An Osteopath uses their clinical knowledge together with their highly skilled sense of touch, known as palpation, to diagnose and treat people. Osteopaths are primary health care practitioners with a statutory regulatory body, The General Osteopathic Council . All Osteopaths practising in the UK have undergone rigorous clinical training for 4 to 5 years. They study anatomy, physiology and pathology and clinical subjects to a very high standard. Many go on to pursue post-graduate courses in their particular field of interest or to deepen their knowledge of osteopathy, which is said to take a life time to understand its full therapeutic potential. The complexity of the human body and its ability to self-heal is amazing, so an osteopath commits to a life-long journey of studying.