What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a form of manual healthcare that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal and functional disorders through hands-on techniques. It is based on the principle that the structure and function of the body are closely interrelated, and that restoring normal movement and balance within tissues can support the body’s natural ability to self-regulate and heal.
Osteopathy was founded in the late 19th century by Andrew Taylor Still in the United States. Dissatisfied with the medical practices of his time, which relied heavily on medication and invasive procedures, Still developed a system of treatment that emphasized anatomy, physiology, and manual therapy. In 1892, he established the first school of osteopathy and promoted a medical philosophy that viewed the body as an integrated functional unit.
The philosophy of osteopathy is commonly summarized by several core principles: the body is a unit (mind, body, and spirit are interconnected); the body possesses self-regulatory and self-healing mechanisms; structure and function are interrelated; and treatment should be based on these principles. Osteopathic practitioners use a range of manual techniques—including soft tissue techniques, joint mobilization, and manipulation—to improve mobility, circulation, and nervous system function.
Today, osteopathy is practiced worldwide, although its role varies between countries. In some countries, such as the United States, osteopathic physicians are fully trained and licensed medical doctors, while in many other countries osteopaths work as manual therapists specializing in the musculoskeletal system. Osteopathic treatment is commonly used for conditions such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, and other functional disorders, with an emphasis on patient-centered care and a holistic approach to health.
Muscles & Joints
Parietal Osteopathy
Parietal osteopathy, often regarded as the physical foundation of osteopathy, focuses on the complex balance of your muscles, bones and joints. By addressing physical misalignments and restoring natural range of motion, we help your body regain its balance. This approach is particularly effective in promoting good posture and improving mobility.
During a session, various manual techniques are used – such as gentle stretching or moving the joints through their natural range of motion – which aim to release tense areas. Most patients find this experience very soothing and often feel a sense of lightness and effortless movement immediately after
treatment.
Osteopathy has been shown to be helpful in the treatment of chronic non-specific low back pain (Conde-Vázquez et al., 2025). The complexity of back pain warrants a broad approach to treatment, as the multifactorial genesis of the complaint should be addressed. This is why an osteopathic approach may be of benefit and may contribute to the effectiveness of its treatment (Zahra et al., 2025). An osteopathic consultation is longer than a typical clinical consultation because it takes multiple factors into account. Examples of this could be asking questions about nutrition, work conditions, psychosocial influences and many other subcategories that have been shown to play a role in the genesis of the complaint, as seen in the image below (Cholewicki et al., 2019). This influences the way we work. A patient complaining of neck pain may receive treatment of the elbow due to a previous injury there, which has caused a muscular imbalance and compensatory mechanism that causes the shoulder to be overworked and further causes overstrain of the neck. This is one of many examples of the way osteopaths work.
Simply said, the osteopath wants to find the cause of the complaint, and a thorough medical history uptake and examination are necessary for this, which in turn allows the treatment to be more targeted and effective.
Visceral Osteopathy
Internal Organs
Visceral osteopathy is another cornerstone of osteopathy, focusing on the health of your internal organs and the surrounding tissue. By applying gentle, rhythmic pressure to the abdomen and chest, we work to release tension and improve blood circulation in areas such as the stomach and intestines.
This approach can be particularly beneficial for people suffering from digestive problems or referred tension in the back and neck (Rodriguez Mesa, 2025). Various techniques are used to release tension in the connective tissue surrounding the internal organs, thereby alleviating complex symptoms.
While the effectiveness of visceral osteopathy remains a topic of debate, it may still be valuable given the complex nature of many complaints—a complexity that academic studies often struggle to fully capture. Although I do not rely on visceral manipulation as a standalone treatment, I believe it has therapeutic potential when used in combination with other modalities.
Craniosacral Osteopathy
Skull & Sacrum
This exceptionally gentle approach focuses on the subtle rhythms of the head, spine and nervous system. Using a light touch – often no heavier than the weight of a coin – I work to release deep-seated patterns of tension and blockages within the craniosacral system. During treatment, patients typically describe a feeling of deep stillness, warmth or peaceful, restorative relaxation, allowing the body to enter a state of deep calm and natural rebalancing.
Cranial osteopathy is perhaps one of the most debated aspects of osteopathic practice. My approach to its use is similar to that of visceral techniques: I do not apply it as a standalone treatment, but rather in combination with other modalities. While the evidence remains contested, I have observed positive anecdotal outcomes in many of my patients, which is why I continue to use and refine my skills in craniosacral osteopathy.
A specialised approach to the treatment of headaches
Headaches – whether migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches or other types – are complex and are often influenced by numerous factors. That is why I take a thorough and personalised approach, starting with a detailed examination to rule out any underlying medical conditions and gain a better understanding of the causes of your symptoms.
Treatment is multimodal and combines manual therapy with exercise, education and lifestyle strategies to address both the physical and neurological aspects of headaches.
I also use the Headstrong programme – a structured, evidence-based approach that focuses on improving neck and upper body function, building strength and supporting the regulation of the nervous system. This enables us not only to reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches, but also to provide you with practical tools to manage them better in the long term.