To think osteopathy is "woo woo" therapy?

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

Apparently, this makes me UR and that it's not comparable to homeopathy. So, MNers what do you think?

As for phrenology, its bunkum like so many other historical medical ideas that is why it was dropped by sensible people

If you visit an osteopath how do you tell if this is the good kind that only does manipulation to stretch muscles and joints (which you could get from a physiotherapist) and not the woo kind?

Can't the ones that only practice actual medicine form a professional body with a name they can use and refuse admission to the others?

It's sounding like the problem that religion has. People calling themselves Christian and then complaining that they have to keep explaining that they are not homophobic, misogynistic loons who believe in invisible angels, hells full of pointy tailed demons and talking donkeys.

Back, its a good question. Start with recommendations if you know anyone who has been there ask them about it. Take a look at their website and if it talking in a woo way about treating non musculoskeletal conditions move on! Talk to the osteopath ask some questions like 'are you woo?'! If I was asked this I would understand exactly what the enquirer was getting at trust your instincts, even following consultation you are under no obligation to accept treatment so if you don't feel comfortable, walk.
Most therapists will be happy to have a 10 main chat with you free of charge so that you can get a feel for them, so to speak.

Lol at like religion it sometimes feels like it but unless there are complaints against someone its hard to take action.

I completely trust my osteo. I knew her before I went for treatment, and knew that she had studied hard for years. She had been a professional sports person and treats a couple of national teams - so I was confident that she wasn't going to cripple me. Nothing she has ever done has made me thing 'hello, that's a bit weird...'. Anyone who can sort out my back in one or two visits is a magician as far as I am concerned.

I've not come across any 'witch doctor' types in the osteo world but have in my work as a therapist (some complete bloody idiots who should be kept in isolation, in my opinion).

Back, to expand on Cairos post to your question. There is a professional body, the General Osteopath Council. The problem is cranial osteopaths (which some may refer to as woo) are fully trained osteopaths who have followed the cranial pathos will be on the professional register. The not so woo side of osteopathy is often called structural (I'm sure there are some woo structural osteopaths too!) so you can always ask if they are more a structurally or cranial osteopath.

But as Cairo said - recommendations are always best but not foolproof.

Of course it's not woo. It's physical massage and manipulation. How could that be woo?

I accepted I was unreasonable and wrong a while ago. :)

For those in the know - I have an inflammatory joint condition (Rheumatoid Arthritis), wouldn't it be dangerous for someone to manipulate inflamed synovial fluid?

Cairo, 'chiro' is NOT a professional qualification. 'Osteo' I may accept (begrudgingly), but 'chiro' never. If you want to pull bones, be an orthopedic surgeon. If you're not clever enough to do that, be an osteo. If you lack any kind of understanding re:science and medicine, be a chiro.

I went to an osteopath quite regularly for upper/middle back pain, with reasonable success.

Until I was "overtreated" and had to call an OOH doctor out because I had agonising, paralysing spasms. The doctor rolled his eyes and explained this was not an unusual outcome after treatment by an osteopath but that chiropractors were even worse.

He gave me a painkilling injection in my neck which worked immediately, I could have kissed him I was that grateful.

He advised me to go to my GP and ask for Arthrotec, and I swear by it now. I have to take it for maybe 2 days every 18 months or so, it's brilliant.

Cranial osteopathy is total bollocks.

Maid, that is clearly a goady post and I will refrain from rising.

The thread was about osteopathy, glad you can accept it as a legitimate profession.

Yanbu. DH studied osteopathy as a mature student at the BSO for a year (3 year degree) before he gave up, after discovering it was all total woo and none of what they did was evidence based. He couldn't bring himself, as a scientist, to practice a woo placebo for a living, even though he would likely have made a fortune.

That said, placebos are terribly effective for some!
A small example - he was taught that 'cracking' actually does sod all physiologically, but makes the patient feel like something major has occurred so is an excellent tool in treatment.

Notoneformselfies - I don't think he stayed to learn enough. There is of course some placebo effective to treatment, any treatment but spinal manipulation has been shown to reduce pain and improve local movement. The study Cairo links to above lists some of the things that spinal manipulation has been linked too.

Candy - an osteopath would never manipulate an inflamed synovial joint. (Gentle) Treatment during the non inflamed stage can help maintain mobility, reduce contracture and aid function.

Also Notone - he wouldn't have made a fortune unless he's a very good business man and then he could make as much running a multi-disciplinary clinic as practicing himself.

I hate woo in all forms, wouldn't touch homeopathy with a barge pole, proud Pharyngulite etc. but osteopathy keeps me moving. It is amazing. Granted there are some bad ones but over the last 15 years have seen several good ones. My rheumatologist can't offer me much, but I can go into my osteopath in severe pain and 2 days later be much better. It isn't a cure but it does work. I hope more research will be done over the next few years which will show it isn't woo. A good osteopath is worth their weight in gold. Mine also treats our city's Rugby team.

Wouldn't go near a chiropractor, that is woo as far as I can see.

Well Itstartshere, you prove my point I think, much of all medicine is placebo, your osteopathy cures you but you won't touch chiropracy???

I have visited osteopaths but really pushing my back about isn't going to cure anything, if things moved whilst being pushed about we would all be wrecks with joints and bones misaligned, the truth is it takes a car accident before things start moving about and causing eg paralysis.

But if you believe someone has 'moved' something into place so that you must therefore feel better you will.

Homeopathy is always rubbished here but it seems to help the royal family live to a ripe old age, I would say it is woo, just like much of everyday medicine and osteopathy and chiropracy, some things do work but most of it is woo.

personally i wouldnt lump in a good osteopath with woo woo stuff, they are really good with lower back pain and do not recommend more visits than are necessary, unlike chiropractors who are pure woo woo show me your wallet.

I went to an Osteopath when I hurt my back skiing, it helped but I now have an amazing Chiropractor and get significant results from him so wouldn't bother with an Osteopath now. I found the bone cracking from chiropractor much more effective tbh.

YANBU - but for some reason cranial osteopathy works in my family. Tried it in desperation when DC1 was colicy and crying from 12am-6am daily - and it worked. Have used since for all sorts, and it has worked. Maybe placebo, who knows.

I know f-all about actual osteopathy but I know I wasted about £80 on a cranial osteopath, on a recommendation, for ds's terrible sleeping.

Dozey - itstarts here states it's not a cure!! Also osteopaths do not believe they move bones around!!

The noise is air bubbles,normally nitrogen bubbles being released. Studies have shown it works better than sham for a variety of conditions, see previously inks. Manipulation helps relax local soft tissues, helps gets joints moving (but doesn't change their position) and various other things.

Dd2 has chronic back pain at the ripe old age of 20. Lost count of the number of gps, physios,acupuncturists she has seen. Also had MRI scans and various other tests. When the pain is really bad the only person who can relive it is her wonderful osteopath so not woo as far as we are concerned. He has talked us in detail through the anatomy, the problems, the treatment and the exercises which can help. He's wonderful and better than countless GPS who just give her stronger and stronger painkillers.

I've been going to an osteopath for 6 months as my SPD had long outstayed its welcome and was getting more restrictive at 3m pp rather than improving, and was still affecting my normal activity. It made an immediate difference, and the improvement in the early weeks was brilliant. She also uses acupuncture which really helped release muscular tension that I'd had for months and ceased to notice other than a cramp which frequently occurred. It's stopped me from regularly needing pain killers to do basic functions, and given me enough function to exercise, which has helped develop my muscle strength reducing the imbalances that were causing the problems. The physio that I had in pregnancy wasn't enough on its own.

I recently broke my ankle very badly, I followed the physios instuctions & still had no movement, after 20 mins with an osteopath I could point my toes for the first time in months. People can think it is woo, having seen what it can do I would disagree with them

We've been taking dd to a cranial osteopath since the summer. She had 2 poor hearing tests and was diagnosed with glue ear - the ENT specialist wanted to do grommets as well as remove her tonsils and adenoids. We weren't keen on her going under a general anaesthetic at only 5 years old so decided to try CO whilst waiting for her next hospital appointment. At dd's first appointment the CO just seemed to massage her face a bit - I was disappointed and thought we had wasted money but the next day she was streaming with a heavy cold as all the fluid seemed to be draining from her ears/sinuses. After a few more treatments her hearing seemed to improve and she seemed less clumsy ( was always tripping up before - put it down to her ears making her unbalanced ). Eventually had another hearing test at the hospital which came back completely normal and grommet op was cancelled. Was it the CO that helped clear the glue ear or coincidence? I'm not entirely sure but I can't help but think the CO helped so she has a monthly appointment now to try and keep her ears clear.