networkn: I'm sorry to say but after having spent 30K on various people including chiropractors and osteopaths and other similar people (for a recurrant back problems since I was 12), I have ZERO faith in what they provide. It was made much worse when a 25 year veteran osteopath admitted after too much drinking, it was mostly marketing and "occupying peoples minds while nature takes it's course". Interestingly a Chiropracter I know socially, agreed (off the record). 

It's also worth noting that there is very little "science" behind these types of treatments.

On that vein I couldn't recommend an Osteopath in good conscience in any capacity at any location.

Obviously your own experience may vary.

im just after someone who can tell me if i have muscular imbalances.

is an osteo the wrong guy to seek?

It's also worth noting that there is very little "science" behind these types of treatments.

+1

SIL went to one with severe neck pain.

After this woman twisted her neck about, wrenching it round etc and recommending all sorts of nosense SIL got worse.

She mentioned this on next visit and the quack got quite sh***y, blaming it on SIL.

I told her to see her doc.

 She was then diagnosed with severe oesteoarthritis and doc was horrified and said she could have been badly injured and paralysed.

TeaLeaf:

 

im just after someone who can tell me if i have muscular imbalances.

 

is an osteo the wrong guy to seek?

 

I would have thought start with a Doctor to confirm that is actually the problem and then go to a physiotherapist to learn the stretches and exercises that help.

lol ive seen a zillion physios, they do jack .... they been there done that.

if osteo is fringe mainstream, who is the right person to factually assess musculoskeletal balance?

certainly not a physio.

TeaLeaf:

 

lol ive seen a zillion physios, they do jack .... they been there done that.

 

if osteo is fringe mainstream, who is the right person to factually assess musculoskeletal balance?

 

certainly not a physio.

 

I agree there a lot of useless physios, if you were in Wellington I could give you the names of a couple of very good physios including one who specialises in this sort of problem.

wasabi2k: These discussions tend to go this way when osteos are mentioned.

I can only comment that the osteo I saw gave me a set of stretches and worked with me over a 2 week period and I don't get lower back pain anymore. If I don't do those stretches for a week my back starts tightening up and gets sore.

So yeah - worked for me. I can't vouch for the veracity of the profession at large.

I guess I wouldn't say that falls under what I'd say an Osteopath normally does, and a physio would have given you the same result. 

After 20 years of miserable back pain by way of episodes every 6 weeks like clockwork and having spent more money than a family would spend on a new car, seeking results, I was FINALLY suggested an MRI and set of X-Rays which showed I have less fluid in my lower back bits than a normal person, and a "lazy" core. (From a Muscioskeletal specialist)

I was recommended a "core program" at a physio attached to a gym, and I did that for 4 weeks then the core program at the Gym, I haven't had a serious episode for 6+ years, though I do still get the occasional minor higher back/neck one related to poor posture I believe. 

Kids helped my core as well. Both my kids were very small due to being a month early and so I have gradually built up strength through carrying them. 

I believe poor core and sedentary lifestyles make up the reason for 85%+ of back pain.