Osteopathy: 10 years of statutory regulation

Although osteopathy was founded by Dr Andrew Taylor Still back in 1874, it was not until 1993 that the title ‘Osteopath’ became protected by ‘the Osteopaths Act’, and it wasn’t until 1998 that it gained statutory regulation.

Ten years on and osteopathy has become a popular complementary therapy, with recognition from both the public and the medical profession as a safe and effective therapy for musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.

The osteopathic profession has a lot to be proud of over the last ten years; it has gained; a governing body (General Osteopathic Council GoSC), a professional association (British Osteopathic Association, BOA) and a research committee which are all committed to promoting, protecting and developing osteopathy in the UK.

Osteopathy’s 10^th Anniversary was celebrated at a reception in Draper’s Hall, London and attended by HRH the Prince of Wales, who is Patron of the General Osteopathic Council (GoSC). The reception was followed by ‘Advancing Osteopathy 2008’, an International Conference held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London on the 1 - 3 February 2008. This 3-day event was a huge success, attracting around 1,300 osteopaths as well as other clinical specialists from over 20 countries.

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The content of this page is informed by feedback from clinics in Surrey and also practices in Worcester. Further input was received from osteopaths in the Sheffield area and a practitioner in Bromley. Finally a contribution was made by osteopathic practitioners in Hove