What do Osteopaths Treat?

Conditions commonly treated by osteopaths include:

• Back pain (1)
• Neck pain / Headache (2)
• Shoulder pain
• Occupational strain / postural strain
• Sports injuries
• Joint aches, pains and stiffness
• Post-trauma / Post-operative rehabilitation
• Muscular / Joint aches, pain and stiffness

Osteopathy can also assist with the treatment of:

• Chest pain and restriction associated with breathing disorders e.g: Asthma, respiratory tract infections (3)
• Back pain associated with pregnancy
• Otitis media (4)
• Menstrual problems (5)
• Digestive order

Treatment is often in conjunction with a medical practitioner, dentist, podiatrist, natural therapist, or other health professional with the aim of freeing structural anomalies that contribute to metabolic disorders.

References:

1. Licciardone JC, Brimhall AK, King LN. Osteopathic manipulative treatment for low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. August 2005;
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/6/43/abstract/

2. Baird RE, Cullom S,DeedmanR, Feeney J, Kellog J, Simming P. Osteopathic Manipulation and tension–type head aches. Am Fam Physician 1993 November 1;48(6):1023-4.

3. Michael M. Patterson, PhD. The Coming Influenza Pandemic: Lessons From the Past for the Future. of JAOA—The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. Nov. 2005 http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/105/11/498

4. Knott EM, Tune JD, Stoll ST, Downey HF. Increased lymphatic flow in the thoracic duct during manipulative intervention. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2005;105:447-456.
http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/abstract/105/10/447

5. BoeslerD, Warner M, Alpers A, Finnerty EP, Kilmore MA. Efficacy of high velocity low-amplitude manipulative technique in subjects with low-back pain during menstrual cramping. J Am Osteopathic Association 1993 February;93(2):203-4