Menu
020 8543 3673

What Is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is an effective and natural approach to healthcare for all ages.

Osteopathy is a primary, regulated health care system. It is complementary to other medical practices and is suitable for almost anyone. It can be used as a single therapy or to contribute to medical treatments and management in a wide range of conditions. Osteopaths are known to work with muscles joints and bones, but the work is often more complex, affecting the nervous system and metabolic systems such as the lymphatic system.  Osteopaths always take a holistic and patient centred view, and gather relevant information and offer appropriate advice and encouragement.

A biological fact and principle behind osteopathy, is that the body is an integrated and indivisible whole, and contains self-healing mechanisms that can be utilised as part of the treatment. No part of the body works, or can be considered, in isolation. Relevant psychological and social factors also form part of the process of diagnosis.

Osteopathic diagnosis include listening to the patient's history, examining tissue quality, muscles and joints and observing movements. Other clinical investigations can also be used if required.

After a diagnosis and treatment plan is formulated and agreed, a wide range of gentle, non-invasive manual techniques are applied therapeutically.

Osteopaths will treat the whole person rather than just a specific condition - for example, an injury to your knee might also affect the foot, hip and spine.

Osteopathy can help relieve the symptoms of a range of conditions, including: 

  • aches and pains
  • joint pains including hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis in association with other treatment for this condition
  • arthritic pain
  • general, acute and chronic backache and back pain
  • neck pain
  • headaches
  • shoulder and elbow pain
  • joint pains and lumbago
  • sciatica
  • muscle spasms
  • tension
  • traumatic injuries 
  • the effects of emotional trauma

Osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council in order to practice. 

Treatments for adults, babies and children Find out more

Treatments

Find out about the work we do to help adults, babies and children. Here there is information about the range of conditions that we can help, the therapies we are able to provide and how we work.

What our patients say...

Most of our patients find out about us from people who have already had treatment. We recognise the value of recommendation and always endeavour to give the best and most appropriate treatment.

Get in touch

To find out more about how treatment may help, or if you are unsure if we are the right place for you, please contact us to discuss any concerns, prior to booking an appointment

My personal experience at SW19 Osteopaths has been wonderful. My osteopath, Charley, is vey efficient at her work whilst maintaining a professional manner. In addition to this, she is always on time for our appointments which is very helpful when on a tight schedule. I have now completed five sessions of osteopathy with Charley which have greatly benefited the issues I experience with my back. I would highly recommend attending SW19 Osteopaths especially having Charley as your therapist as she is very welcoming and great at answering any queries and/or questions you may have and overall amazing at what she does. Many thanks

Mark, Colliers Wood

Just before Christmas, my back ‘went’. By ‘went’ I mean I could barely walk and had constant pain in my lower back and leg. I was off work and spent most of the time lying on the floor. I was treated by Stephen and Simon, both of whom have a professional but very calm manner – ideal for anyone who’s in a lot of pain. They identified muscle and sciatic nerve damage. They obviously knew what they were doing because the pain gradually started to ease, such that by the beginning of March I was back on the treadmill in the gym. Would I use SW19Osteopaths again? Definitely. Only this time I’d go sooner.

Sam B, SW19

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.

I recommend Charley thoroughly. I have had years of sudden onsets of back pain that have interfered with daily life. I have never been sure of the difference between an osteopath, a chiropractor and a physio (despite even receiving some physio in the past that didn’t resolve the issue) and I was a bit sceptical of seeing an osteopath at first. I was incredibly impressed with Charley’s thorough initial consultation, checking every avenue for my back pain. The treatments have been remarkable and I am shocked by how quickly I have responded to Charley’s treatment and her detailed exercise plan to support my core and increase my back mobility. Charley’s manner is friendly; she puts you at ease whilst being professionally direct and always very attentive. I strongly recommend Charley.

Tariq, Colliers Wood

After suffering with severe pain in the left hand side of my back, I decided to seek advice from Simon. I had previously sought medical advice, but the condition had not improved. On the first consultation Simon took detailed notes and then suggested that I could be suffering from Spondylosis. He examined my back and spine and found that this was the case. He is a very caring and conscientious practitioner. I have been treated by Simon on a regular basis and he has made me feel much better and with his treatment and advice, the pain has decreased considerably. I would thoroughly recommend his service.

Penny, Colliers Wood

I saw Yan-Kei Man following a musculoskeletal injury, which she helped me treat. Impressed with Yan-Kei's professionalism and attentiveness, I have since introduced my young kids (3 and 5 years old) to osteopathy. In hindsight, a wise decision given that a scooter accident had left my 5 year old with a slight postural dysfunction. I thoroughly recommend Yan-Kei for her specialisation and impeccable manners.

Vina

I am just e-mailing you Stephen to let you know that my baby daughter’s tight tummy calmed down considerably after your treatment so thank you very much.

G. SW19

Steve always manages to put me back together again - then life is a pleasure!

Erica, Africa

Having suffered from a shoulder injury since last September and following unsuccessful physio, I decided to try SW19 Osteopath and Yan-Kei has been amazing. Not only has my mobility greatly improved as has my posture and knee pain, I am no longer in pain. Amazing at how effective this has been for me in such a short period of time, and I now am able to return back to sports. Yan-Kei explains what she is doing and definitely is invested in my well-being and although I am so much better, I will make this as part of my self care and ensure that I visit her every 5 – 6 weeks to re-balance myself. I highly recommend Yan-Kei; I truly feel she has worked wonders for me.

Maria, Colliers Wood

It was my first time seeing an osteopath and Charley was incredible. She is both knowledgeable and personable, she makes you feel completely comfortable and in extremely safe hands. I really feel like she wants you to get better and to really get to the root of what is causing the pain and discomfort. The exercises and stretches she taught me have become part of my daily routine and I have noticed a real difference. Thank you Charley!

Natasha, Mitcham