Osteopathy

What is osteopathy?

Osteopathy is one of the most effective, safe and recognised treatments for a great number of health problems. It studies the relationship between how your body is actually working and how well your body could be working. Osteopathy is really just common sense. An osteopath works with their hands on the human body to relieve strains, rebalancing interconnections between different areas of the body, so improving circulation and how well that part of the body works. This leads naturally to an increase in vitality, allowing healing and relief to follow.

Osteopathy is also extraordinarily safe, with a risk of serious complications to treatment being extremely low.

Osteopathy looks at the causes of a problem which makes it very effective at resolving aches, pains and injuries. An osteopath aims at stopping a problem or injury from recurring by resolving the reasons that allowed it to occur in the first place.

Who can use an osteopath?

What is pain?

Pain is your body's way of telling you that something is wrong. It is often caused by the swelling of tissue, which creates pressure on nerves and leads to discomfort. Pain is a useful mechanism to alert you to a problem and stops you from damaging your body further. It should always, therefore, be taken seriously. Pain can affect many areas of the body, but particularly the lower back, head, neck, joints and legs bring people to the osteopath. It can result from injuries and arthritis, and can also manifest itself in the form of rheumatic pain and period pain. One of the main purposes of osteopathy is pain relief and the elimination of the cause of pain.

Osteopathy and the treatment of pain

Osteopaths can diagnose the cause of pain and help to ease it by reducing tissue inflammation. The osteopaths’ treatment methods range from massage of muscles and connective tissues to manipulation and stretching of joints. This helps to reduce muscle spasm, to increase mobility and to create a healthier state in which damaged tissues can heal. Much long-term, recurrent pain is caused by degenerative changes to the body's framework. Nobody can reverse this process of ageing, but your osteopaths' treatment may still ease pain. Pain control is an important part of my treatment I give guidance on simple self-help methods to use at home. The skilled techniques of osteopathy can often allow you a speedy return to normal activity. If you have had a pain for a long time, and other forms of treatment have not helped, osteopathic treatment can be beneficial, although it may require time and patience.

Key points to remember

Osteopaths are skilled health care professionals, and osteopaths deal with pain every day. Six million people suffering from pain are treated by osteopaths each year. Osteopaths can help you with both treatment and advice on self-help. Osteopaths treat acute and chronic pain and osteopaths can help prevent pain from recurring.

Visiting an osteopath

On your first visit with me, and before examination begins, I will discuss and record your medical history in detail. During examination and treatment you will normally be asked to remove some of your outer clothing. Please wear underwear, shorts or a sports bra that you feel comfortable in.
I will then apply a highly developed sense of touch to identify points of weakness or excessive strain throughout the body. Further investigations may include an x-ray or blood test. This will allow a full diagnosis of the problem and will enable me to tailor a treatment plan to your needs.
My aim is to make you feel at ease and tell you what is happening throughout your consultation. You should ask questions if you have any concerns. If further medical treatment is needed I may need to contact your doctor, with your permission.