Osteopath
Osteopaths massage, move and stretch clients' muscles and joints to improve wellbeing or help with a health issue.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As an osteopath you could:
- ask clients about their health and medical history
- look at their posture and how they walk, paying attention to their muscles, bones and joints
- use X-rays to help with your diagnosis and plan a course of treatment
- use gentle techniques like stretching, movement and massage
- give clients advice on exercises to do at home, lifestyle and diet
Working environment
You could work in an NHS or private hospital, in a therapy clinic, at a client's home or from home.
Career path and progression
With experience you could:
- set up your your own osteopathy practice
- do further training and move into teaching osteopathy students
- move into osteopathic research
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of medicine and how the body works
- physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
- the ability to work well with your hands
- sensitivity and understanding
- to enjoy working with other people
- customer service skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- analytical thinking skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- have insurance
- pass enhanced background checks
Before you can register with the General Osteopathic Council, you'll need to give health and personal character references.
How to become
You can get into this job through a university course or professional development training.
To become an osteopath, you'll need to complete a degree or postgraduate master's degree approved by the General Osteopathic Council.
Courses usually take 4 years full time, or you might be able to study part time over 5 years.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including a science, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
You'll find it helpful to get some work experience in healthcare with an osteopath before you apply for a course.
If you're already medically qualified, for example as a doctor or physiotherapist, you might be able to do a shorter postgraduate training programme.
Registration
- you must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council to work as an osteopath
Career tips
When applying for courses and jobs, you'll be expected to have an understanding of how the NHS values apply in your work.
Further information
You can find out more about becoming an osteopath from the General Osteopathic Council and Health Careers.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.