Healthy living
Complementary therapies
Osteopathy and chiropractic
Increasingly, GPs are referring their patients to an osteopath or chiropractor for problems originating in bones, joints, muscles and other soft tissue and, above all, for non-specific back pain that arises from minor 'mechanical' damage
Osteopathy
The underlying philosophy is that the body has a natural tendency to heal itself but that this ability can be disrupted by any abnormalities in the skeleton or the soft tissue (such as muscles and ligaments) or in the relationship between them.
After taking a detailed history and observing your posture and movement, the osteopath will use his or her hands to apply pressure and manipulate the relevant parts of the body to release stresses and tension and mobilise joints.
The treatment is not normally painful and much less 'rough' than many people imagine. Depending on the nature and duration of your problem, you may need several sessions of therapy, each of which usually lasts around half an hour.
Osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council, have completed a recognised training and have indemnity insurance to practice.
Chiropractic
Chiropractors often work directly on specific joints, particularly in the spine, and may conduct orthodox investigations, such as an x-ray, before beginning treatment.
Each session will normally last around 20 minutes, although the first one may take longer as the chiropractor needs to work out what is wrong before beginning treatment. Chiropractors need to be registered with the General Chiropractic Council to practice.
Finding a practitioner
It is likely that your GP will know of local osteopaths and chiropractors, so begin by asking at the surgery or health centre.
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.