Exeter & Crediton Osteopaths

18/10/2025

Long before the advent of MRI, ultrasound, or EMG, the foundational tool of osteopathy was, and remains, the educated hand. Our founder, A.T. Still, DO, recognized the primacy of fascia, viewing it not as inert packing material, but as a critical element in health and disease.

This wasn't mere philosophy. Early researchers like Louisa Burns, DO, dedicated their careers to scientifically investigating the physiological effects of osteopathic lesions, many of which are expressed through the fascial system. They described a living, communicative matrix—a concept that, for a century, was largely intuitive.

Today, modern science is providing the vocabulary for what our predecessors palpated.

🧬 Mechanotransduction: We now have a term for how fascia converts mechanical forces (like tension or therapeutic touch) into cellular and biochemical signals. This confirms the osteopathic principle that changing the structure governs the function.

⚡ A Proprioceptive & Interoceptive Organ: Research has revealed that fascia is densely innervated with nerve endings. This makes it a primary organ of proprioception (our sense of body position) and interoception (our sense of the body's internal state). This is the scientific bridge explaining how fascial dysfunction can influence the autonomic nervous system and our overall sense of well-being.

So when we, as osteopathic practitioners, place our hands on a patient, we aren't just searching for "restrictions." We are engaging in a diagnostic dialogue with this complex neurofascial system. We are listening to the body's history, its compensatory patterns, and its inherent capacity for self-healing, expressed through the fascial tissues.

Modern imaging is finally visualizing the fascial glide and density we've been assessing with our hands since 1874. It’s a powerful validation of our principles.

Perhaps osteopathy was never speaking a forgotten language—it was simply the native tongue of the body, waiting for everyone else to learn it.

13/08/2025

Our esteemed colleague at the Exeter practice, medical herbalist Simon Mills, was featured on Monday on Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett.

I’ve known Simon for almost 50 years and I know how knowledgeable he is and what a phenomenon he is, but this impressed me further.

Is the root of every illness your gut? Could 5 simple herbs replace your medicine cabinet? Natural remedy expert Simon Mills reveals the herbal medicines tha...

16/07/2025

That covers most of it….

𝟏𝟎 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝

Osteopathy is a well established form of healthcare in the UK, but it’s often misunderstood. Whether it’s confusion over qualifications or the scope of what osteopaths can treat, myths can easily cloud people’s perception. So let’s set the record straight. Here are 10 Osteopathy Myths in the UK and the truth behind each one.

𝟏. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬

Osteopaths in the UK are fully qualified and regulated healthcare professionals. They are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), a statutory body set up under the Osteopaths Act 1993, and are one of the Allied Health Professions. Osteopaths are trained to assess, diagnose and treat patients independently. To practise, an osteopath must complete a GOsC Recognised Qualification – usually an MOst or BOst degree, which takes 3.5 to 4 years on a full-time basis (longer if studying part-time), including at least 1000 hours of clinical training.

𝟐. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧

While osteopaths are well known for helping people with back pain, their scope is much broader. They treat a range of musculoskeletal issues, including:

- Neck and shoulder pain
- Hip and knee problems
- Headaches (of musculoskeletal origin)
- Arthritis-related pain
- Sports injuries
- Postural imbalances
- Repetitive strain injuries

Despite the myth, osteopaths take a whole-body approach, often addressing areas that may be contributing to symptoms elsewhere. Infact osteopaths treat the person not the condition, and seek to influence overall health via the musculoskeletal and associated neurological and circulatory systems.

𝟑. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜

Although they both use manual therapy and can treat musculoskeletal conditions, osteopathy and chiropractic care are distinct professions. The main differences include:

Training focus: Chiropractors often focus more on spinal alignment and the nervous system, whereas osteopaths look at how the entire body functions together including joints, muscles, circulation and posture.
Treatment style: Chiropractors often use spinal manipulation as a core technique, while osteopaths use a wider variety of methods such as soft tissue work, joint mobilisation, balancing techniques and lifestyle advice (including exercise).

𝟒. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝

Modern osteopathy is increasingly informed by evidence and continues to evolve with new research. NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommends manual therapy – including osteopathy – as part of a treatment plan for conditions such as chronic lower back pain.

Osteopaths also undergo training in evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning.

𝟓. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞

Ethical osteopaths do not claim to cure illnesses like cancer or mental illnesses. Their role is to support the body’s natural function and reduce strain or tension that may be contributing to symptoms or secondary issues.

For example, osteopaths may help ease musculoskeletal discomfort during pregnancy, reduce tension headaches or support recovery after injury – but will refer a patient to a GP if the condition is outside of their scope.

𝟔. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬

The “crack” (the technical term being a “high velocity thrust” technique), is just one of the many tools an osteopath may use – but contrary to the myth, some osteopaths choose to not use it at all.

Osteopathy encompasses a wide range of techniques, including:

- Soft tissue massage
- Joint mobilisation
- Stretching
- Muscle energy techniques
- Gentle balancing, fascial or listening techniques
- Postural and breathing correction
- Exercise and rehabilitation plans

An osteopath’s treatment is always tailored to the individual and their comfort level.

𝟕. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬

Osteopathy is considered a very safe form of treatment, especially when performed by a registered osteopath.

Like all medical interventions, there are small risks with manual therapy (such as soreness or mild bruising), but serious complications are extremely rare. Osteopaths are trained to take a full medical history, screen for red flags and modify or avoid treatment when risks are present.

𝟖. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐆𝐏 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡

You do not need a GP referral to see an osteopath. Osteopaths are primary healthcare professionals, which means a patient can go and see an osteopath without another healthcare practitioner being involved.

𝟗. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

Many health insurance providers do cover osteopathic treatment. You need to check their process, as they may need to pre-authorise, and may require a GP appointment first.

𝟏𝟎. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬

Osteopaths are trained to treat people of all ages. Some osteopaths have additional training in paediatric or cranial osteopathy, which uses very gentle techniques suitable for newborn babies and infants.

Osteopaths can also help with:

- Pregnancy-related pain
- Infant feeding and sleep issues
- Postural development in children
- Age-related mobility issues in older adults

𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐒𝐎

Osteopathy is a versatile and patient-centred healthcare profession. Now you know the truth behind these 10 osteopathy myths, why not discover how you can become job ready on graduation with our hands-on, practical course that translates directly into your new osteopathic career. To find out more, discover our college or find out about our various flexible osteopathy study pathways to suit you.

Find out more at https://lso.ac.uk

23/06/2025

We are pleased to be joined at our Exeter practice by Mrs Jamie Rose.

Jamie worked with us in Crediton for some time, many years ago, and has since been running her own practice in Exmouth.

She will be working on Thursday mornings to start with and we’ll see how things progress.

Here’s her biography….


“Having grown up in Exeter, I went on to study BSc (Hons) Biology with Environmental Science in York, graduating in 1994. I then worked in the voluntary sector as Operations Manager for a national housing association however whilst doing this I continued a lifelong interest in holistic health and gained qualifications in holistic massage, reflexology, and aromatherapy. I also became interested in floatation tanks, studied Transcendental Meditation and began training in Tai Chi (Lee family). This continued interest lead me to leave a senior management role to retrain and gain a second degree in Osteopathy, studying full time for 4 years at the European School of Osteopathy in Maidstone, Kent.

My intention however was always to return to Devon, the county I love and call my home. I subsequently worked in Honiton, Taunton and North Devon before taking on my own clinic in Exmouth. Having successfully managed it through covid however, I realised (again!), that my interest is not in management but in working as a therapist. Therefore I now work independently without the constraints of running a small business.

As an Osteopath, I am trained in Cranial Osteopathy, joint manipulation, muscle energy technique (MET), Full Body Adjustment (GOT), visceral techniques and dry needling (Western acupuncture). This means I can draw on a variety of techniques to best suit the individual. My approach is gentle but effective following the original principles and theories of classical osteopathy.

I am also finally on the certification program to qualify in Zero Balancing having attended my first course in 2005. This is a modality that truly represents the essence of classical Osteopathy.

I live in Exmouth with my exuberant Collie/Hunterway cross, Alfie.”

Appointments can be made online from our website, www.creditonosteopaths.co.uk, or via the online booking link here : bit.ly/credex

15/05/2025

10/04/2025