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Statistics about the Osteopathic Profession
 

About the profession

There are currently 3823 osteopaths registered with the General Osteopathic Council. Of these, 2039 are male and 1784 are female. Correct as of 17 May 2007

Although osteopaths practise in all corners of the United Kingdom, the greatest number are to be found in England, 73% excluding London; with 18.8% in London; 2.5% in Wales, 3.4% in Scotland; 0.4% in Northern Ireland; 1.9% in the Republic of Ireland, and 220 UK-registered osteopaths (6.62%) in 34 countries overseas.

Osteopathic Training

Training to be an osteopath takes 4 years full-time or 5 years part-time. There are 8 osteopathic education institutions awarding qualifications recognised by the General Osteopathic Council.

Osteopathic Patients
  • In the UK, an estimated 24,000 patients consult osteopaths every working day. This amounts to nearly seven million consultations a year. Osteopaths are providing over 850,000 more consultations a year since 1997 and over 1.7 million more than in 1994.
  • There has been an increase in patients referred by or with the knowledge of a GP or Consultant from 22% to 26%, but the majority are still 'self-referred'.
  • The percentage of people who have heard of osteopathy and have actually received treatment has increased 25% over 1996.
  • Whilst over 86% of patients still fund themselves, Private Health Insurance now accounts for 10.4%, an increase from 7% in 1997.
  • 95% of patients believe that the NHS should support osteopathic treatment. Information based on the GOsC Snapshot Survey and Public Awareness Surveys, November 2001.

Notes to Editors

The Statutory Register of Osteopaths
  • The Prince of Wales is Patron of the General Osteopathic Council.
  • Osteopathy became the first complementary medicine profession to be accorded statutory recognition, under the 1993 Osteopaths Act. The General Osteopathic Council was established and opened its Statutory Register of Osteopaths in May 1998 The GOsC is responsible for regulating, promoting and developing the osteopathic profession in the United Kingdom.
  • It an offence for anyone to describe themselves as an osteopath and practise as such, unless registered with the General Osteopathic Council. The public can, therefore, be confident in visiting a registered osteopath that they will experience safe and competent treatment from a practitioner who adheres to a strict Code of Practice.
  • The 2004 Statutory Register of Osteopaths provides a geographical index of all practising osteopaths, and is available to all healthcare providers. Copies are available from the General Osteopathic Council. A searchable listing of osteopaths is available on the GOsC website: www.osteopathy.org.uk.

About Osteopathy
  • Osteopathy uses many of the diagnostic procedures involved in conventional medical assessment and diagnosis. Its main strength lies in the unique way the patient is assessed holistically from a mechanical, functional and postural standpoint. Treatment is aimed at improving mobility and/or reducing inflammation by using gentle manual osteopathic techniques on joints, muscles and ligaments.
  • Patients are given positive advice, related to their lifestyle, about how they use their body. Age is no barrier to osteopathy since each patient is assessed individually and treatment is gentle.
  • Osteopaths treat a wide range of conditions, including changes to posture in pregnancy, babies with colic or sleeplessness, repetitive strain injury, postural problems caused by driving or work strain, glue ear in children, the pain of arthritis and sports injuries.

Leaflets and further information available from The General Osteopathic Council, tel: 020 7357 66 55, ext. 242.