“A&E told me I should see a Physio, not an Osteopath.”

Not actually unusual feedback that we come across as Osteopaths here at The Waterside Practice in Warboys, and after a recent patient was told this we thought why not talk about the who’s what’s and why’s.

Unfortunately due to lack of understanding about the 3 mainstream musculoskeletal professions (Osteopaths, Physiotherapists and Chiropractors) of which, all have their similarities and actually treat much the same presenting complaints. There are still other Allied Health Professionals (AHP’s) that will recommend halting a treatment programme with one of these professionals for another, sadly often based on no knowledge or exposure to these other professions. Plus, as we well know, waiting for an appointment with an NHS Physiotherapist can take months whilst patients are dealing with pain leading to more time off work and longer term use of pain relief medication.

Osteopaths work within the NHS across the country.

Infact, our Principal Osteopath Bernitta has worked NHS contracts as an Osteopath within the role as an associate in Northamptonshire, plus was offered a band 5 physiotherapist role (Hinchingbrooke) over the COVID pandemic when the clinic was temporary closed (could not get PPE for love nor money!). So even within the NHS we can still get the same job ‘roles’ as physiotherapists.

There are Osteopaths working alongside with Physiotherapists both NHS and privately however, due to our profession being largely private, we are expensive in comparison to Physiotherapists who began within the NHS over WW1 when amputations and rehabilitation was a huge part of NHS care.

Osteopaths take a full case history, assessment, hands-on manual therapy AND can give a full rehabilitation exercise programme for patients to continue with at home.

The beauty of working in private practice is that we have TIME for all of these things for our patients, we are contactable and if things aren’t progressing as expected we are able to refer for investigations, write to your GP, take a different approach or try a different therapy within our multidisciplinary clinic and be there for our cases. Bernitta (Osteopath) says “It’s not uncommon for puzzling patient cases to pop into my head for a ponder at any given time!”. And we love our work, seeing people walk out happier and more comfortable than they walked in.

You can’t see a Physiotherapist and an Osteopath at the same time.

Not from where we’re standing, we are always happy to work alongside other AHPs and often patients will combine an NHS Physiotherapy referral with private treatment here with us. We just want what’s best for our patients ☺️.

Hopefully that cleared up a few questions or perhaps provided some insight to our profession.

Toodle pip!