.  When these nerves (Greater Occipital nerves) are affected in this way it can lead to a neuralgia, i.e. nerve pain.  Commonly this pain will be one sided and often end up above or around the eye.  Osteopathic treatment can work very well in addressing the mechanical aspects of the neck dysfunction and stop the irritation of the nerve at its source.

As in the above example previous trauma can play its part (such as car accidents or bad falls etc) or they can result from a build up of tension in the upper neck relating to posture or stress.

There are many different causes to headache and some are certainly more serious and need medical assessment.  If you had other symptoms such as changes to your vision (particularly double vision), dizziness, nausea / vomiting, problems with speech or if the pain is very severe for no apparent reason then you should seek medical advice first.  Thankfully only a very small proportion of headaches relate to serious underlying causes.

 

Institute of Osteopathy Annual Conference

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November 2016 was a busy month for CPD, we attended the Institute of Osteopathy (www.osteopathy.org) conference. The main themes were Headaches and the role of Osteopathy in their management. The new NICE guidelines on Low back pain management and broader discussions on ‘Reaching out’ with Osteopathy to help more people in the community.

The time spent at the iO conference counts toward our annual CPD (Continuing Professional Development) commitment.  At present all Osteopaths have to complete 30 hrs of CPD a year.  This is a great opportunity to explore interesting areas and deepen our knowledge base.  All of which should reflect in the care that we can provide to our patients.