What is osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a hands-on approach to healthcare that assesses and treats the body as a whole. Rather than focusing solely on the area where you experience pain or discomfort, an osteopath also explores how other parts of the body may influence your symptoms, recovery and physical resilience.

The body consists of several interconnected systems that continuously work together, including muscles, joints, connective tissue, organs, blood vessels, nerves and the lymphatic system. Restrictions in movement, increased tension or reduced circulation in one area may affect other parts of the body, potentially contributing to persistent or recurring symptoms.



An osteopathic assessment therefore focuses on identifying restrictions in movement and areas of impaired function throughout the body. Using gentle hands-on techniques, the osteopath aims to improve mobility and the way different tissues work together, supporting the body's ability to function and recover.

The fundamental principles of osteopathy

Osteopathy is based on several key principles.

The first principle is that the body functions as a whole. A problem in one area of the body may affect other regions. Pain or discomfort in the back, neck or shoulder, for example, does not always occur in isolation. The underlying cause or contributing factors may also be related to other parts of the body, such as the pelvis, chest, abdomen or nervous system.

The second principle is that structure and function are interrelated. The way tissues are structured and move influences how they function. Conversely, changes in function, for example due to overuse, tension, difficulties with recovery or reduced mobility, may also affect the structure and movement of the body.

The third principle is that the body has an inherent ability to regulate and heal itself. The body is constantly working to maintain balance, adapt to physical demands and recover. Osteopathic treatment aims to create favourable conditions that support these natural recovery processes.

The fourth principle is that assessment and treatment are based on anatomy and physiology. An osteopath works with a thorough understanding of how the body is structured and how it functions. Treatment is tailored to the individual, their symptoms and the findings of the physical examination. If osteopathy is not considered appropriate or further medical investigation is required, this will always be discussed.

The difference between osteopathy and physiotherapy

Osteopathy and physiotherapy are often compared. Both approaches aim to reduce symptoms and improve physical function, but they differ in how the body is assessed and treated.

Physiotherapy focuses on the musculoskeletal system, including muscles, joints, posture, strength, mobility and physical resilience. Exercise therapy, training and advice usually play an important role. Osteopathy takes a broader approach, considering the body as a whole. In addition to muscles and joints, the assessment may include connective tissue, organs, the nervous system, blood vessels, breathing, the spine and pelvis.

Osteopathy considers several interconnected systems within the body. These include the parietal system, involving muscles, joints, the spine and pelvis; the visceral system, involving the mobility of organs, the abdomen, chest and diaphragm; and the craniosacral system, which considers structures such as the skull, spine, sacrum and nervous system. The autonomic nervous system may also play a role. This part of the nervous system is involved in processes such as stress responses, relaxation, breathing, circulation and digestion.

Osteopathy does not focus solely on the area where you experience pain or discomfort. Restrictions in movement or patterns of tension elsewhere in the body may influence your symptoms, recovery or physical resilience. The aim of an osteopathic assessment is to identify factors that may contribute to or maintain your symptoms.



At Osteo Elout, both approaches come together. My background in physiotherapy and manual therapy allows me to assess physical complaints thoroughly, while osteopathy enables me to take a broader view of how different parts of the body interact and influence one another.

The origins of osteopathy

Osteopathy was founded by the American physician Andrew Taylor Still. He developed the philosophy of osteopathy during the second half of the 19th century, around 1874. Still was critical of the medical practices of his time and placed great emphasis on anatomy, the functioning of the body as a whole, and the relationship between structure and health. The first school of osteopathy was subsequently established in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1892.

Since then, osteopathy has developed in different ways across various countries. However, its original philosophy, assessing the body as a whole and treating it with an understanding of how its different parts are interconnected, remains at the heart of osteopathic practice today.

Osteopathy in the Dutch healthcare system

In the Netherlands, osteopathy is considered a form of complementary healthcare. It is a rapidly growing complementary therapy and is increasingly recognised as a valuable addition to conventional medical care. Osteopathy is practised alongside mainstream healthcare, and patients can usually book an appointment without a referral from their GP.

More and more people are turning to osteopathy for persistent or recurring symptoms, conditions that do not improve as expected, or complaints where the underlying cause is not immediately clear. Doctors and other healthcare professionals also refer patients to osteopaths when a broader approach to assessing the body may be beneficial.

Osteopathy is not a BIG-registered profession in the Netherlands. Therefore, professional registration, education, standards of practice and quality assurance are particularly important. The Dutch Register of Osteopathy (Nederlands Register voor Osteopathie, NRO) oversees the criteria and regulations for registered osteopaths. It was established because osteopathy does not have a specific statutory regulatory framework in the Netherlands. According to the NRO, registered osteopaths must meet professional standards established by the profession, government authorities and health insurance providers.

Osteo Elout is registered with the Dutch Register of Osteopathy (NRO). This means that the practice adheres to the quality requirements and professional standards applicable to registered osteopaths.

The Netherlands also has a professional association for osteopaths: the Dutch Association for Osteopathy (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Osteopathie, NVO). The NVO represents osteopaths in the Netherlands and is involved in the development, recognition and quality of the profession.

Training to Become an Osteopath

Training to become an osteopath is extensive and requires a broad understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, embryology, and manual assessment and treatment techniques. Osteopaths learn to assess the body as a whole and identify factors that may influence symptoms, recovery and physical resilience.

An osteopath must not only master a range of treatment techniques but also be able to determine when osteopathic care is or is not appropriate. If symptoms suggest an underlying medical condition or further investigation is required, an osteopath will recommend consulting a GP or another medical specialist.

I completed my Master's degree in Osteopathy at the International Academy of Osteopathy (IAO), graduating with a degree awarded by Buckinghamshire New University (BNU). Osteo Elout is also registered with the Dutch Register of Osteopathy (Nederlands Register voor Osteopathie, NRO), ensuring that the practice meets the quality requirements and professional standards expected of registered osteopaths.

Health insurance reimbursement

In the Netherlands, osteopathy is often partially covered by supplementary health insurance. The amount reimbursed varies depending on your health insurance provider and policy. Reimbursement is generally not subject to the mandatory deductible (eigen risico), as osteopathy is not usually covered by the Dutch basic health insurance package.

To qualify for reimbursement, health insurance providers often require treatment to be carried out by a registered osteopath. Therefore, always check your policy conditions or contact your health insurance provider before booking an appointment.

When should you see an osteopath?

People visit an osteopath for a variety of reasons, including persistent or recurring symptoms, complaints that do not improve as expected, or conditions where the underlying cause is not immediately clear. Examples include back and neck pain, headaches, pelvic pain, abdominal discomfort, sports injuries, overuse-related complaints, and symptoms affecting babies and children.

An osteopath does not make medical diagnoses in the same way as a GP or medical specialist. Instead, an osteopathic assessment focuses on mobility and how different parts of the body function together. If there are indications that further medical investigation is needed, this will always be discussed with you.

Osteopathy at Osteo Elout

At Osteo Elout, I take a comprehensive and careful approach to physical complaints. As an osteopath, I look beyond the area where you experience pain or tension, considering how different parts of the body are interconnected. During your first consultation, we take the time to discuss your symptoms, medical history, physical demands and recovery. This is followed by a physical examination that considers the body as a whole.

My background in physiotherapy and manual therapy, combined with my knowledge of exercise physiology, allows me to assess symptoms thoroughly and approach treatment from different perspectives. Based on the examination, I aim to identify factors that may contribute to or maintain your symptoms. Treatment is tailored to your individual needs, symptoms and physical capacity.