Osteopathy is an independent, holistic form of medicine in which diagnosis and treatment are carried out exclusively with the hands. It was founded more than 140 years ago by the American physician Andrew Taylor Still and has been continuously developed since.
Osteopaths view the body as a unit and assume that all structures such as muscles, bones and organs are connected via the connective tissue (fasciae). If disturbances occur in this system, complaints and pain can arise.
In osteopathic treatment, the therapist uses their hands to feel for tension, restrictions and limited movement in the tissue. Using gentle manual techniques such as stretching and mobilisation, they attempt to release these and thus support the body's own balance.
Osteopathy is used for a wide range of complaints, including back and neck pain, joint problems, digestive issues, headaches and pregnancy-related complaints. However, its effectiveness has not been scientifically proven for all areas of application.
In contrast to physiotherapy, which works primarily with active exercises and physical measures, osteopathic treatment is purely passive, performed by the therapist. Nevertheless, there is overlap, as physiotherapists also use manual techniques and work holistically.