With many health and wellbeing professions available today, it can often be difficult to know which one to choose to best suit your needs. This short series of articles aims to help give you a better understanding of how a Sports Therapist can support you, as well as how the profession compares to other practitioners. The first in the series highlights Osteopathy, and how it relates to Sports Therapy.
(For a more in-depth understanding of Sports Therapy itself, see the previous article: “What is Sports Therapy & Sports Massage?”)
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a healthcare profession regulated by UK law and is based on the
principle that a person’s overall health and wellbeing relies on the smooth functioning of their body’s structure, especially the muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissues.
Osteopaths assess the whole body to see how bones, muscles, joints, nerves, and other soft tissues are working together. They often use a variety of manual therapy
techniques, including:
Joint manipulations and mobilisations
Massage and soft tissue techniques
Assisted stretching
Muscle energy techniques
The goals of these treatments are to:
Increase joint range of motion
Ease muscle tension
Improve circulation
Reduce pain
Support the body’s natural healing processes
Educate patients about their condition and recovery
In addition to musculoskeletal assessment, osteopaths may also consider factors like lifestyle, mental wellbeing, and diet to take a more holistic approach to treatment.
According to the NHS, osteopathy can help with a range of conditions, including
generalised aches and pains, joint pain, and tension-related headaches (NHS, 2024).
Similarities to Sports Therapy
Despite being different professions, Osteopathy and Sports Therapy share many
similarities, including:
Focus on Musculoskeletal Function
Both professions primarily deal with muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons –
managing issues such as pain, stiffness, sports injuries, postural differences,
and repetitive strain.
Hands-On Techniques
Manual therapy is central to both. This may include soft tissue massage, joint
mobilisations, trigger point therapy, soft tissue release, and muscle energy
techniques.
Injury Rehabilitation & Prevention
Both aim to restore function and prevent future injury through treatment,
education, and ongoing support.
Whole-Body Approach
Osteopaths are often more associated with this approach, but Sports Therapists
also assess movement and biomechanics, aiming to identify root causes of pain
or dysfunction.
Patient Education
Both professions value helping clients understand what’s going on in their body
and provide self-management strategies such as rehab exercises, lifestyle
advice, and injury prevention tips.
How Do They Differ?
There are a few key differences between the professions:
Approach
Osteopaths often work from a more holistic perspective, considering the body’s
wider systems, while Sports Therapists typically focus more on functional
recovery, particularly from injuries. (Of course, individual therapists may vary in
how they practice.)
Training
Both are degree-level professions, but with some differences. Osteopaths
receive general medical training in addition to musculoskeletal skills. Sports
Therapists receive specialist training in exercise-based rehabilitation, injury
management, and sports performance.
Scope of Practice
Osteopaths can treat not just musculoskeletal issues, but also visceral (organ-
related) and cranial dysfunctions. Sports Therapists, on the other hand, focus
specifically on musculoskeletal and sports-related problems.
Osteopathy is a protected title in the UK and all practising osteopaths must be
registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). Sports Therapy is not currently a protected title, but many qualified Sports Therapists are registered with professional bodies such as the Society of Sports Therapists.
To Summarise…
Both Osteopaths and Sports Therapists are trained in assessing and treating
musculoskeletal conditions. They share many techniques, work in both clinical and
sporting environments, and often cross-refer or complement one another.
When choosing the right therapist for you, it might come down to:
Whether you prefer a holistic medical approach (osteopathy)
Or an exercise- and rehabilitation-based approach (sports therapy)
And the type of condition you want treated:
Is it more postural or chronic in nature? – Osteopathy
Is it more of an acute injury or exercise-related issue? -Sports Therapy
That said, this is not a strict rule. Both professions are trained to assess and treat a
wide range of conditions, and there is often significant overlap.