Osteopathic Links : County Osteopaths : Cranial Osteopathic Clinic : Joanna Young, Lynette Topham & Jonathan Mussen : Osteopath Worcester, Malvern, Birmingham, Droitwich, Pershore, Bromsgrove, Evesham, Tewkesbury, Kidderminster, Redditch, Halesowen, Stourbridge

Osteopathy: Wikipedia US

Osteopathy was founded by Andrew Taylor Still M.D. (1828 - 1917) in reaction to what he perceived as inadequate medical treatment of his day. Specifically, he believed that other conventionally trained physicians over-prescribed to patients harsh and often toxic medications. He invented the name "osteopathy" by blending two Greek roots osteon- for bone and -pathos for suffering in order to communiciate his theory that disease and physiologic dysfunction were etiologically grounded in a disordered musculoskeletal system. Thus, by diagnosing and treating the musculoskeletal system, he believed that physicians could treat a variety of diseases and spare patients the negative side-effects of drugs. He intended his new system of medicine to be a reformation of the existing 19th century medical practices he knew and imagined that someday "rational medical therapy" would consist of manipulation of the musculoskeletal system, surgery, and very sparingly used drugs (for example, antiseptics, ointments, or laxatives).

Osteopathy: Wikipedia UK

Osteopathy is a theory of disease and method of cure founded on the assumption that deformation of some part of the skeleton and consequent interference with the adjacent nerves and blood-vessels are the cause of most diseases. (Oxford English Dictionary).

United States Government National Library of Medicine

Osteopathic medicine is dedicated to treating and healing the entire patient as a whole, rather than focusing on one system or body part. An osteopath will often use a treatment method called manipulation - a hands-on approach to assure that the body is moving freely. This free motion ensures that all of your body's natural healing systems are free to work unhindered.

Osteopaths hold to the principle that a patient's history of illness and physical trauma are written into the body's structure. The osteopath's highly developed sense of touch allows the physician to palpate (feel) the patient's "living anatomy" (the flow of fluids, motion and texture of tissues, and structural make-up).

The osteopath's job is to "set" the body to heal itself. To do so, the Osteopath gently applies a precise amount of force to promote healthy movement of tissues, eliminate abnormal movements, and release compressed bones and joints. In addition, the areas being treated require proper positioning to assist the body's ability to regain normal tissue function. This process is called osteopathic manual medicine (OMM) or osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).

Over the years, the gap between "conventional" medicine and osteopathic medicine has narrowed, as M.D.s have embraced many of the premises of osteopathic medicine (such as recognizing the impact of stress on the immune system or posture on various body systems). In addition, D.O.s have incorporated the diagnostic and treatment techniques common to conventional medicine.

Doctors of osteopathic medicine may be found in nearly any health care setting, from community clinics and private practices to academic medical centers.

In the UK all qualified osteopaths have DO (Diploma in Osteopathy – the four-year course completed before 1992), or BSc (Ost) (Degree in Osteopathy – the four-year course completed during or after 1992) or similar, after their names. Most osteopaths will have had four year full time or six year mixed attendance mode training. In May 2000 the Osteopaths Act came into effect to maintain standards within the profession. Since that date no-one has been allowed to practice as an osteopath unless they are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). You can only register if you have either completed a recognized training course after 2000 or trained before 2000 and undergone testing to show

competence. Osteopathy was the first profession of complementary therapists to achieve statutory regulation.

Cranial Osteopathy is taught alongside all other types of osteopathy at undergraduate level. However, developing the skills required to use Cranial techniques to any degree takes further post-graduate training and practice. There are currently no mandatory courses for this specialization the amount of further training undertaken being at the discretion of the individual osteopath.

Please see the section entitled About Us to see how Joanna, Lynette and Jonathan trained.

Cranial Osteopaths are trained to feel a very subtle, rhythmical shape change that is present in all body tissues. This is called Involuntary Motion or the Cranial Rhythm. The movement is of very small amplitude; therefore it takes practitioners with a very finely developed sense of touch to feel it. First described in the early 1900s by Dr William G. Sutherland with its existence being confirmed in a series of laboratory tests in the 1960s and '70s, this rhythm is now being investigated using Laser Doppler scanning.

Tension in the body disrupts the cranial rhythm. Practitioners compare what your rhythm is doing to what they consider ideal. This shows them what stresses and strains your body is under at present, and what tensions it may be carrying as a result of its past history. It also gives them an insight into the overall condition of your body, for example if it is healthy, or stressed or tired.

General Osteopathic Council

The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) is one of the 13 UK health and social care regulators. The regulators are set up to protect the public so that whenever you see a health or social care professional, you can be sure they meet the required standards.

The regulators are committed to public and patient involvement in developing our regulatory processes. Click here to find out about the work each regulator does and how to contact them.

The Council

Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales

The General Council comprises:

• 8 Lay Members appointed by the Privy Council

• 3 Members appointed by the Education Committee

• 1 Member appointed by the Secretary of State for Education & Skills

• 12 Osteopathic Members elected by the profession

Sutherland Cranial College

The SCC is an independent post graduate teaching organisation that was founded in 1993.We have a commitment to promoting and teaching the principles of osteopathy as conceived by A.T. Still, and developed by W.G. Sutherland.

With this work increasingly in demand from both within the osteopathic profession and from the public, it is important to be able to recognise practitioners who are skilled in using Osteopathy in the Cranial Field.

To fulfil this need, the SCC has developed a pathway of learning leading to a post graduate qualification in Osteopathy in the Cranial Field.

The Sutherland Society

The Society is the largest UK organisation for cranial osteopaths, with over 300 members in the UK and overseas.

The British School of Osteopathy

The BSO is the largest and oldest school of osteopathy in the UK; founded in 1917 it is respected throughout the world for providing high-quality, innovative and modern osteopathic education.

Osteopathic Centre for Children

At the OCC Clinics in London and Manchester babies and children are treated for such diverse conditions as asthma, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, eczema, epilepsy and sleeplessness, as well as more common childhood ailments like glue ear and colic.

Their team of 'flying osteopaths' treats babies at the neo-natal care unit of a London hospital, and they also care for pregnant women and their unborn children. Each year they provide over 30,000 treatments.

They are also committed to raising awareness amongst both the general public and health care professionals as to the benefits of osteopathy to children, and to the post-graduate training of osteopaths in paediatric osteopathy.

The Osteopathic Centre for Children is a charity that was set up by Patricia Ferrall and Stuart Korth in January 1991, with a Saturday morning clinic at the Royal Homeopathic Hospital, Queens Square, London WC1, around the corner from the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, where the OCC rented a room. The original clinic was staffed by volunteer osteopaths.

The OCC receives no statuary funding, and all funds are raised through charitable donations, including those made by parents who bring their children to the clinics. At present, the charity is providing around 30,000 treatments a year in its clinics in London and Manchester, while also providing a paediatric osteopathy service to the neonatal intensive care unit at Barnet General Hospital, in London.

European School of Osteopathy

The European School of Osteopathy is an osteopathic teaching institution approved by the General Osteopathic Council to provide training for student osteopaths who, on successful completion of the course, are eligible to apply for registration with the General Osteopathic Council. The School is dedicated to the provision of both undergraduate and postgraduate osteopathic training, emphasising all essential elements of good practice, sound management and quality care.

The British Osteopathic Association

The British Osteopathic Association, through its Executive and its elected Council, represents the views of members to the General Osteopathic Council, the Department of Health, local and national government agencies and other professional bodies. They use mailings, annual convention and a monthly magazine, Osteopathy Today, to obtain members’ opinions on osteopathic and business issues. They believe that their stand-alone independence is vital in carrying out their representational role and they conduct their business on the basis of openness and transparency.

The Prince of Wales: Speeches and Articles

An article by HRH The Prince of Wales titled Science and homeopathy must work in harmony, The Daily Telegraph

A speech by HRH The Prince of Wales at the launch of The Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health's Five Year Strategy

An article by HRH The Prince of Wales, titled Complementary and alternative medicine needs - and deserves - more research, The Times

The osteopath will ask in detail about various aspects of your or your child's symptoms and general health. A structural examination may be undertaken, requiring you to undress to your underwear for a few minutes whilst the osteopath checks your posture or assesses body movements. It may be necessary to carry out simple tests such as taking blood pressure or testing reflexes. Most patients come to an osteopath without having first consulted their doctor. Osteopaths are trained to ensure that no serious problems are overlooked.

The cranial osteopathic approach is gentle and should not cause undue discomfort, although assessment and treatment may require the handling of painful areas. The cranial approach involves a gentle hold of one of many boney areas where the cranial rhythm can most easily be found. This allows the osteopath to diagnose disturbance in the cranial rhythm and treat it with very gentle pressure. Most people find this treatment relaxing. Some patients experience soreness after treatment, similar to that felt after unaccustomed exercise. This usually lasts no more than 24 - 48 hours. Patients may also feel tired.

Whilst it can be highly effective at relieving symptoms, cranial osteopathy aims to treat the whole person and not just the condition, meaning that a very wide range of situations may benefit from treatment. These may include back and neck pain; joint pain and sports injuries; headaches, migraines and sinus problems; stress; recurrent infection; period pain; and digestive difficulties. Such treatment may also benefit general health and well-being.

In babies and children many problems such as crying, colic, sleeping and feeding difficulties may be alleviated. Further information about what we can treat is covered in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section.