Alternative Medicine in the UAE: Why Osteopathy Feels Different (and Why It Matters to Me)

When people hear the phrase alternative medicine, I imagine their minds drift somewhere between herbal teas, acupuncture needles, and maybe the odd gong bath. And while I’m all for a bit of self-care (if I can squeeze it in between school runs), what I really want to talk about today is the hands-on approach that stole my heart — osteopathy.

Over the past few years, I’ve noticed how many people here in the UAE are exploring ways to look after their health that feel a little more personal, a little more thoughtful, and maybe a bit more curious than simply masking symptoms. There’s this growing recognition that health isn’t just about isolated aches and pains — it’s about how we feel in our bodies, day to day.

And that’s exactly where osteopathy comes in.

So, What Actually Is Osteopathy?

Put simply, osteopathy is about understanding the body as one connected system. It’s hands-on work — using movement, soft tissue techniques, gentle joint work, and a good deal of listening (to both the body and the person) — to support the body’s natural ability to heal.

One of the things I love most about this approach is that it doesn’t just ask where it hurts; it asks why it hurts. Because, as we all know, pain isn’t always about the spot that’s shouting the loudest.

That shoulder tension? It might have more to do with your desk setup… or how often you're hoisting a toddler onto your hip… or the way you clench your jaw when navigating Sheikh Zayed Road at rush hour (I see you).

Osteopathy helps to create space for these kinds of questions — to look at the bigger picture, not just the isolated symptom.

How Is It Different From Other Hands-On Therapies?

This is a question I’m often asked — sometimes by patients, sometimes by friends over dinner (usually after I’ve politely refused to “just take a quick look” at someone’s back between courses!).

The truth is, there are many brilliant approaches out there when it comes to hands-on care — from physiotherapy to chiropractic and beyond. Each has its own strengths, its own philosophy, and its own way of working.

What makes osteopathy feel a little different, at least to me, is the focus on the body as a whole system — the understanding that structure and function are completely intertwined. It’s not about one muscle or one joint on its own. It’s about how the body moves, responds, and adapts as a connected unit.

I’m less interested in labels like “back pain” or “neck strain” and more curious about why your body might be feeling the way it does, and how we can work together to support it.

Who Do I Work With?

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with all kinds of people:

New mums adjusting to life after pregnancy (and the lovely combination of joy, exhaustion, and aches that can come with it)

Office workers whose backs are quietly protesting after one Zoom call too many

Athletes fine-tuning their bodies for performance or recovery

Busy parents (like me) whose self-care often involves finishing leftover fish fingers and hoping that counts as lunch

I also have a particular focus on women’s health — from pregnancy care to pelvic health — an area that’s close to my heart both professionally and personally.

Why I’m So Passionate About This Work

Being a mum of four, including our beautiful daughter who has global developmental delay, has taught me more about bodies, resilience, and patience than any textbook ever could. She’s shown me what it means to truly meet someone where they are — without assumptions, without rushing, just holding space and listening.

That’s the mindset I bring into my work as an osteopath. No cookie-cutter treatments. No conveyor belts. Just time, attention, and a genuine curiosity to understand what your body needs.

Osteopathy and the UAE: A Growing Conversation

One of the things I love about practicing here in Dubai is the openness people have toward exploring different paths to wellness. The UAE is such a beautifully diverse place, and with that comes a broad range of experiences and expectations around health.

More and more, I see people seeking out approaches that aren’t about “fixing” one small part of themselves but about understanding how everything connects — how stress, movement, posture, pregnancy, sports, work, and life all play a role in how we feel.

Osteopathy sits comfortably within this conversation. It’s not about replacing anything else. It’s about adding another layer of support — another way to tune into your body and feel more like yourself again.

If You’re Curious…

If you’re wondering whether osteopathy could help you — whether it’s a nagging ache, post-pregnancy recovery, sports injury, or simply that feeling of being out of sync with your body — I’d love to explore that with you.

You can find me at Kinetic Integrated Health here in Dubai (feel free to visit kinetic-clinic.com).