Osteopathic treatment concentrates on the relationship between the structure of the body - the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues - and the way the body moves and functions.

Particular attention is paid to the spine, as it is the main channel for transmitting nerve signals from the brain to the organs and other parts of the body.

To an osteopath, the body functions as a complete, working system. So any problems that affect the body structure will upset the balance of our general health.

For this reason, an osteopath will not want to simply ease a specific problem, such as a pain in the neck. The osteopath will also want to know what is causing that pain. It could be anything from physical injury to mental anxiety.

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Hands-on

OSTEOPATHY is a hands-on therapy. Through touch, massage, manipulation and stretching techniques, an osteopath can diagnose and treat people with physical and emotional problems.

Since osteopaths are concerned with the structural integrity of the whole person, there are no formally recognized specialties. However, some practitioners develop their expertise in specific fields, such as the treatment of children, elderly, sports injuries or pregnancy-related problems.

Similarly, some osteopaths choose to concentrate on certain methods, such as cranial technique, which focuses on the patient's breathing and nervous system, concentrating on diagnosing and correcting imbalances through gentle manipulation of the skull.

Other practitioners specialize in visceral techniques, in which the organs are manipulated by massaging the abdomen or working on the nerve centers along the spine. This form of osteopathy can improve the position of an organ, break down adhesions, ease congested tissue and improve muscle function.