“What is different about osteopathic treatment?”

Osteopaths are often confused with other MSK professionals because they use the body to administer treatment. But the reality is that treatment is only a tiny part of the osteopathic process.

Osteopaths do not see a patient with an injury. 
They see (as examples):

• A person in pain. 
• Someone whose quality of life is being compromised.
• A person whose body is struggling to function optimally qne keep up with day-to-day demands.
• A stressed individual who needs help and whose body is keeping the score.

An osteopath will thoroughly evaluate the patient’s body from a musculoskeletal, neurological, visceral, fascial and craniosacral perspective as appropriate, listening to the tissues and watching the individual’s response.

The osteopath will also evaluate the environment and ask many questions to ascertain the contributing and maintaining factors of the case. Only in this way can they get a complete picture.

The findings are identified, acknowledged and considered when developing the treatment and management plan to ensure long-term improvement.

And, after all this, sometimes the osteopath doesn’t treat at all!

They may instead decide to change the environment, educate the individual, refer, or recommend additional investigations before they treat the patient. This is because they know the contributing factors will hinder long-term success if left unaddressed.

That’s why as osteopaths, we always endeavour to set our patients up to succeed. Sometimes this will include mindset, exercises or advice on small day-to-day changes which can help.

To an osteopath, treatment is not about rubbing something better. It is about assessing the individual’s internal and external “health”; seeking the point at which the patient, or their tissues, can adapt and function effectively no more.

When we do this, we design the management plan for long-term success, which benefits the patient.