15/07/2025
𝟏𝟎 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝
Osteopathy is a well established form of healthcare in the UK, but it’s often misunderstood. Whether it’s confusion over qualifications or the scope of what osteopaths can treat, myths can easily cloud people’s perception. So let’s set the record straight. Here are 10 Osteopathy Myths in the UK and the truth behind each one.
𝟏. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬
Osteopaths in the UK are fully qualified and regulated healthcare professionals. They are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), a statutory body set up under the Osteopaths Act 1993, and are one of the Allied Health Professions. Osteopaths are trained to assess, diagnose and treat patients independently. To practise, an osteopath must complete a GOsC Recognised Qualification – usually an MOst or BOst degree, which takes 3.5 to 4 years on a full-time basis (longer if studying part-time), including at least 1000 hours of clinical training.
𝟐. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧
While osteopaths are well known for helping people with back pain, their scope is much broader. They treat a range of musculoskeletal issues, including:
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Hip and knee problems
- Headaches (of musculoskeletal origin)
- Arthritis-related pain
- Sports injuries
- Postural imbalances
- Repetitive strain injuries
Despite the myth, osteopaths take a whole-body approach, often addressing areas that may be contributing to symptoms elsewhere. Infact osteopaths treat the person not the condition, and seek to influence overall health via the musculoskeletal and associated neurological and circulatory systems.
𝟑. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜
Although they both use manual therapy and can treat musculoskeletal conditions, osteopathy and chiropractic care are distinct professions. The main differences include:
Training focus: Chiropractors often focus more on spinal alignment and the nervous system, whereas osteopaths look at how the entire body functions together including joints, muscles, circulation and posture.
Treatment style: Chiropractors often use spinal manipulation as a core technique, while osteopaths use a wider variety of methods such as soft tissue work, joint mobilisation, balancing techniques and lifestyle advice (including exercise).
𝟒. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝
Modern osteopathy is increasingly informed by evidence and continues to evolve with new research. NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommends manual therapy – including osteopathy – as part of a treatment plan for conditions such as chronic lower back pain.
Osteopaths also undergo training in evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning.
𝟓. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞
Ethical osteopaths do not claim to cure illnesses like cancer or mental illnesses. Their role is to support the body’s natural function and reduce strain or tension that may be contributing to symptoms or secondary issues.
For example, osteopaths may help ease musculoskeletal discomfort during pregnancy, reduce tension headaches or support recovery after injury – but will refer a patient to a GP if the condition is outside of their scope.
𝟔. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬
The “crack” (the technical term being a “high velocity thrust” technique), is just one of the many tools an osteopath may use – but contrary to the myth, some osteopaths choose to not use it at all.
Osteopathy encompasses a wide range of techniques, including:
- Soft tissue massage
- Joint mobilisation
- Stretching
- Muscle energy techniques
- Gentle balancing, fascial or listening techniques
- Postural and breathing correction
- Exercise and rehabilitation plans
An osteopath’s treatment is always tailored to the individual and their comfort level.
𝟕. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬
Osteopathy is considered a very safe form of treatment, especially when performed by a registered osteopath.
Like all medical interventions, there are small risks with manual therapy (such as soreness or mild bruising), but serious complications are extremely rare. Osteopaths are trained to take a full medical history, screen for red flags and modify or avoid treatment when risks are present.
𝟖. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐆𝐏 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡
You do not need a GP referral to see an osteopath. Osteopaths are primary healthcare professionals, which means a patient can go and see an osteopath without another healthcare practitioner being involved.
𝟗. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
Many health insurance providers do cover osteopathic treatment. You need to check their process, as they may need to pre-authorise, and may require a GP appointment first.
𝟏𝟎. 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬
Osteopaths are trained to treat people of all ages. Some osteopaths have additional training in paediatric or cranial osteopathy, which uses very gentle techniques suitable for newborn babies and infants.
Osteopaths can also help with:
- Pregnancy-related pain
- Infant feeding and sleep issues
- Postural development in children
- Age-related mobility issues in older adults
