5 Misconceptions About Osteopathy

The 5 most common misconceptions surrounding what Osteopathy is,what it does, and who it is for.

‘It is only for the old people with back pain.’

It is true that osteopathy is popular with the older generation and those with spinal pain. Osteopaths have expert knowledge and experience in treating back pain, but they also see the body as a single unit, with the spine at the center, connecting everything. Osteopaths are trained to address dysfunctions all over the body, including joints, the visceral system, and the nervous system, allowing them to treat a wide range of injuries. These treatments are applicable to people of all ages, from babies with colic and teenagers with back pain from studying, to the elderly with arthritis.

‘I have to stop ALL exercise if I’m seeing an osteopath.’

There is a common misconception that if you are seeing or plan to see an osteopath, you must cease all physical activity and "rest." This is not true. You should never stop all physical activity, as exercise has many health benefits, such as improving blood flow, and increasing oxygen and nutrient supply to the injury site. Unless an osteopath suspects a fracture or break, they will help you find an alternative way to exercise. While you may not be able to play your desired sport, you should still be able to engage in physical activity. Regular exercise can help reduce the risk of reinjury, particularly for those with lower back pain. Additionally, exercise can be an excellent way to measure progress, by determining how far you can go before experiencing pain. At The Local Osteo, we can suggest stretches, exercises, and types of activities that can be safely performed.

‘They only rub some muscles and crack some bones, they don’t actually help people.’

A common myth is that osteopaths simply "click your back back into place," but this is not the case. Osteopaths use a high level of palpation to assess areas of tenderness, weakness, restriction, strain, and injury in the body and joints. After this assessment, the osteopath can explain the diagnosis and treat the surrounding tissues through soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilization, and joint manipulation.Some people believe osteopathy is no more effective than physiotherapy or a generic sports massage or chiropractor treatment. However, most injuries are the result of mechanical dysfunction of the spine or major joints, such as the shoulder. Gentle joint mobilization helps realign these dysfunctional areas, and soft tissue techniques reduce tension on the joint, aiding in realignment

‘Treatment is painful and usually makes conditions worse.’

A common fear preventing people from visiting an osteopath is that they might still be able to move and function through their pain, but that after seeing an osteopath, they will feel worse or receive a confusing diagnosis. This perception may stem from negative experiences with NHS physiotherapists or others' opinions about osteopathy.The purpose of osteopathy is to reduce pain and inflammation to promote natural healing. While an initial increase in pain can occur due to movement in areas that have been stagnant for some time, the treatment itself is meant to reduce pain. It’s not uncommon for pain to shift around the local area following treatment. This doesn’t mean the condition is worse; it simply means that secondary issues are now coming to light as the initial, more intense pain decreases. In short, osteopathy promotes healing by working with the body, not against it. Treatment is tailored to your specific injury, as opposed to generic stretches provided by others. If you're experiencing discomfort or want to learn more, contact your osteopath.

‘Surgery is quicker and a better long-term solution to resolving my injury.’

Thanks to modern medical advancements, surgery and medical interventions are available options. In some cases, they are unavoidable, such as in the case of a full tendon rupture, where surgery is necessary for a full recovery and to regain motion. However, in most cases, surgery is avoidable and recommended only for speed and reduced cost compared to long-term physiotherapy.In injuries like partial tears, surgery may be recommended to speed up initial recovery by stapling tendons back in place. However, in the long term, surgery can shorten the length of muscles or tendons, leading to reduced strength and motion. With osteopathy's conservative approach, we focus on gradual lengthening and strength training, which has been proven effective in regaining motion and stability, particularly in areas like the shoulder.