Why Osteopaths Ask About Diet and Digestion

Whilst Osteopaths aren’t nutritionists or dieticians, we take a keen interest in these subjects as Osteopathy is a holistic approach to the body, and our questions can include your diet, what you drink and eat, as well as bowel and bladder function, as this can not only have an influence on your injuries but also on your recovery.

If you think you need professional advice on your diet, we recommend consulting a registered dietician. However, if you’re looking for general advice, you can always ask us; we may be able to provide the answer.

The Link Between Diet, Pain and Recovery

Another reason we ask about diet and bowel function is that pain can be felt away from the area that’s causing it; this is known as referred pain.

For example, pain generated from a back injury may manifest as abdominal pain. The opposite may also be true — someone with a gut issue may experience back pain and no abdominal pain or symptoms.

The body isn’t always perfect at working out where pain is coming from, and sometimes it gets it wrong! We all know a heart attack can show up as left shoulder, jaw or arm pain. Similarly, a gallbladder issue can cause right shoulder pain.

Sometimes, we may seem to be asking odd questions, but there is a method to the madness, and everything we ask is for a good reason. Screening you to see whether your pain is from a musculoskeletal issue or caused by something else is exactly what we’re trained to do!

Do You Check Your Poo?

(Sorry if you’re eating breakfast!)

A few months ago, we reminded you to check the colour of your urine to gauge your level of hydration. Well, checking your poo or stools is equally important, and knowing what is normal for your bowel movements.

You should have an idea of how often you go, how long it usually takes, and what type of poo you typically have.

The Bristol Stool Scale classifies stools into seven different types.
Types 1–2 indicate constipation, 3–4 are normal, and 5–7 are classified as diarrhoea.