An osteopath is a primary health care practitioner who focuses on the neuro-musculoskeletal system. Osteopaths are trained to assess and treat musculoskeletal disorders using hands-on methods. They are known for their ability to diagnose problems in the joints, muscles and spine as well as to give patients advice on lifestyle factors that can contribute to health and wellbeing.
Osteopathy is a safe treatment with very few if any side effects. After a session you may feel mild soreness, similar to muscle soreness experienced after a workout, but these symptoms should not last more than a day or two. In some cases you may experience headache or fatigue, but these too are not long-lasting. These side effects do not occur in all patients and are the same as those associated with any form of medical treatment.
Osteopaths are trained to use structural techniques, which involve a combination of soft tissue massage and joint articulation or manipulation (the clicking of the bones that you hear when an osteopath works). These techniques aim to ease pain, stiffness and discomfort, improve posture and aid injury rehabilitation.
A core principle of osteopathic treatment is that the body is an integrated whole and self-healing mechanism. When you have a problem, the body sends messages to all parts of the body to help keep them healthy and balanced. This is why osteopathy is so effective. The osteopathic practitioner is able to perceive all the body elements by placing his hands on the patient; it’s like a mechanic who can feel the flow of electricity, the movement of fluids and the signals sent from the ECU of a car.