Structural osteopathy is the best known of the osteopathic treatments. Quite often the term is used incorrectly to identify osteopathy.

Structural osteopathy describes the diagnosis and treatment of dysfunctions in the musculoskeletal system. Limitations within the musculoskeletal system can find their causes in various structures and tissues. They can also take form as bone and joint dysfunction, muscle tension and fibrosis, adhesions in fascia, etc.

Based on these principles, structural osteopathy recognises the importance of the interdependence between the structure of the body and its function. A dysfunction of a joint or tissue, generally characterized by a decrease in mobility and elasticity, will affect the biomechanical and overall function of that area. As a result more pressure will be put on the surrounding structures in an attempt to compensate for the changes. With time and temporality, the increased pressure will gradually cause a reduction of the compensatory structure. Similar to the domino fall, the process starts again with abnormal adaptations and hypomobility (or hyperactivity) in another area.