An osteopath can help improve performance as well as treat the
injuries being suffered. By using their knowledge of diagnosis
and highly developed palpatory skills they can help to restore
structural balance, improve joint mobility and reduce
adhesions and soft tissue restrictions so that ease of movement
is restored and performance enhanced.
For those into sports, the osteopath can help you keep supple
and improve muscle tone so reducing the risk of injury to soft
tissues unaccustomed to the extra work they are being asked to
do. Advice on diet and exercise which will help you with
your specific sport may also be offered.
To qualify, an osteopath must study for four to five years for
an undergraduate degree. This is similar to a medical degree,
with more emphasis on anatomy and musculoskeletal medicine and
includes more than 1,000 hours of training in
osteopathic techniques. By law, osteopaths must register with
the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). It is an offence for
anyone to call themselves an osteopath if they are not
registered.