One hesitates to outline a list of problems as this may limit the potential and scope of osteopathy. Osteopaths are capable of treating a wide range of disorders. Before the age of antibiotics osteopathy had the reputation of being helpful in the treatment of pneumonia, for example. However, it is safe to say that generally, if there is a problem with a muscle or a joint, an osteopath can treat it. At first sight, osteopathy may not look an obvious choice for treatment of conditions, for example, irritable bowel syndrome until you realize that the bowel is made up of muscle and that muscles become tense and tight when a patient becomes stressed. Indeed, it becomes difficult to think of any condition that would not be improved, in some way, by osteopathy. It is obvious that osteopathy cannot cure a chronic condition such as arthritis but it can help lessen many of its painful symptoms.
Stated below is a list of problems which are proven (evidence based) to be successfully treated through osteopathic treatment:
Osteopaths are trained to treat all ages but the majority of our patients are adults. As we get older the stresses and strains of life play out in the musculoskeletal system, and osteopaths by using their hands, can carefully find and treat any dysfunction. In fact, like going regularly to the dentist, it is a good thing to go to the osteopath to check your musculoskeletal system even when you don’t have any major dysfunctions.
