Osteopathy is a holistic healthcare approach focused on the musculoskeletal system (e.g., muscles, joints, spine). It addresses physical imbalances to improve overall health. Osteopaths, who are government-registered, use hands-on techniques, exercise rehab, lifestyle advice, and other interventions to support healing while aiming to treat the root cause, not just symptoms.
Osteopaths often prescribe tailored exercise rehab to support recovery and strengthen the musculoskeletal system. It helps restore function, improve mobility, and reduce pain, whether for back pain, sports injuries, or chronic conditions. By actively participating in targeted exercises, patients reinforce osteopathic treatment benefits, address imbalances, and lower the risk of re-injury. Gradually increasing intensity, these exercises build resilience, improve performance, and enhance overall well-being, making osteopathic care more effective.
Whether for sports, posture, stability, or general confidence in your ability to move, taping is a great adjunct to osteopathic treatment. While not a long-term solution, taping can help get you back to where you want to be while helping to reduce pain, tightness, or other issues around the body.
Osteopaths take a holistic approach, recognising the link between the body’s structure and function. Along with hands-on treatment, they offer lifestyle advice on posture, exercise, ergonomics, nutrition, stress, and sleep, tailored to each patient. This guidance helps prevent recurring issues, enhances treatment effectiveness, and empowers patients. Since many musculoskeletal problems stem from daily habits, osteopaths recommend specific changes to reduce pain, improve mobility, and boost overall wellbeing, based on a thorough assessment of the patient's needs.
Osteopaths may use dry needling to relieve muscle pain, enhance mobility, and improve function. It involves inserting fine, sterile needles into specific trigger points in areas of muscle tightness or spasm contributing to pain. Dry needling helps reduce muscle tension, improve blood flow, and stimulate the body’s natural healing response, offering relief from musculoskeletal pain. Often combined with manual therapy, dry needling targets deeper muscle layers that are hard to treat by hands-on methods alone.
Osteopaths use diagnostic assessments, including medical history, physical exams, and clinical tests, to identify the root cause of symptoms. They may refer patients for imaging, like X-rays or MRIs, if further information is needed.
If a condition is beyond osteopathy's scope or needs specialist care, osteopaths refer patients to GPs or specialists. This ensures patients receive comprehensive, coordinated care for their specific health needs.
