Osteopath Marylebone London

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a type of manual therapy that diagnoses and treats a wide range of conditions. An Osteopath emphasises the restoration of the structure and function of the human body by encouraging its innate ability to heal itself. They use various techniques on muscles, joints and viscera to help relieve tensions, thus improving mobility, enhancing blood circulation and promoting health.

What are the 4 types of Osteopathy?

There are several distinct styles of osteopathic treatment, and whilst some osteopaths will draw on several, others will focus essentially on one form only.

Structural Osteopathy

The majority of osteopaths will practice in a structural manner, which is a combination of muscular stretching, joint articulations and joint manipulations (if appropriate). The treatment is aimed at moving joints and stretching muscles to affect the blood circulation, nervous system function, and organ health.

Classical Osteopathy

Classical Osteopathy is designed to treat your whole posture. It follows a specific routine for hands-on treatment, but with more traditional principles; the treatment aims to remove restrictions to give your body the best chance of finding health.

Cranial Osteopathy

A more gentle and subtle approach involves holding and interacting with the patient’s fluid dynamics and tensions. Small movements in the bones, mainly of the head and sacrum (but also other areas), are crucial for health, as they can become restricted by trauma or injury. Cranial osteopathy focuses on removing these restrictions and encourages overall physical well-being.

Visceral Osteopathy

This approach looks at the relationship between your posture and your organs (viscera), such as the digestive tract or respiratory system. Your viscera may be treated directly to reduce stresses developed by poor posture, diet or lifestyle pressures. Visceral treatment can aid digestive tract movement, the good function of abdominal organs, and the lungs.

How long does it take to become an Osteopath?

Osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners who are trained to know when it is best to treat or when to refer patients. Osteopathy requires 4-6 years of master’s study, which involves studying various topics like anatomy and physiology. There is a significant practical component with osteopathic technique and treating local community members in the final 2 years at the clinics. Our team, Eleonora Sansoni and Matthew Glithero, both studied at the University College of Osteopathy near London Bridge. They are registered with the governing body (General Osteopathic Council) and are fully insured in our London osteopathy clinic.

How did it begin?

Osteopathy was founded in Kirksville, America, in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still. He was an American physician who recognised the body’s natural ability to heal from ill health when functioning effectively. Motivated by the three deaths of his children during a pandemic, he wanted to find an alternative to the medical approach, medicines and surgeries offered at the time. Osteopathy came to Britain with John Martin Littlejohn (one of Still’s early students) in 1913, who returned to London to practice. He set up the first osteopathic school in the country (British School of Osteopathy) and served as Dean for 40 years. Today, there are over 5,000 Registered Osteopaths in the UK.

Is Osteopathy considered to be an alternative therapy?

Osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners who are able to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions or refer when necessary. Osteopathy is considered to be a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). These are treatments that fall outside of mainstream healthcare.

Who regulates Osteopathy?

The General Osteopathic Council is the statutory regulator for Osteopathy in the UK. Their powers were awarded to them by Parliament under the Osteopaths Act in 1993. By law, Osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). Osteopaths are required to renew their registration each year. As part of this process, the GOsC checks that they have the correct insurance, are meeting professional development requirements and remain in good health.

Do Osteopaths crack your back?

They can, Osteopaths can manipulate your joints, which can produce an audible cracking noise. We would only perform this technique with your consent, if we feel it’s appropriate for you and after talking through your history. We are not breaking your bones and not putting joints back into place. If you do hear a click or pop when an osteopath manipulates your joints, this is the sound of gas leaving the joint capsule.

It is a safe technique for the right person at the right time. There is a slight chance you may feel sore or feel worse the following day after a treatment, but then you should feel better. This will be discussed within treatments. We see plenty of patients who do not require manipulation as part of their treatment plan.