WHAT DOES AN OSTEOPATH DO?

As a body mechanic the aim of the osteopath is to normalize the structure of the body, freeing it from any mechanical impedance and allowing pain free function.

The skill lies in being able to recognize the strain patterns and imbalances within your normal framework and how this is related to your complaint. The other skill of course is in being able to effectively release these patterns.

Osteopaths go through intense four year training having to pass many gateways before being able to proceed. This gives them a thorough knowledge of what the body is made of, how it works and how it can go wrong.

Osteopaths learn a huge variety of hands on technique.

One’s hands are incredibly sensitive instruments and with repeated training can detect subtle changes in tissue response allowing treatment to be specific enough to facilitate change and release.

And this is the beauty of osteopathy … application of robust knowledge with the subtle art form of ever changing, personalized treatment.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CHIROPRACTOR, A PHYSIOTHERAPIST AND AN OSTEOPATH?

Both osteopaths and chiropractors are recognised in law as primary healthcare practitioners – which means they are diagnostic and not just remedial: they have a duty to ensure a patient is safe to be treated, and that their treatment is appropriate to the diagnosis they make. Physiotherapists are not primary healthcare practitioners: patients are treated following a physician’s referral and diagnosis, or are self-referred.

Our advice when choosing a chiropractor, osteopath or physiotherapist would briefly be as follows:

Enquire whether they hold membership of their national association (e.g. British Chiropractic Association, British Osteopathic association, Chartered Society of Physiotherapists).
Use a chiropractor, osteopath or physiotherapist who has been recommended by a friend or GP.
Don't persist with treatment if the chiropractic, osteopathy or physiotherapy given does not suit you.
Be wary if asked to sign up for a course of lengthy treatment and don't feel cooerced by sales pressure.
If your practitioner takes a detailed case history, makes a thourough examination, frequently retests during treatment and spends a reasonable ammount of time hands on then you're probably onto a good thing.

At Surbiton Osteopaths we are essentially focused on the mechanical problems of our bodies; in particular, the mechanical problems of the spine. Treatments may include manipulation, mobilisation, soft tissue treatment (such as massage), cranial osteopathy and exercises.