Adjunctive therapies
Osteopaths apply a broad range of treatment practices and many incorporate adjunctive or supplementary therapies or other forms of care or treatment into their practice. Some osteopaths also undertake other work unrelated to health and care.
The purpose of the Osteopathic Practice Standards (OPS) is to protect patients by making sure that osteopaths always practise in a way that is safe, in patients’ best interests, and maintains confidence in the profession.
Our adjunctive therapies guidance explains the relationship between the OPS and the breadth of osteopathic practice and other care or treatment provided by osteopaths, including non-osteopathic work.
Five fictional case studies are included to help illustrate how the OPS apply to difference scenarios, for example an osteopath who is also working in the NHS as a nurse.
The guidance explains:
- The Osteopathic Practice Standards apply to osteopaths not only in their professional work but also in other contexts.
- Osteopaths are not limited to providing typically ‘osteopathic’ treatment – many integrate other approaches into their osteopathic practice, or work in a completely different therapeutic capacity in addition to osteopathy.
- Some osteopaths are dual registered as osteopaths and in another profession.
- Something that calls into question an osteopath’s professionalism, integrity or honesty in one context, is likely to impact on their practice in any context.
