FAQ
»Miracles not performed; cures not guaranteed;
professional skill to the best of ability our only guarantee.«
Dr. W.G. Sutherland DO
What conditions can osteopathy be helpful for?
Osteopathy can be helpful for a variety of conditions, including:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
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Headaches and migraines
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Muscle and joint pain
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Digestive issues
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Respiratory problems
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Musculoskeletal issues in children and infants
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Stress-related tensions
What does an osteopathic treatment involve?
The first visit to an osteopath involves a detailed conversation about your health history, including a careful medical history, and a thorough physical examination. Based on this, the osteopath develops an individual treatment plan. The treatment itself may include gentle manipulations, stretches, soft tissue techniques, mobilizations, and other procedures to normalize, improve mobility, motricity, and motility of the human system, and to relieve pain.
Do I need a referral from a doctor to see an osteopath?
In most cases, you can visit an osteopath directly without going to a doctor first. However, some health insurance companies may require a referral to cover part or all of the costs of the treatment.
How does osteopathy differ from other manual therapies?
While physiotherapy and chiropractic often focus on specific and more localized injuries, disorders, or body parts, osteopathy considers the body as a whole. Osteopaths use a wide range of procedures that are applied not only to the skeleton and muscles but also to internal organs and the central nervous system.
Is osteopathy scientifically based?
Yes, there is increasingly scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of osteopathy for various conditions. Osteopathy is based on thorough knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology, and many studies show positive effects on back pain, headaches, and other conditions.
- Pain reduction
- Backpain
- Neck Pain
- Anxiety and Stress
You rightly seek evidence-based efficacy proofs, especially for treatment methods that are not so widespread and can easily be equated with unscrupulous methods due to their “holistic” approach.
Data from BKK Advita clearly shows: “Patients not only had to rely less on classical medical treatment, but also on fewer healing and pharmaceutical products when osteopathically treated beforehand.”
For these insured, osteopathy reduced the costs for medical treatments by 23 percent and the costs for medicinal products by 17 percent.
Are osteopathic treatments safe?
Osteopathic treatments are generally considered safe. Osteopaths are extensively trained to recognize contraindications for certain treatments and ensure that the therapy is suitable for the patient.
How can I recognize a reputable osteopath trained to international standards (5 years)?
- Proper membership in a recognized osteopathy association
Proper membership in a professional association, such as the Association of Osteopaths Germany (VOD), is an important indication of high-quality training. These associations ensure high-quality standards for their members.
- Completed training with at least 1,350 hours of instruction
According to the requirements of health insurance companies, osteopaths must complete training with at least 1,350 hours of instruction to be able to bill for their services. This is a quality standard that ensures a well-founded education.
- Completion of a thesis as part of the training
Many associations also require their members to complete a thesis to further strengthen the quality of the training.
In my case, there are also publications on the subject, which you can find here (link) on my website and which I would gladly recommend you to read.
I am happy to inform you about specific treatment examples and treatment successes in a personal conversation.