The Hythe Osteopathic Clinic

Welcome to The Hythe Osteopathic Clinic

You don't have to be old to need an osteopath!

What is osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a distinct clinical discipline recognised by the British Medical Association. Osteopathy is based on the principal that all ailments - whether minor or serious - are as a result of imbalance somewhere in the network of our body's systems. It is a manual therapy designed to improve the function and physiology of our bodies.

What conditions can it treat?

Particularly proficient at diagnosing and dealing with backache, osteopaths also attend to conditions ranging from carpal tunnel and frozen shoulder, to Irritable Bowel Syndrome and sinusitis.

Who can benefit from treatment?

A variety of techniques are used to improve mobility, reduce swelling and restore function to all parts of the body.
Minor sports injuries can be treated to speed recovery and advice given to avoid further injury.
Cranial technique, an extremely gentle approach, can benefit all ages, from the most precious new born babies through all stages of life.

Isn't it just for the elderly?

All ages can benefit from osteopathy, from babies to self-employed tradesmen who can't afford to miss a day's work, to the active retired who want to make the most of their time. Osteopaths help millions of people every year and, just as we service our cars, a regular check up with the osteopath could help maintain a healthy body. Ailments of ageing can be significantly improved by the therapeutic approach of osteopathy.

Who are osteopaths?

In order to use the term 'Osteopath', which is protected by law, an individual has to be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). To become registered all osteopaths have to complete and pass a legally accredited degree course, as well as having a Criminal Records check and medical reference. A degree course, of usually four or five years, includes anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, nutrition and biomechanics, plus at least 1,000 hours of clinical training.

Price List January 2026

Child and Baby Clinic

Osteopaths treat people of all ages and range from babies and small children to older populations and pregnant women. Some osteopaths work in areas of specialisation with patients with specific needs such as those with disabilities, learning difficulties or with NHS premature baby units or paediatric clinics.

All practitioners at the Hythe Osteopathic Clinic have graduated from the European School of Osteopathy which uniquely includes a compulsory module within its curriculum for the treatment of pregnant women and babies as well as having a very successful and dedicated undergraduate clinic for the treatment of these patients. Thus, they are all educated and experienced in the assessment and treatment of pregnant women and children of all ages.

During pregnancy a women's body changes, including a softening of ligaments, weight changes and posture adaptation which may lead to additional pressure on joints. Babies skeletons are softer than an adults and gentle techniques can be applied when treating babies.

Gentle manipulation could help soothe and relax your baby and relieve the stresses and strains on your body during pregnancy and after birth. Osteopathy could help with general aches and pains and is suitable for children of all ages. A thorough assessment is carried out to see what might help you or your baby and osteopaths are bound by their professional status to ensure the therapeutic relationship between osteopath and patient is built on trust and confidence.

Osteopaths believe that the healthy balance and function of the musculoskeletal framework of the body is essential to whole body health. There may be a number of contributing factors to the presenting symptoms and so we will evaluate not only the area which is producing the symptoms but also associated areas that may be contributing factors to those symptoms. As such osteopathy could be the healthcare approach that you or your baby require.

Colic, a special case

Colic is a term used to label a set of symptoms including inconsolable crying. There is no single identifiable cause for colic and as such no specific treatment. Some over the counter medicines claim to help relieve these symptoms, although as they all have different interactions may or may not be beneficial. If the symptoms have a cause that is of a muscular-skeletal source, osteopathy may be able to help these minor dysfunctions and so reduce the symptom presentation. With the training our osteopaths have received they will be able to advise whether osteopathy can help on an individual basis. Remember, healthy babies need not be irritable!

Opening Times

Children and babies are welcome to attend the clinic at any point during normal working hours.

Meet the Team

Charles Bruford

Charles Bruford is the Principal Osteopath at The Hythe Osteopathic Clinic and Director of the company. He opened his clinic on the High Street in Hythe in 2006 and moved premises to 60 Earlsfield Road in 2010 where patients can enjoy easy access and parking. Charles works Wednesdays to Saturdays using a wide range of approaches for all patient presentations. He has particular skills for treating infants and children.

Adam Riley

Adam is a qualified Osteopath and Sports Massage therapist. He moved to Hythe from London in 2019 and is helping people of all ages, recover from everyday minor aches and pains, to supporting and enhancing rehabilitation programs from sporting injuries to joint replacements. Also, as a former professional musician of 25 years, Adam has treated and helped many musicians and artists overcome postural discomfort and injuries linked with playing a musical instrument.

Adam believes in an individualised, patient centred approach. This ensures that everybody is viewed as a unique individual who is assessed, diagnosed and treated with an ongoing, tailor made treatment plan, that aims to restore you to greater health.

As a father of three, Adam has seen the benefits of osteopathy for both mother and baby as well as growing children and highly recommends osteopathy as a non-invasive, gentle approach to treating the whole family.

Contact Us

Get in Touch

Address: 60 Earlsfield Road, Hythe, Kent, CT21 5PF
Email: hytheosteo@gmail.com
Telephone: 01303 265905
Parking: Free parking is readily available outside the clinic.

Related Links

Please find below links to web sites that can give you more information regarding both osteopathic treatment and if you are interested in studying to become an osteopath yourself.

The General Osteopathic Council's site has particularly good downloadable leaflets that may be of interest. It also has a searchable database of all registered osteopaths in the UK.

www.osteopathy.org.uk

The General Osteopathic Council's web site with additional information concerning all aspects of Osteopathy.

www.iosteopathy.org

The British Osteopathic Association. Additional information regarding Osteopathy.