Featured items

There are no featured items on this page

Osteopath - Personal requirements

Kaiwhakamaimoa Kōiwi

Skills & knowledge

Osteopaths need to have:

knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology (how drugs affect the human body)
an understanding of how the body, particularly the spine and nervous system, works
the ability to observe people's body movements to make clear diagnoses of musculoskeletal conditions
knowledge of how people behave when they have muscular or spinal pain, and the ability to work out treatment plans and ways to help patients aid their recovery
knowledge of manual treatments and methods to alter body functions
the ability to keep up to date with new developments in muscular and skeletal medicine
knowledge of diseases
listening and communication skills
problem-solving skills.

Osteopaths may develop skills and techniques such as cranial osteopathy (treating trauma to the head) or visceral osteopathy (treating abdominal problems including gynaecological and urinary problems). This allows them to concentrate on specific types of patients including children (paediatrics), aged people (geriatrics) or people recovering from injury (rehabilitation).

"You’ve got to be personable and able to communicate with people because every patient that comes in the door has to be convinced that the treatment works."

Will Aitken - Osteopath

Personal Qualities

Osteopaths need to be:

concerned for others
patient and understanding
dedicated and motivated
practical
able to make good judgements
logical in their thinking, for example to come up with a diagnosis and put together a treatment plan.

Osteopaths also need to have an awareness and understanding of other cultures and beliefs.

Physical Requirements

Osteopaths need to:

be reasonably fit and healthy
have strong hands and forearms so they can make precise hand and finger movements
develop a sensitivity in their hand movements so that they can identify and correct a patient's physical problems.