Your Osteopathy questions answered:
How is Osteopathy different from Chiropractic?
The fundamental philosophy behind Chiropractic is that all disease within the body has its origin within restrictions of the spine, preventing correct neurological and circulatory supply to the organs and muscles of the body. Chiropractors therefore work to release restrictions found within the joints of the body.
Osteopaths work to release the restrictions within the joints of the body as Chiropractors do, with the same philosophies as Chiropractors do, but also work very much with muscles, addressing the influence that muscular dysfunction / tightness / imbalance can have on the functioning of joints. They work closely with exercise prescription with the aim of ensuring permanent relief from pain wherever possible.
Osteopaths believe that treatment alone is not enough to correct a problem within the body; the patient must maintain the effects of treatment through self management techniques.
How is Osteopathy different from Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapists work very similarly to Osteopaths, but their emphasis lies in addressing muscular imbalance through exercise prescription. The emphasis a Physiotherapist places on treatment depends on the individual physiotherapist. NHS Physio's tend to work a lot more with exercise prescription due to time constraints, whereas private Physio's work with a lot more 'hands-on' techniques.