The myBackPain assessment identifies the most likely cause of your pain and whether it is the type that responds well to manual therapy. Results in minutes.
regulated — all osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council to practise in the UK
4–5
year Masters-level degree — the most extensive manual therapy training in the UK
Whole-body
approach — assessment and treatment considers the full musculoskeletal system, not just the painful area
What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that takes a whole-body approach to musculoskeletal health. Osteopaths assess the body as an integrated system and use a range of manual techniques to reduce pain, restore movement, and support the body’s own recovery. In the UK, osteopathy is a government-regulated healthcare profession — all osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).
Osteopaths in the UK complete a four or five year Masters-level degree programme covering anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical examination, and a range of manual therapy techniques. They are trained to screen for conditions requiring medical management and to refer appropriately.
What happens in an osteopathic consultation
History taking
A detailed clinical history covering the nature, onset, and behaviour of your pain; your general health; medications; previous investigations and treatments; and lifestyle factors.
Physical examination
Postural assessment, movement testing, orthopaedic and neurological examination, and palpatory assessment of the spine and related structures.
Clinical reasoning
The osteopath formulates a diagnosis or differential, identifies any red flags or referral needs, and explains their findings in plain language.
Treatment
A combination of techniques selected for your specific presentation: soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, manipulation, muscle energy techniques, and exercise guidance.
Techniques used in osteopathy
Soft tissue techniques — massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy
Joint mobilisation — gentle repetitive movements to restore joint range
High-velocity thrust (manipulation) — the “click” technique; rapid low-amplitude impulse to restore joint movement
Muscle energy technique — uses the patient’s own muscle contraction to restore joint position and length
Functional and counterstrain techniques — gentle positional release approaches
Find out which treatment is most appropriate for your specific back pain
The myBackPain assessment identifies the most likely cause of your pain — and guides you toward the treatment approaches with the best evidence for your specific presentation.