Osteopathy
Welcome to our Osteopathy page. Here you will find more information on Osteopathy and how it could help you.
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What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a recognised and established science that studies human mechanics. It uses a system of diagnosis and treatment which lays its main emphasis on the structural and mechanical issues within the human body. Osteopathy is a hands-on therapy and Osteopaths are highly skilled in their sense of touch which they use to assess and treat their patients using various techniques.
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Dr B Gregory
Dr B Gregory
"As a professional gardener, I have suffered a variety of back problems over the years. Jo has helped tremendously every time. I would be struggling in my line of work without the treatment and it is very reassuring to know that I can call on Jo to sort my issues out. Thanks Jo!"
Jane Ward
Jane Ward
“Fantastic, Jo is a miracle worker, Friday morning I couldn't move but after one session I managed a nursing night shift! I Can't recommend her highly enough!”
Amanda Rudd
Amanda Rudd
Osteopathy at Easingwold Osteopaths
Our Osteopaths use a holistic approach to healing. They treat the person as a whole and will endeavour to find the root cause of a problem rather than only treating the symptoms.
During their 4-year university training, our Osteopaths become highly skilled in their sense of touch (palpation) and they use these skills to assess structural imbalances within the body and dysfunction within the joints, muscles, bones and connective tissues of the musculoskeletal system. Once a diagnosis has been made, they use highly skilled techniques to treat their patients.
During their 4-year university training, our Osteopaths become highly skilled in their sense of touch (palpation) and they use these skills to assess structural imbalances within the body and dysfunction within the joints, muscles, bones and connective tissues of the musculoskeletal system. Once a diagnosis has been made, they use highly skilled techniques to treat their patients.
Treatments vary from patient to patient but may include
- Soft tissue massage
- Joint articulation with varying degrees of subtlety
- Rhythmic stretching
- Joint manipulation
- High-Velocity-Thrust manipulation (HVT)
- Muscle Energy Technique (MET)
- Exercise prescription
What Can Osteopathy Help?
Osteopathy is best known for the treatment in the following areas
Back Pain
Back Ache
Sciatica
Arthritic Pain
Muscle Spasm
Muscle Tension
Joint Pain
Migraine Prevention
(Cervicogenic) Headaches
Hip Pain and Knee Pain from Osteoarthritis
Back Ache
Sciatica
Arthritic Pain
Muscle Spasm
Muscle Tension
Joint Pain
Migraine Prevention
(Cervicogenic) Headaches
Hip Pain and Knee Pain from Osteoarthritis
Neck Pain
Shoulder Pain
Sports Injury
Frozen Shoulder
Elbow Pain
Tennis/ Golfer's Elbow
Neuralgia
Fibromyalgia
Digestive problems
To Aid Relaxation
Shoulder Pain
Sports Injury
Frozen Shoulder
Elbow Pain
Tennis/ Golfer's Elbow
Neuralgia
Fibromyalgia
Digestive problems
To Aid Relaxation
Whilst these are a list of conditions an Osteopath can help with, Osteopaths treat the person not the condition. They may find the root cause of a condition from elsewhere within the body and will aim to improve this too so that your condition does not return. Whilst we are best known for treating backs, it is not all we do! Patients often report improvement in many areas of their health, not just the symptomatic area.
What to Expect
Consultation
Your Osteopath will take a comprehensive case history which will cover a full medical history as well as your current area of concern.
Examination
Observations of posture and movement patterns will then take place. Further clinical and orthopaedic tests may be carried out to ascertain a diagnosis.
Treatment
If appropriate, treatment will then take place and may include techniques such as soft tissue massage, joint articulation & mobilisation, stretching, joint manipulation and exercise prescription. When treatment is not appropriate, your Osteopath will discuss your options with you and assist you with a plan going forwards. Some cases may involve referral to your GP, referral for a scan or referral to an alternative practitioner within the clinic.
Treatment plan
Very few issues resolve in 1 session. In a recent audit of the clinic over 60% of our patients have their problem resolved within 3 visits, and 90% within 6 treatments. If you are suffering from a long-term problem, it may take longer to notice an improvement. Additionally, many patients elect to attend for maintenance treatments to keep on top of symptoms so that flare up’s do not occur as regularly.
Long term
If you are suffering from a long term, problem it may take longer to notice an improvement or for the issue to fully resolve. Quite often the longer an issue has been there for, the longer it takes to resolve.
Maintenance
Additionally, more people are recognising that certain conditions need ongoing care and they elect to attend for regular maintenance treatments to keep on top of symptoms, attending anywhere between once per month and once per year.
We have signed up to the Institute of Osteopathy Patient Charter which demonstrates our commitment to high standards of patient care. You can view the Charter here.
Your Osteopath will take a comprehensive case history which will cover a full medical history as well as your current area of concern.
Examination
Observations of posture and movement patterns will then take place. Further clinical and orthopaedic tests may be carried out to ascertain a diagnosis.
Treatment
If appropriate, treatment will then take place and may include techniques such as soft tissue massage, joint articulation & mobilisation, stretching, joint manipulation and exercise prescription. When treatment is not appropriate, your Osteopath will discuss your options with you and assist you with a plan going forwards. Some cases may involve referral to your GP, referral for a scan or referral to an alternative practitioner within the clinic.
Treatment plan
Very few issues resolve in 1 session. In a recent audit of the clinic over 60% of our patients have their problem resolved within 3 visits, and 90% within 6 treatments. If you are suffering from a long-term problem, it may take longer to notice an improvement. Additionally, many patients elect to attend for maintenance treatments to keep on top of symptoms so that flare up’s do not occur as regularly.
Long term
If you are suffering from a long term, problem it may take longer to notice an improvement or for the issue to fully resolve. Quite often the longer an issue has been there for, the longer it takes to resolve.
Maintenance
Additionally, more people are recognising that certain conditions need ongoing care and they elect to attend for regular maintenance treatments to keep on top of symptoms, attending anywhere between once per month and once per year.
We have signed up to the Institute of Osteopathy Patient Charter which demonstrates our commitment to high standards of patient care. You can view the Charter here.
More on Osteopathy
Patients
Osteopaths treat a wide variety of patients of all ages and body types. They are professionally trained to be able to adjust their techniques to suit the individual. Our day-to-to practice includes the treatment of pregnant women, sports people, children & babies and the elderly.
Training
Osteopathy is a fully regulated medical profession and the title Osteopath is protected by law. Osteopaths undertake 4-5 years of university training at specialist colleges and are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council.
Intervention
Your Osteopath will be trained to deliver a broad range of interventions which may include manual therapy, health management advice, exercise prescription, posture advice, onward referral and others.
Technique
Our Osteopaths adapt their techniques to suit the individual’s needs and their presenting complaint. The manual therapy techniques they use may include the articulation and manipulation of the joints and soft tissue structures of the body.
Regulation
Osteopaths have been regulated by statute since 1993 by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and may refer to conditions for which medical supervision should be sought if they hold convincing evidence of the efficacy of their treatments.
Referral
The British Medical Association guidance for GPs states that doctors can safely refer patients to osteopaths. Although Osteopathy is not offered widely on the NHS under its current framework. Osteopaths are professionally trained to screen for medical conditions and will tell you if you need to see another health professional such as your doctor or midwife.
Osteopaths treat a wide variety of patients of all ages and body types. They are professionally trained to be able to adjust their techniques to suit the individual. Our day-to-to practice includes the treatment of pregnant women, sports people, children & babies and the elderly.
Training
Osteopathy is a fully regulated medical profession and the title Osteopath is protected by law. Osteopaths undertake 4-5 years of university training at specialist colleges and are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council.
Intervention
Your Osteopath will be trained to deliver a broad range of interventions which may include manual therapy, health management advice, exercise prescription, posture advice, onward referral and others.
Technique
Our Osteopaths adapt their techniques to suit the individual’s needs and their presenting complaint. The manual therapy techniques they use may include the articulation and manipulation of the joints and soft tissue structures of the body.
Regulation
Osteopaths have been regulated by statute since 1993 by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and may refer to conditions for which medical supervision should be sought if they hold convincing evidence of the efficacy of their treatments.
Referral
The British Medical Association guidance for GPs states that doctors can safely refer patients to osteopaths. Although Osteopathy is not offered widely on the NHS under its current framework. Osteopaths are professionally trained to screen for medical conditions and will tell you if you need to see another health professional such as your doctor or midwife.
Osteopath vs. Chiropractor - What's the difference?
“What is the difference between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor?” This is something we are regularly asked by patients. You will find we actually have more similarities than differences…
Similarites
Both professions;
The main difference between the two professions is the philosophy of Osteopathy and Chiropractic…
Differences
What they treat
Osteopaths are trained to take a more holistic approach to treatment and view the body as a whole. They believe all muscles, bones, ligaments and connective tissues work in sequence together. A Chiropractor would mostly be concerned with the health of the spine and the affect this has on the rest of the body. But they may treat the shoulders, hips and knees too.
How they assess
A significant portion of an Osteopath’s training is dedicated to developing a highly sensitive sense of touch (palpation). They use their hands to analysis the structural and functional imbalances within the musculoskeletal system. A Chiropractor may prefer to use diagnostic equipment such as X-Ray or MRI scans to determine the position of the spine and its joints. An Osteopath may be concerned with the relationship between various joints and how they move together, giving them information on the root cause of an injury. Whereas a Chiropractor may be more concerned with their position and ‘alignment’.
How they treat
Osteopaths tend to use a broader range of techniques. As well as the spinal manipulations, they also utilise more gentle ‘indirect’ techniques where necessary. These techniques are used to observe very subtle strains throughout the body that may have developed over many years or decades. Osteopaths also frequently use soft tissue massage and stretching techniques.
Although some Chiropractors may opt to work on muscles, many will primarily focus on manipulating the spine, known as ‘adjustments’. A Chiropractor may also be found using a small hand-held device to treat joints of the spine. The Activator Method involves using a spring-loaded instrument called and Activator Adjusting Instrument that delivers a single thrust to a joint which may result in an audible ‘click’.
Treatment length and frequency
Osteopath sessions typically last between 30-45mins.
As a typical Chiropractor session mostly involves ‘adjustments’, their sessions tend to be a bit shorter at 15-20mins.
Osteopath treatments may be advised around once a week initially (or twice a week in acute cases) and pay as they go. As the patient’s condition improves they will attend less and less frequently dependent on their individual needs.
Chiropractic sessions are sometimes sold as courses or block bookings. In the example of 10 sessions being advised by the Chiropractor, the 10 sessions may be sold as a block and the patient may visit 2-3 times per week for several weeks until the course is complete.
To conclude, the philosophy of both Osteopathy and Chiropractic are open to interpretation to the individual practitioner, there are many Osteopaths practising like Chiropractors, just as there are many Chiropractors practising like Osteopaths. No one profession is better than the other, both are highly skilled practitioners when it comes to dealing with problems areas in the musculoskeletal system and you should expect an excellent service from either professional.
Summary
Osteopathy
Chiropractic
Similarites
Both professions;
- Focus on the diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of conditions within the musculoskeletal system.
- Use hands-on techniques to treat the patient
- Are specially trained to deliver thrust manipulations to the spine, which may produce an audible ‘click’.
- Are trained to prescribe exercise and posture advice to further promote their patient’s recovery
- Require a minimum 4 years university training
The main difference between the two professions is the philosophy of Osteopathy and Chiropractic…
Differences
What they treat
Osteopaths are trained to take a more holistic approach to treatment and view the body as a whole. They believe all muscles, bones, ligaments and connective tissues work in sequence together. A Chiropractor would mostly be concerned with the health of the spine and the affect this has on the rest of the body. But they may treat the shoulders, hips and knees too.
How they assess
A significant portion of an Osteopath’s training is dedicated to developing a highly sensitive sense of touch (palpation). They use their hands to analysis the structural and functional imbalances within the musculoskeletal system. A Chiropractor may prefer to use diagnostic equipment such as X-Ray or MRI scans to determine the position of the spine and its joints. An Osteopath may be concerned with the relationship between various joints and how they move together, giving them information on the root cause of an injury. Whereas a Chiropractor may be more concerned with their position and ‘alignment’.
How they treat
Osteopaths tend to use a broader range of techniques. As well as the spinal manipulations, they also utilise more gentle ‘indirect’ techniques where necessary. These techniques are used to observe very subtle strains throughout the body that may have developed over many years or decades. Osteopaths also frequently use soft tissue massage and stretching techniques.
Although some Chiropractors may opt to work on muscles, many will primarily focus on manipulating the spine, known as ‘adjustments’. A Chiropractor may also be found using a small hand-held device to treat joints of the spine. The Activator Method involves using a spring-loaded instrument called and Activator Adjusting Instrument that delivers a single thrust to a joint which may result in an audible ‘click’.
Treatment length and frequency
Osteopath sessions typically last between 30-45mins.
As a typical Chiropractor session mostly involves ‘adjustments’, their sessions tend to be a bit shorter at 15-20mins.
Osteopath treatments may be advised around once a week initially (or twice a week in acute cases) and pay as they go. As the patient’s condition improves they will attend less and less frequently dependent on their individual needs.
Chiropractic sessions are sometimes sold as courses or block bookings. In the example of 10 sessions being advised by the Chiropractor, the 10 sessions may be sold as a block and the patient may visit 2-3 times per week for several weeks until the course is complete.
To conclude, the philosophy of both Osteopathy and Chiropractic are open to interpretation to the individual practitioner, there are many Osteopaths practising like Chiropractors, just as there are many Chiropractors practising like Osteopaths. No one profession is better than the other, both are highly skilled practitioners when it comes to dealing with problems areas in the musculoskeletal system and you should expect an excellent service from either professional.
Summary
Osteopathy
- Primarily treats the musculoskeletal system (MSK) of the body and injuries/conditions arising from here
- Some Osteopaths may treat respiratory and digestive ailments
- Has a wide array of techniques, including but not exclusive to soft tissue massage, joint articulations, spinal manipulations (clicks)
- A primary complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) not usually offered on the NHS
- Hands-on therapy to detect, treat and prevent dysfunction of the bones, muscles, ligaments and joints of the MSK
- Views the body as a unit and as a whole. Treats neighbouring joints and structures
- Holistic approach and treats all joints and areas of the body, looking for the cause of an issue
- Go by what they feel through palpation
- Requires 4-5 years university degree training
- Registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and have their title as an Osteopath protected by law
- Cranial techniques are used by some osteopaths, where they can detect extremely subtle strains throughout the body
Chiropractic
- Deals primarily with spinal manipulation, known as ‘adjustments’
- Most chiropractors do less work through the muscles and other soft tissue structures of the MSK
- Treatment works primarily with the spine, however can be used to treat the shoulders, hips and knees
- Chiropractors believe if the structure of the spine is healthy, then the nervous system is healthy
- A primary complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) not usually offered on the NHS
- Often tools are used such as the Activator Method
- Requires 4 years university degree training
- Registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and have their title as a Chiropractor protected by law