1. Working in partnership to reduce absenteeism
Date
Your name and post nominals
Professional title
Your practice name
You may wish to insert your practice logo or the logo of the company that you are speaking to in the top of this slide, next to the iO Logo.
Introduce yourself, including:
- Your name
That you are a practicing osteopath with xx years experience
The name of your practice and where it is located / a bit about other therapists working at the practice or specialist interests / your current working patterns / what you love about being an osteopath (keep it short – 1 min max)
“I have been asked to speak to you today about how osteopathic practice can help you to reduce workplace absenteeism.”

2. The scale of the problem
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) accounted for 8.9 million work days lost between 2016 – 2017*
On average, each person took around days off work for MSDs*
Up to 60% of people on long term sick leave cite MSDs as the reason*
Early intervention significantly reduces the chances of long-term absenteeism**
- Explain that “’Musculoskeletal’ refers to all of the muscles, bones, joints and related tissues in the body. MSDs include conditions such as back and neck pain, sprains, strains and muscle spasms as well as other such conditions.”
- “Absenteeism due to back, neck and joint problems costs you money, reduces productivity and lowers staff morale.”
- “[Your practice name] provides cost effective treatment for these problems in your locality and help your work force return to work faster.”
*Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
**Musculoskeletal Services Framework, Department of Health 2006

3. What is osteopathic practice?
Osteopathic practice is a safe and effective form of therapy that promotes the health of the people we care for through:
Manual therapy
Health advice and education
Rehabilitation exercises
Osteopathic practice focuses on the individual needs of the patient.
- “Osteopathy is recognised by the NHS and well known for effectively treating musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain, neck pain, joint and muscle pain.
It has an excellent safety record and is suitable for patients of all ages.”
- “Treatment is usually very gentle, involving a combination of mobilisation, manipulation and soft tissue massage to help improve function.”
“As osteopaths are independently regulated primary healthcare professionals, patients don’t need to be referred to see an osteopath by their GP.”
‘Manual therapy’ - including joint manipulation, joint articulation and soft tissue techniques such as massage.
‘Health promotion’ – such as the importance of physical activity, weight management and breathing/relaxation techniques.

4. Osteopaths are: Highly trained primary health care professionals
Recognised as Allied Health Professionals by NHS England
Able to diagnose and treat a wide range of health issues
Work with patients of all ages
Work with and refer onto other healthcare professionals
as required
Experts in the musculoskeletal system and its
relationship to other systems throughout the body.
Being a ‘Primary healthcare professional’ means that a patient doesn’t need to visit their GP to be referred before seeing an osteopath, in many cases osteopaths are the first point of contact for patients.
‘AHP status’ was awarded to the osteopathic profession by NHS England in 2017 meaning that osteopaths are no longer ‘complementary and alternative’ therapists, but now have the same degree of credibility and status as other AHPs, such as paramedics, podiatrists and physiotherapists.
‘Expert in the MSK system’ – means throughout the whole body, not just experts in treating bad backs!

5. What the research says Osteopaths are known for back pain:
Manual therapy recommended by National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) for the assessment and management of Low Back Pain and Sciatica (2016)
But treat much more than just backs:
All joint and arthritic pain
Sports injuries
Some headaches
Tension and inability to relax
Circulatory problems
Digestive issues
Fibromyalgia
And more…
- “There is also good evidence to support the safety and effectiveness of osteopathic practice…”

6. What patients say “Add your patient Testimonials here”
- “Osteopathic practice has a patient-centred approach that places the wellbeing of patients at the very heart of care. As such, it’s critical that the profession monitors patient experience and satisfaction. We do this through research and by using Patient Reported Outcome and Experience tools (PROMs and PREMs). And from that research, this is what patients say….“

7. Osteopathic practice in the UK
“Osteopath” is a protected title
Regulated by law (Osteopaths Act 1993)
GOsC is the osteopathic Regulator (Similar to GMC for doctors)
- For the first bullet point say “Did you know that the word Osteopath’ is a title protected by law, you cannot call yourself an osteopath without having undertaken 4-year degree level training and without being registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).”
“Since 1993, when osteopathic practice underwent statutory regulation, the demand for and popularity of osteopathy has been steadily increasing. Today an estimated 30,000 people consult an osteopath every working day.”
State “I’m registered with the GOsC and a member of the Institute of Osteopathy, the professional body in osteopathy. This means that you can be assured of the highest standards of care for your staff.” (Add your GOsC ‘I’m registered’ logo and registration number to the presentation)

8. [PRACTICE NAME] can help by…
Providing fast, safe & effective treatment for MSDs for your staff
Offer early intervention and personalised treatments to reduce lost productivity
Improved staff morale through effective pain management and support
Enable you to position yourself as a caring and supportive employer.
Providing treatment for MSDs at a competitive rate through monthly invoicing
Agreed fees per session frozen for agreed term
Regular reporting
Annual audit allowing for yearly comparison
(Add your practice name in at the top of the slide)

9. Contact us: Your name Your practice name Address Address, post code
Tel: +44 (0) xxxx xxxx
Practice address
- Ask “Do you have any questions?”