15/07/2025
๐๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ญ๐ก๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐
Osteopathy is a well established form of healthcare in the UK, but itโs often misunderstood. Whether itโs confusion over qualifications or the scope of what osteopaths can treat, myths can easily cloud peopleโs perception. So letโs set the record straight. Here are 10 Osteopathy Myths in the UK and the truth behind each one.
๐. ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐๐งโ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ ๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฌ
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 โ 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.
๐. ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐ฉ๐๐ข๐ง
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.
๐. ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐
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).
๐. ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ๐งโ๐ญ ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐๐ง๐๐-๐๐๐ฌ๐๐
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 โ including osteopathy โ 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.
๐. ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐๐ฌ๐
Ethical osteopaths do not claim to cure illnesses like cancer or mental illnesses. Their role is to support the bodyโs 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 โ but will refer a patient to a GP if the condition is outside of their scope.
๐. ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐ค๐ฌ
The โcrackโ (the technical term being a โhigh velocity thrustโ technique), is just one of the many tools an osteopath may use โ 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 osteopathโs treatment is always tailored to the individual and their comfort level.
๐. ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ
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.
๐. ๐๐จ๐ฎ ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐๐ง ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก
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.
๐. ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ๐งโ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐
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.
๐๐. ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฌ
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
Article first published by the London School of Osteopathy
