What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy was the first of the complementary therapies to be legally recognised.

Osteopathy is an established, recognised system of diagnosis and treatment that lays its main emphasis on the structural integrity of the body.

The strength of Osteopathy lies in the unique way the patient is assessed from a mechanical, functional and postural viewpoint and the manual methods of treatment applied to suit the needs of the individual patient.

Osteopaths are trained to use their hands to investigate the underlying causes of pain and to treat their patients using a variety of manipulative techniques. These may include muscle and connective tissue stretching, rhythmic joint movements, high velocity thrusts to improve the range of movement of a joint, and gentle release techniques, which are especially useful in the treatment of children or the elderly.

Osteopaths also carry out many of the diagnostic procedures used in a conventional medical assessment and diagnosis.

All the Osteopaths practising at the Summertown Clinic are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOC), which is the governing body for Osteopaths. To be registered with the GOC Osteopaths must have graduated from a recognised college and be properly insured.

Most of the main Private Health Insurers, including BUPA, now cover Osteopathic treatment. If you have private health cover do check with your insurance company to see if they will pay for all or part of your treatment.