Osteopath
Career outlook for osteopath
Average UK salary
£34,840
Currently employed in Scotland
2,700
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would use your hands to manipulate or put pressure on people’s bodies. You’d aim to help the person feel better by helping them to develop muscles, bones, ligaments, nerves and joints that work efficiently together.
You would work see people with different problems including:
- Older people with arthritis
- Babies with colic
- Adults with lower back pain
- People recovering from a sports injury
- Women experiencing posture changes caused by pregnancy
To find out what is wrong, you would ask the person about their health and medical history. You’d examine how they sit, stand and walk, paying particular attention to their muscles, ligaments and vertebrae. You might also use X-rays to help with your diagnosis.
You would then plan a course of treatment for the person. This would involve using gentle, hands-on techniques such as:
- Joint mobilisation
- Manipulation
- Massage
- Deep pressure
You’d use your highly-developed sense of touch to reduce swelling, ease pain, locate strains and increase mobility.
As part of the treatment you would also advise people about their diet and lifestyle. And you might give clients exercises to do at home.
Osteopathy is a complementary or alternative therapy. You would not use not use surgery or drugs.
People will trust you to do your best to help them and look to you for reassurance. But if you can’t resolve the person’s problem you’d refer them to a doctor or another complementary therapist. People might also be referred to you by their GP.
This work can be physically demanding.
Having the administrative skills to run your own business, such as marketing and financial management, would also be useful.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
23%
Part-time
24%
Self employed
53%
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- Listening
- Verbal communication
- Observation
- Empathising
- Social conscience
- Attention to detail
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Qualifications
You would need a degree (SCQF level 9/10) and/or postgraduate qualification (SCQF level 11) in osteopathy.
There are currently no osteopathic courses in Scotland, but to enter a degree (SCQF level 9/10) in osteopathic medicine elsewhere in the UK requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers (SCQF level 6). Some courses may require Advanced Highers (SCQF level 7) or equivalent for entry.
If you are already a medical practitioner or physiotherapist you can take a shorter course through the College of Osteopaths.
Useful subjects
Most courses require:
- English
- Maths
- Science subjects
You will also need
- To register with the General Council and Register of Naturopaths (GCRN) once you are qualified.
- To be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland for some jobs