Osteopathy is the recognised and established science of human mechanics; a system of diagnosis and treatment with the main emphasis on the structural and mechanical problems of the body.

It focuses on the musculoskeletal system (muscles, joints, ligaments etc.) and the way in which this interrelates with the body as a whole.

Trauma to any part of this system, be it from injury, disease, developmental or occupational reasons, will lead to a disruption of normal function of that part.

This can have knock-on effects. With this knowledge, your osteopath will use a variety of techniques to restore normality to the damaged region. This produces the best "environment" for the natural repair process to occur and thus reduce pain and disability.
Osteopathy is not a new treatment, it is about as old as modern medicine. It started in the 1870s in the United States and arrived in Great Britain about 70 years ago. The first school in Britain, The British School of Osteopathy, was founded in 1917 in London. Following the introduction of the Osteopaths Act in 1993, osteopathy became the first complimentary health care profession to be accorded statutory recognition.