Osteopathy is becoming increasingly popular in the Netherlands. More and more people with diverse physical complaints are seeking help from an osteopath. This does not only concern well-known complaints such as back pain, neck problems, or headaches. People are also increasingly choosing osteopathic treatment for fatigue, digestive issues, sinus infections, and persistent or recurring sports injuries.
In addition, osteopathy is regularly applied in specific situations, such as complaints in infants, during pregnancy, or in the postnatal period. By viewing the body as a whole and searching for the underlying cause of a complaint, an osteopath can often provide support for recovery.
Nevertheless, many people ask themselves beforehand: are there also disadvantages to osteopathy?
That is a logical question. In this blog, we therefore discuss the potential disadvantages, points of consideration, and risks honestly and transparently. At the same time, we explain why osteopathy can be a safe and effective treatment in many situations.
What exactly is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a manual form of treatment in which the body is approached as a whole. Instead of only treating the site of the pain, an osteopath searches for the underlying cause of a complaint.
The body consists of various systems—such as muscles, joints, organs, and the nervous system—that are interconnected. When a restriction of movement or tension arises somewhere in the body, it can cause complaints in another location.
An osteopath therefore examines the body with their hands and identifies where loss of movement or tension is located. Through gentle manual techniques, they attempt to restore the body’s natural healing capacity.
Potential disadvantages of osteopathy
Although osteopathy is generally considered a safe treatment, there are some points of consideration. Below we discuss the most common disadvantages.
Temporary reaction of the body after a treatment
After an osteopathic treatment, the body may react temporarily. We call this an after-effect. The body adapts to the treatment and the natural recovery process is initiated. Although this reaction can sometimes be briefly uncomfortable for a patient, we usually do not view this as something negative. On the contrary: it is often a sign that the body is actually responding to the treatment. In fact, an after-effect can indicate that the body needed the treatment and is now working to restore balance. In most cases, these reactions disappear spontaneously within a few days.
We speak of an after-effect when there is a temporary increase in complaints during the first three days following the treatment.
Common reactions include, for example:
- fatigue
- muscle pain
- a heavy feeling in the body
- temporary worsening of the complaint
- headache
In most cases, these reactions disappear spontaneously within 24 to 48 hours. After that, many people notice an improvement in their complaints or experience more freedom of movement in the body.
Not every complaint is suitable for osteopathy
An osteopath always begins with an extensive intake interview and a physical examination. Based on this, the osteopath can assess whether a treatment is appropriate. For certain complaints, additional examination by a GP or specialist may be necessary. Osteopaths are trained to screen whether this is necessary and will refer you if required.
Osteopaths are trained to recognize when a complaint requires further medical investigation. This ensures that the treatment remains safe and aligns with the patient’s individual situation.
More information about the profession and the quality standards of osteopaths can be found at the Dutch Association for Osteopathy (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Osteopathie).
Treatment is not always fully reimbursed
Another point that is sometimes perceived as a disadvantage is the reimbursement of osteopathic treatments. Osteopathy is not covered by basic insurance. The costs are usually (partially) reimbursed from supplementary health insurance.
However, in practice, it often appears that fewer treatments are needed to reduce or resolve a complaint than with some other forms of care. On average, you can expect approximately three to five treatments. Osteopathy focuses on finding and treating the underlying cause of complaints, rather than just combating symptoms.
As a result, osteopathy can offer a sustainable solution in many cases. Although the treatment may seem like an investment initially, the costs often remain relatively limited in the long term.
Differences in education and quality
An osteopath has typically completed a four- to six-year training program. During this training, significant attention is paid to:
- anatomy
- physiology
- medical diagnostics
- manual treatment techniques
Nevertheless, differences can exist between practitioners. It is therefore wise to choose a registered osteopath who is affiliated with a professional association. The osteopaths at Andromeda Center for Osteopathy are all registered (NOF and/or NRO) and affiliated with the Dutch Association for Osteopathy.
Scientific evidence varies per complaint
In healthcare, work is often conducted according to evidence-based practice (EBP): a combination of the best available scientific knowledge, clinical expertise, and patient preferences. For some complaints, there is more scientific research into osteopathy than for others.
Osteopaths combine their clinical experience with the patient’s wishes to make the treatment as effective as possible. At the same time, it is important to acknowledge that the scientific foundation for certain complaints is still in development.
Examples of complaints for which reasonable evidence exists for osteopathic treatment include:
- low back pain
- neck complaints
- certain digestive problems
For other complaints, limited research is currently available. The effectiveness of a treatment therefore always depends on the nature of the complaint, the underlying cause, and the patient’s personal situation.
What is the difference between an osteopath and a chiropractor?
Osteopathy is sometimes confused with chiropractic, but there are clear differences between these treatment methods.
Chiropractic
A chiropractor focuses primarily on the spine and the nervous system. Treatment often consists of rapid manipulations of joints with the aim of improving the function of the spine and nerves.
Osteopathy
An osteopath views the body more broadly and treats it as a whole. In osteopathy, no structure is overlooked; everything in the body influences everything else. In addition to the spine, other structures are included in the examination and treatment, such as:
- muscles
- connective tissue
- organs
- the skull
- the central nervous system
The goal of an osteopathic treatment is to improve the cooperation between different systems in the body and thus activate the natural healing capacity. This allows the cause of complaints to often be addressed in a deeper, more structural way.
When osteopathy can be a good choice
Despite the potential disadvantages, many people experience clear benefits from osteopathy, especially when complaints persist for a long time or keep recurring.
Osteopathy can be effective, for example, for:
- long-term back and neck complaints
- headaches and dizziness
- residual symptoms after COVID
- movement restrictions
- sleep problems
- recovery after an injury or support for recurring sports injuries
- complaints during or after pregnancy
- reflux, preferred posture, colic, or restlessness in a baby
- stress-related complaints
The list of indications is too long to list fully here. An extensive overview per body region is available on our website under ‘indications’. Are you unsure whether osteopathy could be beneficial for your complaint? Please feel free to contact us for personal advice.
Frequently asked questions about osteopathy
Is osteopathy dangerous?
No. When the treatment is performed by a well-trained osteopath, osteopathy is considered a safe form of treatment.
Can you experience complaints after a treatment?
Some people feel temporarily tired or stiff after a treatment. This is a normal reaction of the body and often disappears within one, two, or three days.
How quickly do you notice improvement?
This varies per person and per complaint. Sometimes improvement occurs after just one treatment, but often multiple treatments are required. On average, we expect 3 to 5 treatments for most complaints.
We usually maintain an interval of about three weeks between treatments. This gives the body time to respond to the treatment and initiate the natural recovery process.
Is osteopathy safe for babies?
Yes. Osteopathic treatments for babies are safe and very gentle. Osteopaths use subtle manual techniques that are specifically tailored to a baby’s body.
These treatments are regularly applied for complaints such as reflux, colic, restlessness, or sleep problems. The osteopath carefully examines where tensions or movement restrictions are present in the body and treats them with calm, mild techniques.
It is important to know that an osteopath does not use manipulations on babies—meaning the so-called ‘cracking’ that people sometimes associate with manual therapy. The treatment consists exclusively of gentle touches and small corrections that help the body activate its self-healing capacity.
Do the disadvantages of osteopathy outweigh the benefits?
Although there are some potential disadvantages, such as temporary fatigue or limited insurance reimbursement, many patients experience osteopathy as a safe and effective way to investigate and treat the underlying cause of their complaints.
At Andromeda Center for Osteopathy in Veldhoven and Valkenswaard, we focus not on maintenance, but on resolving the complaints and achieving sustainable improvement and full recovery. Rapid results are central to our approach: depending on the indication, we treat most patients an average of 3 to 5 times.
By listening carefully, examining thoroughly, and viewing the body as a whole, our osteopaths determine what is truly going on and decide which treatment is most effective.
Do you have complaints that keep returning or do you want to know if osteopathy can help in your situation? Contact us for personal advice or schedule an appointment directly. Together, we will look at the cause of your complaint and the best path to full recovery.
