As you can imagine this is one of the questions we are asked most when people first get in touch with us. Although people have often heard of the term osteopathy they often don’t know what it really entails and the range of treatments that it can include. Whilst osteopathy is most commonly linked to back pain treatment not many people know that it can also treat headaches, sports injuries and even poor sleep.

Osteopathy for everyone


You might have heard about osteopathy and be wondering what it actually involves. At the Three Valleys Osteopathic Clinic I provide structural osteopathy that works through the neuro-muscuo-skeletal system, which focuses mostly on muscles and joints. I pay special attention to how the internal organs affect and are affected by that system. Osteopaths use gentle massage and manipulation to help bring your body gently back to health. I can also provide lifestyle, specific exercises and guidance on posture too.
Osteopathy is complementary to other medical practices and can be used to treat a wide range of conditions from chronic back pain to pregnancy related joint issues. There is no age limit on who can benefit from osteopathy and I have worked with clients of all ages.

A brief history of Osteopathy


Osteopathy was founded in the late 1800’s in America by a doctor named Andrew Taylor Still. It was a time when many medical or surgical treatments were ineffective or in some cases downright dangerous. Andrew Taylor Still felt that to gain optimum health all parts of the body needed to work together in harmony. Using his osteopathic techniques he started to treat patients for a wide range of conditions.
Taylor Still began to teach pupils his methods and his student J Martin Littlejohn was responsible for bringing osteopathy to the UK – founding the British School of Osteopathy in 1917. Since that time osteopathic training and techniques have continued to evolve and improve. Osteopathy is now taught in a number of universities across England.

 

Osteopathy today


Osteopathy is now a respected and regulated discipline and is even available on the NHS in some areas. A qualified osteopath will need to have completed a 4-5 year degree course and we will also continue to develop and expand our knowledge throughout our professional life.
Osteopaths today often practice alongside GP’s, nurses or midwives. We can also work with practitioners of complementary medicine who take the more holistic route to wellbeing.