To think this is what osteopaths do?

[FairTurtle]

Spin-off of my earlier thread about back pain...

Does anyone have much experience of osteopaths, and what they're supposed to do, or typically do? I've seen mine 3 times now for lower back pain lasting about 6 weeks. I assume this probably is just what osteopathy is...but he basically quite gently presses into my muscles, and sometimes very gently moves my limbs and applies some pressure. He doesn't seem to have much insight/much to say about what might be causing my issue. But maybe that's normal? Obviously I'm also seeing a physio and doing exercises.

Is this what others' experiences of osteopathy have been? Wondering if it's worth trying to find someone else.

Yep thats what they do - seems like it cant possibly be doing anything but omg the relief it gave me from my sciatica and spd!! Incredible, mines a miracle worker.

Mine does however fully explain the issue to me and suggest exercises. Have you asked yours for their thoughts?

Mine does this but is vocal about what’s causing my issues. Ime it’s the exercises you need to do every day at home which will make the difference and it takes time.

They can do a more robust manipulation and crunching of problem areas, as well as the more gentle version that can feel like "not doing much". The gentle version focuses on making a connection with the tissues and suppprting them to rebalance and unwind.

Best practice should treat holistically,.ie focus on the "problems" in the context of the entire body.

Source: boyfriend is an osteopath - but this is my description, not his.

Try a chiropractor, mine is a miracle worker! You can feel (and sometimes hear!) things realigning.

Mine lay on top of me and jumped. I recall nothing gentle about it but I was in a terrible state at the time and could barely walk.

She gave me a bunch of exercises and told me she wanted me fixed asap and off her books as she was very busy. I saw her 5 or 6 times and life improved immeasurably. Remarkable woman she is, about 5 foot 2 and 7 stone wet through.

I took my 13 year old to the osteopath fir back pain, and she dud a bit of massaging, and them a fast test which made a loud pop which made it feel better instantly

• A fast twist

Osteopathy is a pseudoscience and most of the practitioners are con artists. Look it up.

I think that’s chiropractors. Osteopathy is a three year degree. I agree chiropractors are total quacks.

In the UK, osteopathy is a regulated health profession and the title of osteopath is protected by law. It is unregulated in other countries.

https://aarontraffas.com/2009/todays-quackery-osteopathic-manipulative-medicine/

Osteopaths will still tell you they can manipulate your spine so yeah…not much better than chiropractors

Having used an osteopath, a chiropractor and a physiotherapist, I find it hard to tell the difference. For me it's less about the job title, more about the individual talent

I've been a few times and have always been fixed after one session (years between each bout). There is nothing gentle about it, I've been pushed and pulled and jumped on. Heard the cracks and pops. It's not painful but gives me the heebeejeebies. (No idea how to spell that 😂)
Once I could barely walk into the building and walked out with ease. Expensive but always worth it.

I had an amazing osteopath once, fixed the problem in one session, never to return

I’m a sports therapist working with an osteopath and a physiotherapist, honestly there’s not much difference in what we do. We do all have different strengths and areas of interest. Majority of treatment is heavily exercise based with some soft tissue work and joint mobilisation (not the giant cracks!) to enable movement where it’s clinically indicated. If you are seeing an osteopath who only uses hands on treatment, doesn’t explain what they are doing and why, and have to see a physio in addition, you are wasting your money and I would look for a better practitioner in your shoes.

I wouldn’t be able to walk without pain if I hadn’t visited osteopaths over the years.
I had already seen a consultant rheumatologist who made me worse and had lots of physiotherapy that did nothing.

Chiropractic is associated with stroke. And a colleague told me of a friend of his who had been paralysed by a chiropractor. I wouldn't let a chiropractor near me.
I have had osteopathy, and it is at least properly regulated, but I'd be very wary of anyone cracking bones in my neck. It didn't work btw because no real attempt was made at diagnosis.
(The really stupid one is cranial osteopathy. Apparently it's all about the characteristics of the flow of brain fluid in your head. Ok...)

Yes, best person I’ve seen is someone with a level 5 diploma in soft tissue massage. She does sports injury type massages not relaxing massages and is great.

Osteopathy is regulated worldwide, and in USA, osteopaths have to train and quality as a physican first, hence why you can work anywhere as an osteopath apart from USA.

Osteopathy training is 4 years B ost, or for integrated masters. Can also do 5 year part time M ost.
They're regulated health care professionals, who also work in the NHS.

Chiropractors also undertake the same training, though not accept AHPs. It's their business model of 5 - 10 min appointments that put people off (me too). Neither of them are quacks.

Depends on the type of injury/pathology you have, to what treatment you will receive. Everything should always be explained to you, in order to give informed consent.

BTEC level 5 STT is a year course, massive difference in training - but it really does come down to the practitioner and the therapy that works for each individual.

Physiotherapy is all about evidence based practice, hands off, rehab. Unless you have an old school physio, or they've done additional soft tissue courses.

My health visitor recommended a cranial osteopath when DS was a baby with colic/tummy issues. They treated very young babies for no charge.
I remember if the practioner even made contact with him at all - they just put their hands near him but it definitely seemed to help

I visited a chiropractor, but also 10yrs on and off with various osteopaths and physios both here and abroad- mainly for back issues.

IMO- the chiropractor wanted to book me in for X amount of sessions at the door, it felt commerical and very much a money making buisiness.

All osteopaths have all been far more holistic and if one session sorts the issue, that's been fine. They say to only come back IF I need it again. I've often been moved into certain positions then have to passively push against their hand/leg etc, breath, now push again etc. Sometimes its been more of a release from quick push/pull with instant relief of the pain. Sometimes its more pressure/massage- but far more targeted than say a beauty massage.

Physios have given ME exercises to do at home and I found it beneficial at strengthening muscles after an injury.

In regards to the ostepaths, some have explained what they are doing, what they can feel etc. Others have said very little, and 1 woman didn't stop talking about her personal life. Nothing about my back or what she found! I would be worth seeing another one OP, so you can compare. You might get on better with the other one, but IMO, they are fantastic!

Thanks everyone! How long did it take you to notice a difference? I.e. how many appointments?