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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

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

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 started seeing Lara about my sinuses, which have cleared. She has also helped me with my neck pain and digestive problems. Thank you so much Lara.

Anne, Teacher

Over the last 6 months Lara has effectively used the Emmett Technique to eliminate my persistent lower back pain as well as foot and heel pain. She has also been able to relieve stress and tension from my neck and shoulders. The relief, as a result of her treatments, is immediate and long-lasting. I would highly recommend her treatments.

Amanda, Wimbledon

Yan Kei is incredibly knowledgable. I felt completely confident in her skills, as she has made so much difference to how I feel. I am grateful for such unexpected outcomes that I didn't think it would be so good.

Mandy, SW18

Stephen has been my osteopath for many years and has helped me recover from several serious operations. The atmosphere in the clinic is so calm and relaxing, and Stephen is an absolute professional in everything he does. He truly has healing hands.

Laura D

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.

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

Erica, Africa

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

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