New guidance for adjunctive therapies published

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 new guidance helps explain the relationship between the OPS and the breadth of osteopathic practice and other care or treatment provided by osteopaths, including non-osteopathic work. Fictional case studies are included to help illustrate how the OPS applies to difference scenarios, for example an osteopath who is also working in the NHS as a nurse. 

The guidance is intended for osteopaths to use when considering how the OPS applies to all aspects of their work, and to help members of the public and patients by illustrating how osteopaths are expected to approach different forms of care and treatment. It will also be used by our Fitness to Practise Committees when considering concerns that osteopaths have failed to apply the OPS in their practice.

The guidance is informed by feedback from osteopaths and patients, gathered during a consultation in early 2022. As a result of this feedback we have made changes to the guidance, such as explaining more clearly what is meant by ‘adjunctive therapies’, which for example might include acupuncture, fitness coaching, teaching of yoga or pilates. We have also provided stronger emphasis on the importance of clear communication with patients to ensure they are aware of the type of treatment being provided and in what capacity this is being provided by the osteopath.

• Read the guidance for adjunctive therapies and non-osteopathic forms of care or treatment.
• Read the Osteopathic Practice Standards online.