Osteopath Leeds

An osteopath is someone who assesses, diagnoses and treats people with conditions and injuries, primarily using their hands.

Legally, to use the title ‘osteopath’, they must hold a recognised qualification (usually a three- or four-year degree) and be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), which ensures the high standards of the profession.

Osteopaths are primary care practitioners. That means patients don’t need a referral from a GP or other doctor to see an osteopath. Please note, though, that some private health insurance companies will require a medical referral before they cover the costs – do check with your provider if you are planning to use health insurance.

They are part of the group recognised by the NHS as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), along with physiotherapists, radiographers and paramedics, among others.

Osteopathy is based on three main concepts. Firstly, all parts of the body are interrelated. Secondly, the way a body functions adapts to its structure, and vice versa. And thirdly, the body has an inherent capacity for healing.

These principles mean that osteopaths evaluate and treat holistically. They consider all the physical, social and psychological factors that might be contributing to a problem.

Osteopaths help people with a wide variety of pain, injuries and conditions.

They are trained in diagnosis, and they use a range of manual therapy techniques to resolve problems.

The first step is for the osteopath to listen to the patient’s story. They will ask questions about the problem, such as how it started and what affects it. They will also ask about the patient’s general health and medical history.

Then, they examine the patient to ascertain the cause of their problem and the factors that might be contributing to it. 

This examination combines observing how a patient moves, assessing parts of the patient’s body using their hands, and sometimes using clinical tests such as blood pressure measurement or nerve testing. 

Having made a diagnosis, the osteopath formulates a management plan. The plan includes hands-on treatment, using techniques such as massage, stretching, joint mobilisation, manipulating (or ‘clicking’) joints, cranial techniques, and others. They discuss the treatment with the patient, making sure they understand and are happy with it. 

The osteopath may also suggest home exercises or lifestyle adaptations that would benefit the patient. 

Osteopaths treat people with many kinds of pain, injuries and conditions. People of all ages go to osteopaths to improve their health and function. 

Here are some examples of things osteopaths treat on a regular basis: 

• Joint pain and arthritis
• Muscle or ligament damage, strains and sprains
• Tendon problems, such as tennis or golfer’s elbow and Achilles tendinopathy
• Frozen shoulder
• Neck and back pain (whether new or longstanding)
• Certain common types of headaches, and migraine prevention
• Nerve problems (pain, tingling or numbness)
• Sciatica
• Circulatory problems
• Digestive problems
• Fibromyalgia
• Minor sports injuries
• Postural changes, including those affecting pregnant women 

Once an osteopath understands the problem, they will explain what treatment they can provide and how long they expect it to take. For the most part, a course of treatment lasts from three to six sessions. 

Some patients with ongoing or chronic conditions choose to have regular treatment to give them maximum benefit. You can discuss this option with your osteopath if you think it might be right for you. 

Osteopaths also know what they can’t treat, and will refer you to another health professional, such as your GP, if necessary.

Both chiropractors and osteopaths diagnose and treat pain and injuries. Both use their hands to improve the health and function of the body. But there are some differences in how they work. 

Chiropractors:

• tend to focus treatment on adjusting the spinal joints to improve nerve function
• are qualified to take and interpret X-rays
• generally use shorter treatment sessions, on average between 15 and 30 minutes

Osteopaths:

• tend to work more widely, directing treatment at all areas of the body, including other joints, soft tissues and sometimes internal organs
• will refer patients (either via their GP or privately) to a radiographer for X-rays, if necessary
• generally use longer treatment sessions, on average between 30 and 60 minutes 

From the patient’s perspective, there’s a good deal of overlap in the way osteopaths and chiropractors treat. As a guideline, you’ll receive shorter treatments from a chiropractor that are more focused on spinal manipulation. Osteopathy sessions tend to be longer and more wide-ranging. 

Chiropractors and osteopaths are both skilled in diagnosing and treating the same kinds of problems. Some practitioners specialise in treating people with certain problems or conditions, so it can be worth doing a little research to find someone with knowledge that’s relevant to you. 

Many people choose their practitioner based on reviews or word-of-mouth recommendations. The key is to find an experienced practitioner with whom you feel comfortable. 

Osteopathic medicine is a term mostly used in the United States. There, a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) has the same training and qualifications as a medical doctor, as well as their osteopathic training. They use the principles of osteopathy in their medical practice, and they include manual therapy as part of their treatment. 

In other parts of the world, the osteopathic profession remains separate from medical training, so the term ‘osteopath’ is used, rather than ‘Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine’. 

There’s sometimes confusion between an American ‘D.O.’ (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) and a British ‘DO’ (an osteopath who has a Diploma in Osteopathy). A British DO is a fully qualified osteopath but does not hold a medical degree. 

Other osteopathic qualifications used in the UK include:

• ‘BSc. (Hons) Osteopathy’ – Bachelor of Science in Osteopathy
• ‘B(Ost)’ – Bachelor of Osteopathy
• ‘M(Ost) – Master of Osteopathy

These titles simply reflect the evolution of osteopathic education – rest assured that all osteopaths in the UK have the appropriate level of training required to fulfil the rigorous standards of the General Osteopathic Council.

Osteopaths are experts at treating sciatica. The key is to diagnose and treat its underlying cause. 

Sciatica develops for many reasons. There’s usually a problem in the lower back, such as a bulging disc or a narrowing of the spinal canal. These press on the sciatic nerve roots, triggering symptoms such as leg pain, tingling or numbness, or weakness in the leg or foot. 

Osteopaths can diagnose the cause of your sciatica using information you give them, tests they can do in the clinic, and, if necessary, imaging such as X-ray or MRI. 

Once they understand the underlying cause, osteopaths can help reduce or resolve the sciatica symptoms. They use massage and mobilisation to improve flexibility, ease tension and reduce the pressure on the nerve. 

They can also advise on what to avoid, changes you can make to reduce your symptoms, and exercises to help you recover more quickly.

Yes! Back pain is the condition that osteopaths treat most frequently. 

Back pain comes in all shapes and sizes, from a mild, nagging ache to sharp, severe, debilitating pain that stops you moving. Sometimes it comes and goes, sometimes it’s new and unknown, or perhaps it has been around for years. 

The role of the osteopath is firstly to determine what’s causing the pain – for example, is it a rib strain, or perhaps there’s an inflamed disc? 

Secondly, the osteopath will try to understand why it’s happening. Was it triggered by a recent cough, for example? Or has a painful knee altered your walking gait and increased the pressure on one side of your back? 

Once they have all these elements in place, the osteopath can determine the best course of action. It might be massage to reduce the muscle tension around your spine, combined with manipulation to improve mobility, then treatment to the knee to stop it causing the problem. It might also include advice on exercise, posture, sleeping positions, stress management, or other things. 

An osteopath’s aim is not just to ease symptoms, but to treat the underlying causes for lasting relief. 

In most parts of the world, including the UK, osteopathy is a standalone profession. Most osteopaths are not qualified doctors, and they do not use the title ‘Doctor’.  

In the USA, most osteopaths are ‘Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine’, which means they have full medical training alongside their osteopathic qualification. This entitles them to call themselves ‘Doctor’ and to practice in all areas of medicine, as any other doctor would. 

You sometimes hear chiropractors referred to as ‘Doctor’. This is because they use the courtesy title ‘Doctor of Chiropractic’ (D.C.). If you’re unsure whether your practitioner has a medical qualification, it’s best to check.

Because osteopaths look at the way the whole body functions, it’s likely they’ll want to examine different areas, not just the area where you have pain. 

It’s best, therefore, to wear something that allows for this, such as sports shorts and a sports bra. 

Your osteopath will only ask you to dress down as far as necessary for examination and treatment. If you wish, you can bring a friend or family member to accompany you into the treatment – just let us know when you book. 

Most minor sports injuries are amenable to osteopathic treatment. 

These include strains and sprains, tendon problems such as Achilles tendinopathy or tennis elbow, knee pain such as runner’s knee, and overuse injuries such as shin splints. 

Many osteopaths combine manual therapy with other treatments, such as acupuncture or kinesiology taping, to give the best outcomes. They can also offer rehabilitation exercises and advice to ensure you stay active and pain-free. 

At GHC, we have several osteopaths who have specialist knowledge in dealing with sports injuries:

• Ed uses medical acupuncture and kinesiology taping and treats all kinds of sports people, from dancers to CrossFit athletes to weightlifters.
• Seb holds a Master’s Degree in Osteopathic Sports Care, and works with many athletes, including professional golfers.
• Ioannis, himself a keen sportsman, has completed a Master’s Degree in Sports and Exercise Medicine. 
• Doug incorporates medical acupuncture in his treatments, especially when working with professional dancers.
• Simon Baron holds a qualification in sports massage alongside his osteopathy degree, and his experience of working with football and rugby players, coaches and athletes at a national level has given him specialist knowledge in performance, rehabilitation and injury prevention.
• Ami is not only an experienced osteopath but is also registered with the British Acupuncture Council. He treats complex chronic sports injuries, often helping problems where other treatment has failed. 

Osteopathy is safe. Osteopaths train for at least three years, and they update their knowledge every year. They complete at least 1000 hours of clinical practice before qualifying. 

Here at GHC, our osteopaths have completed four years of training, and many also hold postgraduate qualifications. 

Some people worry about whether treatment could make them feel worse or cause damage. But 96% of patients report that they are ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with their treatment. And, likewise, 96% report improvement or resolution of their symptoms within six weeks of treatment. 

Sometimes, patients feel tired or sore, or have a headache or nausea following treatment. But these symptoms, though uncommon, are perfectly normal and usually resolve within 24–48 hours. 

Osteopaths put patient safety first and foremost, and they continually carry out risk assessments when deciding how best to treat their patients. They also explain any risks, however small, before treatment starts, and seek the patient’s consent. 

Because osteopaths have a wide array of techniques they can apply, they can often choose an alternative method if the patient prefers. As a patient, then, you’re always in control.