What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a safe, non-invasive, hands-on therapy designed to help your body move freely, reduce pain and restore function. Unlike treatments that focus on symptoms alone, osteopathy looks for the root cause of your discomfort, addressing muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments to create lasting results.
Using a combination of expert assessment, soft tissue techniques, joint mobilisations, stretching and gentle manipulations, our osteopaths tailor each session specifically to your body, your condition, and your goals. Every technique is applied with your consent and comfort in mind.
What conditions do you treat at OsteoBath?
At OsteoBath we help people move better and feel stronger across a wide range of conditions:
Back & Neck: Chronic or acute pain, sciatica, disc injuries, muscle spasms, scoliosis
Shoulders, Elbows & Hands: Frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injuries, tendonitis, tennis & golfer’s elbow
Hips & Knees: Hip pain, knee pain, ligament injuries, tendonopathies, osteoarthritis
Feet & Ankles: Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon issues, Ankle sprains
Other: Headaches, migraines, repetitive strain injuries (RSI), posture-related pain, work injuries, general aches, pregnancy and post natal
Not sure if your condition is listed? Call us we may still be able to help.
What happens during an osteopathic session?
On your first visit we will begin by taking a detailed case history of your symptoms and medical history. The osteopath will assess your posture and range of movements. If necessary they may carry out orthopeadic tests used in normal medical assessment. A diagnosis and management plan will be discussed followed by specifically tailored hands-on treatment. The initial consultation can last up to one hour. Follow up sessions are 30 minutes. Exercises and advice on pain prevention will be given to you.
Is Osteopathy safe?
Yes, osteopathy is a safe complementary form of medicine. Osteopaths go through 4-5 years of intensive training and must complete a minimum of 30 hours of continued professional development every year to keep up to date and fully registered. The safety of osteopathy has been extensively studied, and the consensus in the medical community is that it is a generally safe and effective treatment option when performed by a qualified and registered osteopath. However, as with any medical treatment, there are potential risks and contraindications, which are important to understand.
Scientific Evidence on the Safety and effectiveness of Osteopathy
A study published in the Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy reviewed the safety and efficacy of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and found it to be a safe intervention with minimal adverse effects when performed by trained professionals. The study highlighted that the risk of serious complications, such as vertebral artery dissection, is extremely low, especially when compared to the overall benefits of the treatment specific Safety Concerns: In some cases, certain conditions may contraindicate osteopathic treatment. For instance, individuals with osteoporosis, bone fractures, or severe spinal conditions may require a modified approach or may need to avoid certain manipulative techniques altogether. Our expert osteopaths at OsteoBath are trained to assess these risks and tailor their treatment plans accordingly. A systematic review in The Spine Journal emphasises the importance of careful patient selection and the use of appropriate techniques to minimise any potential risks associated with spinal manipulation .
Our osteopaths undergo extensive training and carry out continued professional development to ensure they can provide safe and effective care. Their education includes a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and clinical skills, enabling them to recognise when osteopathic treatment is appropriate and when it may pose risks.
Key Safety Practices in Osteopathy:
Thorough Patient Assessment: Before starting any treatment, our osteopaths conduct a detailed medical history and physical examination to identify any underlying conditions that may contraindicate certain osteopathic techniques.
Informed Consent: Patients are informed about the nature of the treatment, potential risks, and expected outcomes, allowing them to make an informed decision about their care.
Customised Treatment Plans: Our osteopaths tailor their techniques to the individual needs of each patient, ensuring that the treatment is both safe and effective.
Ongoing Monitoring: Throughout the treatment process, our osteopaths monitor the patient’s response to therapy, adjusting the treatment plan as necessary to ensure safety and optimal outcomes.
Is OsteoBath the right clinic for you?
At Osteobath we pride ourselves on building strong relationship with patients, attending to your needs and making your wellbeing our priority. We are dedicated to delivering the highest quality patient care and work to the highest standard in everything we do.