Manual Osteopathy
What is Osteopathy:
Osteopathy is a form of hands-on manual therapy that is gentle and non-invasive. It focuses on the body’s interrelationship between structure and function, and the body’s ability to heal itself when all systems are working in harmony. The body is a single dynamic unit of function, when there is an issue in one part of the body, it will affect others and start to compensate. The practitioner looks for asymmetries and restriction of motion in assessment and then uses a variety of manual techniques, to improve mobility, relieve tension, and enhance the overall function of the body.
This approach can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions, including back and neck pain, sports injuries, headaches, chronic pain, inflammation, digestive issues and more.
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Sarah Martin
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At our clinic, we provide gentle manual osteopathy treatments for a broad range of conditions. Here are some of the conditions we commonly treat:
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Back pain: Whether acute or chronic, lumbar or upper back, we assess movement, tissue tension, posture and spinal mechanics to restore comfort and function.
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Neck pain: From headaches, stiffness, whiplash, or postural strain — we address neck motion, shoulder-girdle tension and contributing factors.
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Shoulder pain: Including frozen shoulder, rotator-cuff issues, repetitive-strain or compensation patterns — we support improved mobility and recovery.
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Arthritis: Joint stiffness, reduced mobility and functional limitations from arthritis are managed via joint mobilisation, soft-tissue release and structural support.
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Sciatica: Pain and nerve-related symptoms radiating through the leg from the lower back or pelvis — we target structural and muscular factors to relieve nerve pressure.
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Headaches: Especially those with a musculoskeletal origin (neck/shoulder tension, posture, joint motion) — we address the root mechanical causes contributing to headache patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
While both osteopaths and chiropractors work with the musculoskeletal system and use hands-on techniques, there are some key differences in approach.
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A chiropractor tends to focus primarily on the spine and joints and the nervous system—especially spinal adjustments to correct alignment.
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An osteopath, on the other hand, views the body as a whole, emphasising the interrelationship between structure and function, and treating joints, muscles, connective tissue, organs and their movement patterns.
So while there’s overlap, if you’re looking for a whole-body holistic manual approach, osteopathy may be the more suitable choice.
The main focus of osteopathy is to support the body’s natural ability to heal itself by ensuring that the structure (bones, joints, muscles, connective tissue) and function (movement, mobility, circulation, nervous system) are working in harmony.
In practice, this means assessing not just the site of pain but how the surrounding structures, posture, movement patterns and lifestyle may be contributing. At our clinic, we apply this philosophy to gently restore mobility, reduce tension and enhance function.
Yes—back pain is one of the most common issues addressed in osteopathy. Through manual techniques, posture and movement advice, and structural assessment, osteopathy aims to relieve back pain by addressing the underlying causes—not just masking symptoms.
Osteopathy can be a very useful component in managing arthritis—by improving joint mobility, reducing tension in surrounding tissues, enhancing circulation and supporting overall musculoskeletal health.
Yes—especially headaches that have a musculoskeletal or postural component (for example those triggered by neck tension, shoulder tightness or poor posture). Osteopathy can address the underlying physical stresses contributing to these headaches.
