Pilot Project Shows That In Most Patient Cases GPs Would Refer Them For Osteopathic Treatment, UK

Main Category: Bones / Orthopaedics
Also Included In: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Article Date: 27 Feb 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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A recently published report on a pilot project carried out in Northern Ireland involving integrated health therapies has shown that in 65% of cases, GPs reported a health improvement in patients using complementary forms of treatment.

The study shows that 81% of 700 patients, who on referral from their GPs received treatment from osteopaths and other complementary practitioners, for musculoskeletal and mental health conditions reported improvements in their physical health and 79% in their mental health.

Osteopathy is an approach to healthcare that emphasises supporting the body's own healing processes. Treatment usually consists of a combination of soft-tissue releasing techniques, and some specific adjustments affecting joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Advice can also be given on self-help treatments. A statutorily - regulated primary healthcare profession osteopathy offers the potential to drastically reduce the total number of chronic sufferers of pain by treating patient injuries without the need for surgery or ongoing medication.

There is a general feeling among supporters of these integrated therapies, that some provision to access these services through the NHS would not only be welcomed by patients, but also medical professionals and other health care practitioners whilst also saving money. This pilot project shows that in 99% of patient cases GPs said they would refer the patient, or a different patient, to the scheme again and in 98% of cases GPs said they would recommend the service to other GPs. However they also called for more information to help build their understanding of integrated health therapies.

Martin Mcgourty, British Osteopathic Association (BOA) member says, "Economic savings are currently the talking point for most businesses and individuals. This report demonstrates an opportunity for osteopathy to be incorporated into the day to day work of the NHS. Benefits include: high patient and GP satisfaction, reduced patient dependency for primary healthcare services, a reduction in absenteeism, prescribing levels and costs. I have found my involvement in this project and the results highly rewarding."

About the British Osteopathic Association

The British Osteopathic Association (BOA) is the professional association for osteopaths in the UK, acting as an independent representative body whilst promoting the highest standards of osteopathic education and research. Established in 1998 the BOA is committed to supporting, protecting and caring for its members and promoting opportunities for individual and professional development in osteopathic practice. There are nearly 4,000 osteopaths on the UK register, with over 3,000 of these affiliated to the British Osteopathic Association, who carried out over seven million treatments last year.

British Osteopathic Association

About the Northern Ireland Complementary and Alternative medicine (CAM) Pilot Project

This year long pilot scheme carried out in 2007 to 2008 in Northern Ireland found significant health benefits for patients offered complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) via the public health service. Despite initial skepticism, the GPs involved were almost unanimously in favour after seeing tangible results. Click here to see the full report.

British Osteopathic Association