Osteopaths are recognised mainly for their ability in treating problems with a muscle or joint.  Their skills and training equip them, however, with the means to treat a much wider range of disorders (not just musculo-skeletal).  Some common ailments/problems which can be treated effectively with osteopathy include:-

• low back pain which may or may not include sciatica
• neck and upper back pain which may or may not include pain in shoulder
• peripheral joint pain (i.e. shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, foot)
• migraine headaches
• workplace strains
• sports injuries
• glue ear
• colic and sleeplessness in babies
• backache of pregnancy
• symptoms of chronic conditions e.g. asthma, arthritis
• stiffness associated with wear and tear
• effects of trauma e.g. falls, sprains and impact injuries
• menstrual/period pain
• circulatory problems
• digestion problems e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, constipation
• postural problems & many others

Osteopathy may not be the obvious choice for irritable bowel syndrome however the bowel is made up of muscle which can become tense and tight when a patient becomes stressed. Indeed, it becomes difficult to think of any condition that cannot helped by osteopathy. It must be stressed that osteopathy cannot cure a chronic condition such as arthritis but it can help alleviate many of its painful features.