Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that uses touch and manipulation to treat musculoskeletal disorders. Your osteopath may also suggest lifestyle changes to help prevent the recurrence of your symptoms.
Osteopaths are government-registered allied health professionals who take time to listen and assess your condition. They are trained to recognise when osteopathic treatment isn’t suitable and will refer you for medical treatment if necessary.
An osteopathic treatment session is very gentle. You might feel a little sore or tired afterwards, especially if you’ve had back pain or neck pain. You should drink plenty of water to help flush toxins from your body.
Doctors of osteopathic medicine (D.O.s) receive the same basic medical training as other physicians, but they are taught to look at your whole person and how environmental factors affect your health and well-being. They use both osteopathic manipulative treatment and conventional medical treatments to diagnose and treat illness and disease.
Osteopathy was founded in 1874 by a Missouri physician, Andrew Taylor Still. He believed that many health problems stem from improper musculoskeletal function and that the body’s natural healing ability could be restored by manual manipulation, diet and exercise, rather than drugs or surgery.
Doctors of osteopathic medicine are specially trained in your neuromusculoskeletal system — the interconnected network of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of your total body mass. This training, along with the philosophy that the structure and function of your body are interconnected, enhances their diagnostic and treatment skills.