Osteopath..Yes or No?

I have seen an osteopath (different ones in different towns) over years of back pain and it helped a bit but nature helped more - rest and gentle exercise plus painkillers. Last time a more expensive osteopath said if he couldn't help me in three sessions I couldn't be helped but he said ' if you like paying for an osteopath to go on foreign holidays then keep going regularly'. My mother went to one for years failing to notice she had RA. I'm going to try a sports physio next time its bad.

It has been great for me, I go once a fortnight. You need to make sure you see someone good though, there really is a difference in the level of experience

Osteopathy has worked for me as has acupuncture, treatment from a private physio and also treatment from a sports massage specialist. If osteopathy hasn’t helped you lessismore and you dislike the process I’d suggest it would be best to move on. Having said that have you talked to your practitioner about the impact on you? You shouldn’t dread going for treatments.

A definitive yes from me ! A less 'harsh' treatment than a chiropractor and the only crack I ever have is if she leans across me and I always walk out feeling better /

Chiropractors most definitely twist and crack, and one of them tipped my head back so much I got benign paroysmal positional vertigo that now has a tendency to come back.

Osteopaths can be very effective, the GP surgery I worked at used to refer patients to them. But if you can afford to go privately, my choice would be physio I think?

Definitely Yes from me! Barely able to move since weekend, but after treatment yesterday, today I’m almost pain free. I have treatment every now and then as the need arises. My osteo does cranial as well.

Osteopathy shouldn't hurt or crack! I've had nothing but good experiences and relief from osteopathic treatment. Do not be fearful, say if something feels uncomfortable.

Try a cranial osteopath instead whose treatment will be much more gentle. They work on any part of the body and it's very effective and not manipulative.

I was in a car crash back in 1990 and was told I would need a titanium rod in my neck. Not only is this massive surgery but also I have M.E. I saw an osteopath who said "Certainly not", and I avoided surgery.

I cannot speak highly enough of good osteopaths!

Must admit it doesn’t often hurt me when having treatments and I often only need one treatment which consists of manipulation, stretching and massage and he has given me excercise/stretching sheets to continue at home. He doesn’t just use manipulation. Maybe you should find a good physio instead if it’s that painful.

Acupuncture every time

I am biased in my preference for Physiotherapy

Because it hurts and it cracks.

I went to an osteopath for months - maybe a year - with back pain. He told me it was a disc problem. After getting little or no relief, I switched to a physio who said it wasn't a disc but an inflamed sacro-iliac joint. She treated it with a machine that ran an electric current through it. I had very little trouble with it after few sessions with her.

I've used an Osteopath for numerous different problems and it's always helped me. I'm not sure why, if it helps you do you dread it?