Osteopathy is a primary health care profession that specialises in diagnosis,  treatment and management of conditions to do with the structure of the body, primarily the musculoskeletal structure. It treats pain associated with the spine and also peripheral joints.

Osteopathy is effective in treating lower back pain, frozen shoulder, neck and disc problems, and pain and dysfunction in limb joints. After accidents, osteopathic treatment can speed up recovery in conditions such as whiplash injuries. Many sporting injuries can be helped, so can conditions arising from working too long at a computer.

Osteopathy can be a useful adjunct in the treatment of conditions where there is a musculoskeletal or mechanical component such as some respiratory disorders, TMJ imbalance, menstrual problems, pregnancy, some digestive disorders and chronic emotional stress. There is also cranial osteopathy, a gentle form of treatment, that is particularly suitable for babies and children, as well as adults.

History

Osteopathy was first introduced as a discipline by Dr Andrew Taylor Still towards the end of the nineteenth century in the USA, as a reaction to the orthodox medical treatment of serious infectious illnesses.  With improvements in public health, and the development of vaccines and antibiotics, osteopathy became more associated with the treatment of musculoskeletal problems. The rise of wholistic medicine over the last twenty years has seen the osteopath once again working in a far more general way, treating both the causes and effects of ill health and encouraging the prevention of illness.

Since May 2000 all osteopaths in the UK have to be registered with the General Osteopathic Council, a body set up under the Osteopaths Act (1994), to ensure high standards of training and practice.

At the Broadgate Spine Centre we have the largest independent team of specialist dealing with spinal and joint problems, so our patients have access to a wide variety of disciplines, should this prove necessary.