Osteopaths - would you recommend them?

[DaveCoaches]

I had hip pain from running. The physio recommend some exercises and the pain is gone but it’s still uncomfortable sometimes when I’m sitting / walking / doing yoga. My friend recommended her osteopath but I’m not sure exactly what it is they do? I confuse them with chiropractors.

Chiropractors and Osteopaths are both regulated in the UK and are considered complementary medicine.
Whichever works for you is obviously best. I would take recommendations with a pinch of salt as we are all different.

Many many examples in our family of great results from osteopathic treatment...

Croup, asthma, persistent coughs, back spasm, knee injury, jaw stiffness, shoulder mobility, back pain from long distance cycling, support during orthodontic work.. there are 5 of us and this is over 20 years!

Osteopaths are way better than chiropractors. Make sure you find one which is qualified.

Brilliant treatment from an osteopath here. Wholeheartedly recommend.

I do have a personal recommendation but I will definitely try and check reviews and quals of the person too.

Try it, what have you got to lose? I've had great results in the past on things that I've gone to them as a last result because conventional medicine has had nothing to offer.

I found chiropracty to be expensive and useless. Osteopathy however makes me feel ten years younger after a session.

No. I wound up with a crook who did a lot of harm over a five month period. He is registered with the Osteopaghic Council. Essentially he groomed me as a cash cow so he could keep me coming back. Miss information and out right lies. Now my problem is far worse and since I got a true diagnosis from a physio who specialises in female pelvic disorders I'm furious. I know now how he misled me and even bullied me. Personally, I will never go to an osteopath again and I can't recommend anyone else to go either. Osteopaths who work through the NHS may be the exception. There is no reliable proof that osteopathy works which is why the vast majority have to practice privately. BUYER BE WARE!

I would go to a private physio every time over an osteopath or chiropractor

I'm prone to joint issues and alternate an osteopath and sports massage.
I started going with post-natal PGP that was still agony and limiting my mobility months after birth.
I'm prone to going out of alignment and it stops little niggles escalating.

The osteopath is a good all-round therapist covering physion, hands-on corrections, massage and occasionally other therapies such as accupunture which really eases out stubborn muscle knots.

He's helped DS with his asthma (his chest muscles get tight when he's had flare ups so releasing that tension helps calm his breathing- he does also use his prescribed medication!) and with migraines which caused a lot of neck and cranial tension.

I could easily spend more on hair and nails that don't add to my wellbeing.

Just to report back as the thread’s been added to. I did go and it’s been helpful. It was very gentle.

Not all Osteopaths click things. They all work differently depending on where they trained.
Osteopathy is not based on pseudoscience. Osteopaths are trained in anatomy, physiology, orthopaedics and general medicine as practiced by your GP as well as Osteopathy and osteopathic technique.
Osteopathy is a statutorily regulated profession and all practising osteopaths are educated to at least the level of a first degree. Many have MSc's and/or Doctorates. Again, quite a number have other professional qualifications.
Chiropractic is also an SRP and all the same applies.
The first Chiropractor was a qualified Osteopath who thought his ideas were an advance. A few of them were but Osteopaths know about those now and use them.
Many Osteopaths have areas of special interest and/or additional specialist qualifications. For instance, there are paediatric Osteopaths who (Obv) treat babies and children. However, don't assume that your local Osteopath isn't happy treating kids and very good at it. Having the extra paper qualification its trumped by experience.
Some Osteopaths are trained in Craniosacral osteopathy. These people work very gently and can often tackle a wide range of problems including those most people think lie exclusively within the area of competence of doctors.
You should ask around for a recommendation as not all Osteopaths are created equal but they are all safe.