> About Osteopathy
Osteopathy is an established, recognised system of diagnosis and treatment that lays its main emphasis on the structural integrity of the body. It is distinct in the fact that it recognises that much of the pain and disability we suffer from stems from abnormalities in the function of the body structure, as well as damage caused to it by disease.
Osteopathy uses many of the diagnostic procedures used in conventional medical assessment and diagnosis. Its main strength lies in the unique way the patient is assessed from a mechanical, functional and postural standpoint, and the manual methods of treatment applied to suit the needs of the individual patient.
Osteopaths use their hands both to investigate the underlying causes of pain and to carry out treatment using a variety of manipulative techniques. These may include: muscle and connective tissue stretching, rhythmic joint movements or high velocity thrust techniques to improve the range of motion at a joint.
Cranial Osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of osteopathic treatment that uses very gentle manipulative pressure to encourage the release of stresses throughout the body, including the head. It is not as the name might suggest a form of scalp massage, but instead a series of supportive contacts that in many instances undermines the patient's tension. As tension and pain are so closely allied this can effectively alter their perception of pain, and provide significant steps towards recovery.
As well as being a safe and effective means of treating babies and children for conditions such as colic, glue ear and headaches, it can be equally beneficial to adults for a variety of conditions.
In 1993 osteopathy became the first major complementary health care profession to be accorded statutory recognition under the 1993 Osteopaths Act. This culminated in the opening of the statutory register of osteopaths by the General Osteopathic Council in May 1998. Only practitioners able to show that they have been in safe and competent practice of osteopathy will be allowed onto the register and in future all osteopaths will be trained to the same high rigorous standards. All osteopaths need to have medical malpractice insurance and to follow a strict code of conduct. Patients have the same safeguards as when they consult a doctor or dentist. An experienced Registered Osteopath and Cranial Osteopath at Bethnal Green East London, and Borough Market near London Bridge and the City of London. Covering Hackney, Bow, Mile End, London Fields, Stratford, Stepney, Shoreditch, Spitalfields, Docklands, Victoria Park, Southbank, Southwark, South East London, EC1, EC2, Bank, Monument EC3, EC4.
