What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a distinct form of manual medicine focused upon the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of physical conditions.
Osteopathy is very patient centred and your presenting problem will be considered and assessed in your individual and unique circumstances opposed to a “one size fits all” approach to your care.
Osteopathy is an effective, focussed, versatile, safe and gentle form of treatment helping thousands of people UK and worldwide in the management of musculoskeletal pain.
Osteopaths primarily treat their patients through manual techniques involving joint articulation, soft tissue massage and stretching, joint manipulation, muscle energy, cranial and functional technique and may also utilise ultrasound therapy, diagnostic ultrasound, acupuncture and provide exercise and nutritional advice to assist you in maximising your health and recovery. All osteopaths are registered with The General Osteopathic Council and have undergone a minimum four to five year degree programme in osteopathic medicine.
Osteopathy is both recognised by parliament and the NHS as a distinct primary healthcare profession. All osteopaths have to re license annually and are committed to life long learning and continuing professional development during their career. As osteopaths are trained to diagnose many musculoskeletal conditions, their training involves a high level of study in general medicine, not dissimilar to a general medical degree including extensive anatomy , physiology, pathology, pharmacology, clinical methods, medical interviewing and case history taking and differential diagnosis. Osteopaths will hold letters after their name, having completed extensive academic and clinical training but are not medical doctors and will always, with your consent, work alongside your GP or other medical professional to assist in your optimal healthcare.
What do osteopaths treat?
This is by no means an exhaustive list so if you are unsure whether osteopathy will be able to help your condition, please do not hesitate to contact one of the practitioners or the clinic.
What to expect from an osteopathy appointment:
Your osteopath will be very keen to involve you in the process and will take the time to explain any diagnosis assessment and management of your problem to help you become “expert” in your problem and what both you, your osteopath and any other health professional can do to assist you further in obtaining optimum health.
If you are interested or unsure as to how osteopathy may assist in your healthcare, an initial consultation will allow your osteopath to assess if and how best they can help you. One consultation or a possible short course of treatment could be all that is needed to help you on the road to much greater health.
To find out more about what to expect from your Osteopathy appoint please take a look at the official General Osteopathic Council leaflet here.
We are pleased to be offering osteopathy at Abbey Place Clinic in Faversham, Kent. We are ideally placed close to Faversham town centre, which is easily accessible by motorway and public transport and close to Whitstable, Sittingbourne and Canterbury.
