Osteopathy: Study claims controversial alternative medicine can help musculoskeletal disorders

According to a review of the evidence, osteopathy only helps if you’re suffering from aches and pains.

Experts say the controversial treatment may even be better for patients with musculoskeletal conditions than seeing a physical therapist.

But researchers say there’s no evidence it benefits children or against migraines or irritable bowel syndrome.

Osteopathy is considered – first developed in the 1800s questionable at best by critics.

The practice includes gentle manipulation of the tissues and bones of the body, movement, stretching and massage of a person’s muscles and joints.

Conducted by Italian osteopaths, the assessment was based on dozens of studies involving approximately 3,750 volunteers.

Independent experts told MailOnline that most of the primary studies in the review had limited credibility due to “serious methodological issues.”

Professor Edzard Ernst, a world-renowned expert on alternative medicine and formerly at the University of Exeter, said the results were “contrary to science and common sense”.

He said they should be taken “with a grain of salt”.

Osteopathy is considered an ‘allied healthcare profession’ in the UK and patients in some parts of England may be referred for practice by NHS primary care physicians.

There are 5,000 registered osteopaths across Great Britain. Private sessions can cost around €40.

The review, published in Open BMJ, analyzed nine previous review articles by osteopaths or physicians trained in osteopathy.

Made by Donatella Bagagiolo of the Italian School of Osteopathy in Turin.

The articles discussed the effectiveness of osteopathy in the treatment of low back, neck and chronic noncancerous pain.

They also evaluated its effects on cerebral palsy and pediatric conditions such as scoliosis, migraine, tension-type headache, and irritable bowel syndrome.

They found that osteopathy was more effective than other approaches at reducing low back, neck, and chronic noncancerous pain. Bagagiolo described the results as “promising”.

Other approaches included No treatment, physical therapy and other alternative medicines.

But the team said there was “inconclusive evidence” that osteopathy helped one of the other conditions.

Studies based on small samples have produced mixed results, Bagagiolo said.

The researchers wrote: “This review suggests that osteopathy may be effective in treating musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those related to back pain in pregnant women or those who have just had a baby.

In contrast, no convincing evidence was obtained from analysis of osteopathy’s efficacy on pediatric conditions, primary headache, and IBS.

However, based on a small number of studies and some of moderate quality, our review highlights the need for further systematic reviews and well-conducted clinical trials…expand. a set of conditions and their safety.

However, experts criticized the study.

Professor Ernst told MailOnline: “Osteopathy is based on old assumptions that go against science and common sense.

‘Most primary osteopathy studies face serious methodological problems that limit their reliability.

“Therefore, the evidence for an overview of systematic reviews should be carefully taken.

“Even where osteopathy is supported by encouraging evidence, we must be clear that it is never the best therapy available.”

Osteopathy involves the use of stretching, massage, and various movements to increase joint mobility, relieve muscle tension, and reduce pain.

Practitioners try to increase blood flow and help the body heal in certain areas.

Some professionals also claim that osteopathy can help sufferers of IBS, migraines, and even excessive crying in infants. Baby tummy rubbing and cranial osteopathy — massaging the head — are common at clinics that claim to help with problems.