What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a form of manual medicine. It promotes healing by focusing on how the skeleton, joints, muscles, nerves, circulation, connective tissue and internal organs function.
Using skilled evaluation, diagnosis and a wide range of hands-on techniques, osteopaths can identify types of dysfunction in your body. Osteopathic treatment uses techniques such as stretching and massage to treat the soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments). Mobilisation and manipulation of specific joints and soft tissues using direct or indirect techniques may be used alongside
In New Zealand
Osteopaths are university trained in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general medical diagnosis and osteopathic techniques. Osteopaths are trained to recognise conditions that require medical referral. They work with other registered health professionals, including general practitioners, specialists and radiologists, to provide the best service to their patients.
Active Osteopathy is a registered ACC treatment provider. Therefore, you do not require a referral from your GP to receive ACC-covered treatment. Some private health insurers also cover osteopathic appointments.
The Osteopathic approach is unique as it looks at the body as a single unit. In summary, Osteopaths don’t just consider the site of pain but look for the ultimate cause of your complaint and determine where the problem might have started in the body.