YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Q.What is the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC)?

In I 993 the Osteopaths Act was passed in Parliament allowing a new body. the General Osteopathic Council to be set up in order to develop. promote and regulate the profession of osteopathy. Only those registered with this body could use the title osteopath.

Q.What is osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a collection of different philosophies linked by the idea that there is a relationship between the structure of the body (or how the body feels to the examining hand of the practitioner) and its health. By correcting the perceived physical anomalies the body can be returned to a better state ol health. Such assessments are carried out bv practitioners with medical training.

Q.What is structural medicine?

Structural medicine applies gentle, specialised manual techniques to identify and treat anomalies of movement and tension throughout the bodv which, because thev can change the body's complex biochemistry, can be used to treat a variety of abdominal, pelvic, breathing and childhood problems. The DOC is committed to encouraging specialist training in these areas and to their wider medical use. Structural medicine can refer to all forms of therapy based on returning the body to better structural integity.

Q.What professional title does a DOC member use?

The DOC wishes to encourage patients to get to know their practitioners and ask questions about them and their treatment to create a constructive working relationship. Common to them all is that they are DOC registered and we ask you to look at the individual not the label.

Q.Is there a list of DOC practitioners?

Yes. A list of our members is available from the DOC Registrar whose name and address is to be found under DOC COUNCIL, or you can refer to the section REGISTER OF DOC MEMBERS