“My back is sore, or my shoulders are tight — should I book a massage, or should I see an osteopath?”
Osteopath, Kathleen, clarifies the difference between massage and osteopathy.
Both are hands-on treatments, both can be relaxing and relieving, but the philosophy, training, and scope behind each are quite different.
The Philosophy Behind Osteopathy
Osteopathy is built on the idea that the body has an incredible capacity to heal itself, and that all of its systems are interconnected. The phrase we often use is: the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
That means when you come in with back pain, I’m not just thinking about the back. I’m also considering your posture, how you breathe, the quality of your sleep, your stress levels, and even transitions happening in your life that may be affecting your body. Osteopathy takes the bigger picture into account, not just the sore spot.
What an Osteopath Does
Osteopaths undertake extensive training to understand the body in detail, muscles, joints, ligaments, the nervous system, circulation, and even how the organs influence and are influenced by pain and movement.
During treatment, I might use gentle techniques to release tight muscles or mobilise a stiff joint, but I’ll also be working to improve blood flow, calm the nervous system, and create better balance through your whole body. In other words, osteopathy looks for the “why” behind your pain, not just the “where.”
What Massage Brings to the Table
Massage therapy, on the other hand, is brilliant for working directly with the muscles and soft tissues. If your shoulders are aching after a long week at the desk, or your calves are tight after a big run, a massage can be just what you need.
Massage therapists use techniques such as kneading, stretching, and effleurage (long, flowing strokes) to release muscle tension, boost circulation, and leave you feeling more relaxed. The focus is usually localised, treating the area that feels tight or sore, and the effects are often immediate.
How to Choose What’s Right for You
Both osteopathy and massage have their place, and sometimes they even complement each other beautifully. The choice often comes down to what your body needs at that moment:
Choose massage if you’re looking for quick, targeted relief and a chance to unwind while easing muscle tension.
Choose osteopathy if you want a whole-person approach that explores underlying causes, supports your body’s self-healing ability, and looks at the bigger picture of your health.
Putting It Into Practice
I often explain it like this: if your neck is sore, massage can help release the tight muscles in your neck and shoulders, giving you relief and comfort. If the same neck pain keeps returning, an osteopath will step back and ask: what’s driving this? Is it posture? Breathing patterns? Stress? Jaw tension? Sleep position?
Both are valuable approaches but they serve different purposes.
The Takeaway
So next time you’re wondering which to book, think about what you’re really needing: is it quick muscle relief, or a deeper look at the bigger picture? Sometimes the answer might even be both, depending on what your body is asking for.
At the end of the day, the goal is the same, to help you feel better in your body and move through life with greater ease.