{"title":"Osteopathy","content":"**Osteopathy is a manual therapy that evaluates and seeks to improve, using the hands only, the mobility of the different structures of the body — joints, muscles, ligaments, viscera and fascia. At the Pôle Equilibre & Santé practice in Dudelange, located in the city centre, qualified osteopaths see patients with direct access, without prescription, to support many everyday functional disorders.**\n\n## Where does osteopathy come from?\n\nThis discipline was born in the United States at the end of the 19th century, through the work of Dr Andrew Taylor Still, around a simple idea: the body has self-regulatory capacities, and lifting mobility restrictions can help to release them. The term combines two Greek roots, *osteon* (bone, in the sense of structure) and *pathos* (suffering).\n\nToday, the osteopath relies on solid knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics to apply rigorous clinical reasoning. The assessment is not limited to the painful area: it seeks the origin of the imbalance, sometimes away from the symptom.\n\n## What principles is the approach based on?\n\nOsteopathy is organised around a few main principles:\n\n- **The whole**: the body forms a whole where each structure influences the others.\n- **Mobility**: good functional health assumes that tissues and joints maintain their freedom of movement.\n- **Self-regulation**: the body spontaneously tends towards balance when the obstacles are removed.\n- **The structure-function relationship**: a structure hampered in its movement can have an impact on the function it provides.\n\nThese principles guide the manual examination and the choice of techniques, always adjusted to the person and their reason for consulting.\n\n## Who is osteopathy for?\n\nThe approach concerns a wide variety of people, from infants to seniors. At the practice, osteopaths receive:\n\n- the [infant](/dudelange/osteopathie/nourrisson) and the [child or adolescent](/dudelange/osteopathie/enfant-adolescent) in full growth;\n- the [adult](/dudelange/osteopathie/adulte) confronted with the tensions of daily life and work;\n- the [sportsman](/dudelange/osteopathie/sportif), recreational and competitive;\n- the [pregnant woman](/dudelange/osteopathie/femme-enceinte) and the [senior](/dudelange/osteopathie/senior).\n\nOsteopathy can help relieve certain functional disorders (spinal pain, tension, mild digestive discomfort, consequences of old trauma). It is not intended to treat organic conditions: in case of doubt, the osteopath refers to a doctor.\n\n## What is the difference between osteopathy and physiotherapy?\n\nThe two disciplines are complementary and often associated. Physiotherapy generally is generally provided on medical prescription, as part of a rehabilitation process and over several closely spaced sessions. Osteopathy is available without referral, over a more limited number of sessions, with a whole-body assessment of the body. To better understand the field of physiotherapy, consult the page [physiotherapy: definition](/dudelange/kinesitherapie/kinesitherapie-definition).\n\n## Official framework in Luxembourg\n\nOsteopathy is a **regulated health profession** in Luxembourg: only practitioners authorised by the [Ministry of Health](https://sante.public.lu/en.html) may use the title of osteopath. Unlike physiotherapy, it is **not covered** by the [CNS](https://cns.public.lu/en/assure/remboursements/prestations-remboursees/prestations-paramedicales.html) as a basic benefit; some complementary mutual funds do contribute to the cost. How a session works is explained on [The Consultation](/dudelange/osteopathie/consultation-osteo).\n\n## Frequently asked questions\n\n### Is osteopathy reimbursed in Luxembourg?\n\nOsteopathy is not reimbursed by the CNS. However, certain health insurers or supplementary insurance cover part of the amount. It is advisable to check your contract before the first session and keep your invoice.\n\n### Do you need a prescription to consult?\n\nNo. In Dudelange, as elsewhere in Luxembourg, osteopathy is available without referral: you can make an appointment without going through your doctor. However, bring any recent test results if you have them.\n\n### How long does a session last?\n\nA consultation lasts on average 45 minutes. The complete process, from the interview to the examination and then to the treatment, is described on the page [osteopathic consultation](/dudelange/osteopathie/consultation-osteo).\n\n### Does osteopathy hurt?\n\nThe techniques are mostly gentle and adapted to each person. They can sometimes cause temporary soreness in the hours that follow, while the body adjusts. Do not hesitate to report any discomfort to your practitioner.\n\n## To make an appointment\n\nYou can make an osteopathy appointment at the Dudelange office (Bloc A, 48 Rue de la Libération, L-3511) by telephone at [+352 27 99 42 42](tel:+35227994242). For any practical questions, contact us via the [contact](/dudelange/contact) page.\n- [Ministry of Health](https://sante.public.lu/en.html) — regulated health professions\n- [CNS — Paramedical benefits](https://cns.public.lu/en/assure/remboursements/prestations-remboursees/prestations-paramedicales.html) — what health insurance does (and does not) cover\n"}