MORE than half the UK population will suffer from back pain at some stage during their lifetimes yet confusion reigns over the best way to seek treatment.

In the past it was often treated with painkillers and bed rest but physical therapy is now recommended as soon as possible after the onset of back pain. This can be done through physiotherapy, osteopathy, or by chiropractors.

Osteopaths and chiropractors treat similar conditions and both view the patient from a holistic perspective.


In treatment terms chiropractors often only require short sessions focusing on specific manipulation of the spine whereas osteopaths typically prefer longer treatments with more work on muscles and, perhaps, a more gentle manipulation. Physiotherapists tend to have a less philosophical, more medical approach. In treatment terms, physiotherapists will tend to use more equipment and perhaps rely more on remedial exercises. Osteopaths are more likely to spend longer massaging muscles and are more likely to perform manipulation if required.

According to Glasgow Osteopaths, who run clinics in Paisley, Lenzie and Glasgow city centre, osteopathy is clinically proven to be one of the best ways of relieving back pain and can also be used to treat work strain, pregnancy discomfort, headaches, neck pain, sciatica, arthritic pain, jaw problems and sports injuries amongst other ailments.

A safe form of treatment, osteopaths do not use drugs but use their hands both to discover the underlying causes of pain and to carry out treatment using a variety of techniques from massage of soft tissues to manipulation and movement of joints. 

Osteopathy is an established system of diagnosis and manual treatment, which is recognised by the British Medical Association as a clinical discipline. For the last 60 years, osteopaths have worked within a system of voluntary regulation that sets standards of training and practice.

In 1993, osteopathy became the first major complementary health care profession to be accorded statutory recognition. This has led to a General Osteopathic Council being set up, and from 1998, only those practitioners able to satisfy its educational and ethical standards are able to join this register and call themselves osteopaths. Patients now have the same safeguards as when they consult a doctor or dentist.

“Osteopathy is a well-established approach to health care, which is based on a unique system of clinical diagnosis and manual treatment. A caring approach and attention to the individual are particularly important,” said Asif Allauddin of Glasgow Osteopaths.

For the elderly, back pain can be a particular problem but painkillers are not the only solution for the aches and pains associated with ageing. For more permanent relief it is necessary to eliminate the underlying causes of pain, a job for which the osteopath is specifically trained.

Even young children can benefit from osteopathy, particularly cranial therapy.

The cranial approach uses very gentle techniques in which the osteopath’s highly trained sense of touch is used to identify and correct disturbances and limitations of tissue mobility, not only in and around the joints of the skull, but throughout the body.

 It can be an effective for treatment of many types of conditions, and for all ages. It can be particularly suitable for the treatment of children. Osteopaths believe all babies should be routinely checked after birth.

As the summer comes to a close, why not tend to any pain or stiffness you may have before the cold weather sets in? Until October 14, you can have a postural assessment and consultation from one of Glasgow Osteopath’s experienced osteopaths a using spinal analysis machine for only £5 rather than the usual price of £38).

For more information go to www.facebook.com/GlasgowOsteopaths/ or www.glasgow-osteopaths.co.uk/offers.htm.