Visiting an osteopath in Leeds could be a blessing for people suffering from musculoskeletal pain as they offer a range of treatments to ease the discomfort. Osteopaths use hands-on techniques to restore mobility and release tension. The principles behind the treatment focus on the body as a unit and the belief that improving the flow of fluids in the body will restore balance and therefore, health.
Osteopathy is broadly divided into cranial, visceral and general osteopathy. Cranial treatments focus on the head and visceral treatments focus on the internal organs to improve the flow of body fluid to allow the body to repair itself. Osteopathy is commonly used to treat injuries such as whiplash or pain caused by poor posture or repetitive strain injury.
Although it is still considered an alternative form of treatment in some parts of the world, osteopaths are often recommended by medical professionals as a complementary therapy, e.g., as a physical treatment to be taken in parallel with drugs prescribed by a doctor. This is because osteopaths treat the root cause of the pain whilst medication may only be palliative, reducing the pain rather than curing it.
The content of this page is informed by feedback from practices in Scotland and also clinics in Worcester. Further input was received from osteopaths in the Luton area and a practitioner in Fulham. Finally a contribution was made by osteopathic practitioners in Brighton.