Osteopathy is a form of treatment that has grown in popularity in recent years. It focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal conditions and the manipulation of joints and soft tissue to help alleviate pain. But what exactly does an osteopath do? Let’s take a look.
An osteopath will use a range of techniques to diagnose your condition before providing you with a tailored treatment plan. This may include looking at your medical history, carrying out physical examinations, taking X-rays or referring you for further tests. They will then discuss the best way to go about treating your condition, which could include advice on lifestyle changes, exercise or diet as well as more specific treatments such as joint manipulation or massage.
Manipulation is one of the key techniques used by osteopaths to treat musculoskeletal conditions. It involves using short, quick movements to realign muscles and joints in order to improve their function and reduce pain. The technique can be used on any part of the body but is most commonly used on the spine as it is thought to be beneficial for back pain, sciatica and other spinal-related issues.
Soft tissue massage can also be used by osteopaths as part of their treatment plans. It involves manipulating soft tissue such as tendons and ligaments in order to relieve tension and promote healing within the body. Soft tissue massage is often used alongside manipulation techniques in order to provide added relief from pain and stiffness caused by musculoskeletal disorders or injuries.
Osteopathy can be an effective means of treating various musculoskeletal issues such as back pain, sciatica, sports injuries and more. An experienced osteopath uses a combination of manipulation techniques, soft tissue massage and lifestyle advice in order to relieve pain and improve function within the body’s musculoskeletal system.
If you think that osteopathy may be able to help you with your condition then it is worth speaking to your doctor or GP who can refer you for an assessment with an
experienced osteopathy
practitioner.