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Osteopathy can be used to treat mental health issues related to back pain – new study

Published on: Saturday 13th March 2021

https://theconversation.com/osteopathy-can-be-used-to-treat-mental-health-issues-related-to-back-pain-new-study-94845Millions worldwide suffer from chronic musculoskeletal back pain (lasting more than three months). The problem is so big that in the UK alone, it is estimated that 116m days of work are lost, a million hospital appointments are made and five million GP visits are scheduled – just for low back pain. 

The physical agony is often not a standalone problem, however. 35% of people who suffer with low back pain are also diagnosed with depression, anxiety and social isolation.

NICE guidelines suggest that chronic back pain sufferers should have physical therapy as part of a broader package of treatment which includes psychological help. But we have been exploring how one single type of osteopathic treatment can be used to treat both the physical and mental conditions.

is a drug-free medical approach which uses touch-based massage, manipulation of soft tissue and joints, and spine mobilisation procedures, to diagnose and treat pain related conditions. Practitioners use a structured evaluation to identify dysfunction relating to the skull, spine, pelvis and abdomen, as well as upper and lower limbs, and target treatment.

OMT has already been found to be effective for several types of muscoskeletal pain, such as chronic neck pain. In addition, it has been proven to be more effective than the standard primary care options – such as exercise and painkillers – at improving quality of life for those with persistent low back pain three and 12 months into treatment. 

Researchers have also shown that OMT can reduce subacute (between acute and chronic) low back pain. Accordingly, spinal mobilisation and manipulation alone have been found to be effective for acute, subacute and chronic low back pain. 

While this is all very positive, there is a pattern here. The limited OMT research has focused mostly on physical problems, not the associated mental health issues. 

Treating mental health issues

To find out more about how osteopathy could potentially affect mental health, at our university health and well-being academy, we have recently conducted one of the first studies on the psychological impact of OMT – with positive results. 

Spine mobilisation.Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

For the last five years, therapists at the academy have been using OMT to treat members of the public who suffer from a variety of musculoskeletal disorders which have led to chronic pain. To find out more about the mental health impacts of the treatment, we looked at three points in time – before OMT treatment, after the first week of treatment, and after the second week of treatment – and asked patients how they felt using mental health questionnaires.

This data has shown that OMT is effective for reducing anxiety and psychological distress, as well as improving patient self-care. But it may not be suitable for all mental illnesses associated with chronic pain. For instance, we found that OMT was less effective for depression and fear avoidance. 

All is not lost, though. Our results also suggested that the positive psychological effects of OMT could be further optimised by combining it with therapy approaches like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Some research indicates that psychological problems such as anxiety and depression are associated with inflexibility, and lead to experiential avoidance. ACT has a positive effect at reducing experiential avoidance, so may be useful with reducing the fear avoidance and depression (which OMT did not significantly reduce). 

Other researchers have also suggested that this combined approach may be useful for some subgroups receiving OMT where they may accept this treatment. And, further backing this idea up, there has already been at least one pilot clinical trial and a feasibility study which have used ACT and OMT with some success.

Looking to build on our positive results, we have now begun to develop our ACT treatment in the academy, to be combined with the osteopathic therapy already on offer. Though there will be a different range of options, one of these ACT therapies is psychoeducational in nature. It does not require an active therapist to work with the patient, and can be delivered through internet instruction videos and homework exercises, for example. 

Looking to the future, this kind of low cost, broad healthcare could not only save the health service money if rolled out nationwide but would also mean that patients only have to undergo one treatment.

Stephen; I feel so much better after the treatment. It is quite a remarkable improvement. I have regained almost 100% movement in my thoracic spine and my lower back is gradually loosening up. I can now feel and use my stomach muscles again. I have gone from spending two very bad nights as I could not get comfortable in any position and experiencing a succession of very painful and exhausting spasms to being able to sleep on my back and my side. My breathing is also deeper. I cannot thank you enough for fitting me in your busy working day, and for doing the treatment on a chair and for giving me the confidence to relax so that healing can take place.

Sabine, SW London

I am from Greece. I have a severe musculoskeletal problem affecting my upper and lower back. In my country, I have physical therapy sessions weekly for the past 30 years. I came to London to visit my daughter for 4 months. I had to find a therapist so as not to cease treatment for my back. I visited Simon after reading the reviews on the center’s website. Without any hesitation I want to say that I was ecstatic with the results of his work. Simon was able to meet all my needs based merely on my descriptions without even having to see X-rays of my back. He is incredibly nice, knowledgeable, motivated and friendly. I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart and I hope that he stays well and continues to offer his services to people in need for many many years to come.

Eleni from Greece.

Lara’s thoughtful, gentle, confident and knowledgeable approach results in the most expert therapeutic massage one could hope to receive. The outcome is therefore a very holistic one in which specific discomforts have been eased with and overall relaxation achieved at the same time. 


Helen, Colliers Wood

I have been seeing Steve on and off for years. Every time I see him I feel as if I have been put back together. He’s an incredible osteopath. I highly recommend the practice because of their ethos and very high standard of treatment.

Claire, SW19

As a 74 year old, I felt totally secure with Stephen. He always discussed what he planned to do and his treatments have been so helpful. He is really gentle and completely effective with what he does. It's a wonderful practice, and I would recommend Stephen to anyone.

Susan, SW London

I rate Stephen very highly and would recommend him to anyone.

Jonathan M

Our 10 week old baby was so tetchy and uncomfortable. He was crying all the time and writhing about seemingly with ongoing pain due to his bubbling tummy. Stephen Beaver held him gently and I don't know what he did, but after a few treatments there are no more issues, and he is a settled happy chap. Stephen also noticed the baby's head was tuning always to one side, and this has also been resolved with treatment. Great result. Thanks so much

Jude, Kingston

I want to thank you Stephen for a great treatment last week. You freed up my whole spine which has been wonderful. You also addressed the specific problem area which is great and has given me my confidence back to return my circuit training. I feel so much better. Thank you again.

Wendy, Morden

Finding Simon has had a profound impact on my health and recovery. I have found him to be a wonderful balance of professionalism coupled with a sensitivity and intuition that had supported me when I most needed it.

Anna, London

I have had several treatments with Steve over the years for neck pain, back pain and under active thyroid. Steve has natural healing hands as well as a bank of experience and knowledge, which enhance his effectiveness. He is a very skilled practitioner both sensitive and subtle with powerful results; I have completely recovered from these conditions.

Chrissie C Streatham