What Does a “Whole Body Approach” Mean in Osteopathy?
If you’ve ever visited an Osteopath, or are considering doing so you may have heard the term “whole body approach” or “wholistic approach”. But what does that actually mean?
Unlike conventional treatments that often focus on a specific area of pain or injury, osteopathy takes a broader view. Osteopaths are trained to understand how all systems of the body interact, and how problems in one area can affect another. This means we don’t just look at the site of pain, we look at the entire person.
Understanding the Whole Body Approach
The whole body/wholistic approach is a core principle of osteopathy. It means that we consider the interconnectedness of your bones, muscles, joints, nerves, circulation, and even your internal organs and emotional state.
2 of the 5 core principles of Osteopathy are:
1. The body is a unit:
This principle emphasises the interconnectedness of all parts of the body. Osteopathic philosophy views the body as a single, integrated unit, where disturbances in one area can affect other areas. The person is also considered a unit of body, mind, and spirit.
2. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated:
This principle highlights how the structure of the body (its anatomy) influences its function (how it works), and conversely, how the body's function affects its structure. For example, poor posture can lead to muscle imbalances and joint restrictions, while a sprained ankle can alter gait patterns.
For example:
A knee issue might be linked to poor foot mechanics or hip dysfunction.
Chronic neck pain could stem from upper back tension, jaw tightness, or posture habits. It might also stem from a rotated pelvis, an ankle injury that is affecting load transfer through the body, the movement of the diaphragm or the pelvic floor, breathing patterns or the nervous system.
Digestive problems might contribute to lower back tension through fascial restrictions.
Instead of chasing symptoms, osteopaths aim to uncover the underlying cause and treat the body as one functional unit.
What Does This Look Like in a Treatment?
When you come in for osteopathic care, you might be surprised that we assess and treat areas beyond your main complaint. For instance:
If you have lower back pain, we’ll also look at your pelvis, hips, feet, and even how you breathe.
If you’re experiencing recurrent headaches, we may assess your jaw, neck, upper ribs, and even your digestion or stress levels.
If you’re recovering from surgery or injury, we’ll support not just healing at the site but also how the rest of the body is adapting.
We use a range of hands-on techniques like soft tissue release, joint mobilisation and manipulation, dry needling, cranial osteopathy, and visceral techniques, depending on what your body needs.
The Benefits of a Whole Body Approach
By treating the root cause not just the symptoms a whole body osteopathic approach can:
Reduce pain and inflammation
Improve mobility and posture
Prevent recurring issues
Enhance circulation and nerve function
Support your overall wellbeing and energy
This is especially helpful for people with chronic pain, repetitive strain injuries, or complex, multi-site symptoms that haven’t responded to isolated treatment approaches.
Osteopathy: More Than Just Muscles and Joints
The whole body approach extends beyond the musculoskeletal system. Osteopaths also consider:
Stress and the nervous system
Breathing patterns
Digestive health and visceral tension
Sleep quality and recovery
Lifestyle and ergonomics
Everything is connected. That’s why our treatment often includes education, home exercises, posture advice, and lifestyle recommendations tailored just for you.
If you’ve been feeling like you’re treating the same symptoms over and over or no one’s looking at the big picture Osteopathy could be exactly what you need. Osteopathy empowers you to understand your body better, uncover the root causes of pain, and move toward real, long-lasting relief.
Ready to treat your body as a whole? Book an appointment at our osteopathy clinic today.