Answers to your questions about osteopathy

A detailed case history will be taken, covering your medical history, occupation, lifestyle and presenting complaint. You'll normally be asked to undress to your underwear and perform simple movements, after which a full diagnosis and treatment plan will be discussed. If appropriate, treatment is given during the first visit.

Techniques include massage, muscle stretching, passive rhythmic joint movements and high velocity thrusts, which may produce a painless popping sound. The cranial-sacral approach is extremely gentle and often patients are unaware of anything happening. It's not unusual to feel a little stiff for up to 24 hours afterwards, with ice packs helping recovery.

Both tend to treat similar conditions with similar techniques, with significant overlap, especially in the UK. Osteopaths use bones as levers to improve muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia and organs, taking a holistic view based on healthy circulation and the principle that structure governs function. Chiropractic appointments tend to be shorter and more frequent, while osteopaths tend to spend more time per visit with treatments spaced further apart.