What is an Osteopath and What do Osteopaths Do?

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a holistic form of healthcare that focuses on the musculoskeletal system and its relationship to overall body function. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, osteopaths consider how different body systems interact and how structural problems can affect health more broadly.

In the UK, osteopathy has been a fully regulated profession since 2000, governed by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). Training involves four years of full-time undergraduate study covering anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and clinical practice.

What Does an Osteopath Do?

Osteopaths use a range of assessment methods including postural analysis, palpation, and clinical orthopaedic testing. Treatment includes:

• Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT): Hands-on techniques including spinal manipulation and high-velocity thrust movements to improve alignment and mobility
• Soft tissue massage: Applied to reduce muscle tension, enhance circulation, and facilitate healing
• Exercise therapy: Customised routines to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility
• Lifestyle guidance: Recommendations on posture, workstation setup, activity modification, and general wellness

What Conditions Do Osteopaths Treat?

While osteopaths are most associated with back and neck pain, they treat a wide range of conditions:

• Back pain and sciatica
• Neck pain and referred arm pain
• Joint pain (hips, knees, shoulders, ankles)
• Sports injuries and muscle strains
• Tension headaches
• Postural problems

Osteopathic Treatment is Safe and Non-Invasive

Osteopathic treatment is generally safe with little to no side effects. It offers a genuine alternative to surgery or long-term medication for many musculoskeletal conditions. Most patients experience some improvement within 3 to 6 sessions.

What Makes Spine Plus Osteopaths Different?

Our osteopaths combine traditional osteopathy with advanced electrotherapy technologies and specialist training. As well as standard osteopathic techniques, our practitioners are trained in:

• MRI interpretation for spinal conditions
• Medical acupuncture and dry needling
• IDD spinal decompression therapy
• Shockwave therapy and focused shockwave
• TECAR therapy
• Class IV laser therapy
• Clinical Pilates

This extended skillset means we can offer more than standard manual therapy, particularly for complex or long-standing spinal conditions.

To book an assessment, call us on 020 8506 1000 or book online.