If you are living in Amsterdam and dealing with ongoing pain, stiffness, or fatigue, you might wonder whether to book a session with a physiotherapist (fysiotherapeut) or an osteopath (osteopaat). Having trained and worked in both fields—as a BIG-registered physiotherapist and an NRO-registered osteopath—I often help patients navigate this exact choice.
While both professions aim to restore movement and relieve pain, they look at the body through different lenses.
Physiotherapy: Focusing on Local Function and Rehabilitation
In the Netherlands, physiotherapy focuses primarily on the musculoskeletal system—your muscles, joints, and tendons. It is ideal when you have a clear, localized injury or need active rehabilitation.
Best for: Sports injuries, post-surgery recovery, acute sprains, and building strength after an injury.
What a session looks like: Assessments usually focus on the painful area, combining targeted exercises, strengthening routines, and local manual therapy.
Insurance in NL: Covered under supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering), or basic insurance (basisverzekering) for specific chronic conditions.
Osteopathy: Looking at the Body as One Connected System
Osteopathy takes a broader, whole-body approach. Instead of looking only at where it hurts, an osteopath investigates why that area is overloaded in the first place. Everything in your body—muscles, joints, organs, blood vessels, and nerves—is connected through fascia (connective tissue). Restricted mobility in one area can easily create tension somewhere else.
Best for: Persistent back or neck pain that keeps returning, tension headaches, jaw pain, digestive discomfort, stress-related tension, and recovery after pregnancy or illness.
What a session looks like: Through gentle, hands-on techniques, I assess three interconnected systems: the parietal (muscles and joints), visceral (organs and their mobility), and craniosacral (nervous system and subtle rhythms) systems.
Insurance in NL: Because I am registered with the NRO (reg. 10636), consultations are partially reimbursed by most Dutch health insurers under supplementary packages (aanvullende verzekering – alternative medicine/movement care), without needing a GP referral.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you have just twisted your ankle running in Westerpark and need a progressive exercise plan, standard physiotherapy is a great starting point. However, if you have tried stretching, exercises, or massage and your pain keeps coming back—or if your symptoms feel connected to stress, posture, or digestion—osteopathy can help uncover the deeper root cause.
Not sure which approach fits you best?
In my Amsterdam practice, I combine my background in both physiotherapy and osteopathy to tailor every session to what your body truly needs. You can book a consultation in English, Dutch, Italian, or Spanish at my locations in Amsterdam West (WIJS Osteopathie) or Amsterdam Nieuw-West (Meer en Vaart).
