So, do osteopaths use acupuncture? Some osteopaths are beginning to incorporate acupuncture and dry needling into their practiceto treat severe muscle spasms and severe pain from conditions such as arthritis. However, osteopaths must be sufficiently trained to practice acupuncture.

Osteopathy is based on the principle that the wellbeing of an individual depends on their bones, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue functioning smoothly together. Osteopaths use physical manipulation, stretching and massage with the aim of: increasing the mobility of joints. relieving muscle tension.

You should avoid osteopathic manipulation if you have a broken bone or dislocation, bone cancer, a bone or joint infection, damaged ligaments, rheumatoid arthritis of the neck, or osteoporosis.

Both chiropractors and osteopaths undertake several years of in-depth training, but they use different approaches to manipulation. There are no comparative studies to suggest chiropractors are better than osteopaths or that osteopaths are better than chiropractors.