Osteopathy is a system of healing that diagnoses and treats body conditions which have mechanical disturbances as their cause or as an integral part.

Mechanical disturbances include changed elasticity of soft tissues (skin, connective tissue, muscles, ligaments, tendons), changed joint mobility (stiff or loose joints). The main methods of treatment are special techniques for soft tissues, followed by working on joints (repetitive rhythmic movements with specific manipulation, if necessary).

An important part of the treatment is advising on exercises, sport and posture, both at work and in everyday life.

Apart from this so called structural osteopathy there are other special areas in Osteopathy:

• Visceral Osteopathy  : deals with elasticity and mobility of internal organs

• Cranial Osteopathy : its main idea is the rhythmic pulsation of the spinal fluid in the brain and spinal cord which can be felt as the pulsation of the skull and sacrum ("tailbone"). The rhythm is detected with one's fingertips and then correction is done by gentle movements of the hands.

• Functional Techniques : these include a variety of gentle techniques that concentrate on (allegedly) neuro-reflectory regulation of the musculo-skeletal system (positional release, strain-counterstrain and others). In these techniques an osteopath detects the tone and tension in special parts and in special positions and then applies very subtle gentle movements to restore the norm.

Osteopathy was founded at the end of 19th century by the American doctor A.T.Still as an alternative to the conventional medical system. These days, in some countries, Osteopathy is practiced mainly by specialists qualified in medicine (USA, Eastern Europe and some others). In other countries Osteopaths graduate from their own, non-medical, colleges (UK, many of the European countries and others).

As a result there is a great deal of confusion in qualifications and professions. Not infrequently relationships between Osteopaths and medical specialists are frankly hostile. The good news, however, is that in recent years collaboration between the two disciplines has been getting closer and more fruitful.

Osteopathy is not a panacea against "all ills". In case of serious disease one needs to be under medical attention and treatment, but even then, Osteopathy may lessen the patient's suffering.

Traditionally, structural Osteopathy is widely used in:

• neck and back pain, sciatica, lumbago, back and neck stiffness, numbness in limb(s)

• headaches, joint pains, joint stiffness

• soft tissues sprains, muscle tightness/pain

• chest pain not related to the heart or lungs, and rib pain

All complaints listed above may also be a consequence of a serious problem such as fracture, arthritis or stroke. In those cases Osteopathy will not cure the main disease, but will help to minimise any unpleasant feelings and improve the quality of life.