Wellbeing Practices
Osteopathy
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy recognises that much of the
pain and disability we suffer stems from abnormalities in our body’s structure
and function.
Osteopaths diagnose and treat problems
with muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints to help the body’s natural healing
ability.
Treatment involves gentle, manual
techniques – easing pain, reducing swelling and improving mobility. Often
this involves manipulation which can result in an audible ‘crack’ which is
simply the sound of gas bubbles popping in the fluid of the joints.
Osteopathy does not involve the use of
drugs or surgery.
What do Osteopaths treat?
Osteopaths treat a wide range of
patients and conditions: Half suffer low back
problems – most back pain results from mechanical
disturbances of the spine – postural strains, joint derangements and spinal disc
injuries.
Osteopathy, with its comprehensive approach to healthcare, is a
particularly successful approach to treatment. Over half are women – many women are working mothers and combining both aspects of their
lives can give rise to problems from the perennial headache to debilitating
musculo-skeletal disorders. Many headaches originate from stiffness and
tension in the neck and osteopathic treatment can often bring relief.
Pregnancy can put a strain on the whole spine and osteopathic treatment can
help the body adapt to the many changes it experiences at this time.
A quarter are in their
forties – many patients are losing fitness at this
stage in their lives and are more prone to injury. Osteopaths consider
the whole person, examining posture and the strength and flexibility of
muscles, ligaments and tendons. Treatment is designed to alleviate
current problems and to help prevent recurrences.
Many are elderly – pain killers are not the only solution for the aches and pains
associated with ageing. For more permanent relief it is necessary to
eliminate the underlying cause of pain, a job for which the Osteopath is
specifically trained. Osteopathy can also help to reduce the pain and
stiffness in the less acute stages of arthritis.
Many problems relate to
work – work, whether at a computer terminal or in
a heavy industry, can give rise to disorders of muscles, tendons and joints,
particularly in the back, hands and arms. Osteopaths treat many
conditions related to the workplace and can give remedial advice and
preventative exercise. You don’t necessarily have to
live with any of these
- Neck pain
- Low/upper back pain
- Hip pain
- Early morning stiffness
- Lack of mobility
- Headaches / migraines
- Problems associated with pregnancy
- Postural related aches & pains
- Sports injuries
