The aim of osteopathy is to detect and treat damaged parts of the body such as muscles, nerves ligaments and joints. An osteopath uses clinically developed techniques to diagnose and treat problems and works in the belief that damage to one part of the body can have an adverse effect on another. As well as treating your backache or neck pain, for example, an osteopath aims to have a positive effect on your total wellbeing.

Where it began
Osteopathy was developed in America in the 1870s by Missouri doctor Andrew Taylor Still. It has developed to the point where it is now widely recognised throughout the world as one of the most scientifically validated and effective complementary therapies.

The main difference between chiropractic and osteopathic treatments is that chiropractors concentrate on mechanical disorders of the spine and the musculoskeletal system, while osteopaths treat the whole person and the disease or disorder.

In Australia, registered osteopaths undertake a five-year university course covering anatomy, physiology, pathology and general medical diagnosis as well as osteopathic technique. Osteopaths may sometimes refer a patient to a GP, but they are also trained to conduct medical examinations of the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.

What to expect
A consultation and treatment with an osteopath generally takes about an hour, during which time they’ll take your full medical history and details of your current problem. The osteopath will assess your posture, skeletal alignment and range of movement. Often, osteopathic treatment is preceded by a massage to relax the muscles or loosen knots and release tension. The osteopath may use muscle stretching or gentle manipulation.

What next?
The aim is for the body to return to a state of natural harmony and use its own in-built repair system to recover from the injury or disease. Most conditions will require a number of visits as well as changes to behaviour to prevent recurrences.

Osteopaths may also talk to you about stress management or the ergonomics of your working environment and give you advice on correcting faulty practices that are leading to dysfunction and pain. So, if pain is an ongoing problem for you, why not see an osteopath?

Who benefits?
Osteopathy can be of value in reducing the severity of symptoms in conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome or premenstrual pain. Other common complaints that can be treated by an osteopath include headache, back pain, sinusitis, restless leg syndrome and sciatica.

Many pregnant mothers find osteopathic treatment beneficial to reduce back pain and help prepare the body for giving birth.

Osteopathy can also benefit children who have suffered trauma during or after birth, and from athletic or recreational activities and car accidents. Trauma caused by these events has been linked with academic difficulties such as ADD, dyslexia and behavioural problems during school years.