Osteopathy is an established system of diagnosis and treatment recognised by the British Medical Association as a 'discrete clinical discipline'. It places special emphasis on structural and mechanical problems of the body, and seeks to overcome a wide range of conditions, disabilities and pains, that result from disturbances of the body's framework and moving parts.

More particularly, Osteopaths like to treat patients as a 'whole' and as an individual, rather than 'labelling' them as having a particular ailment.