O S T E O P A T H Y

Osteopathy

Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a medical healthcare profession that utilises a patient-focused, physical approach to restoring, maintaining and promoting physical and psychosocial well-being. Osteopathy focuses on a whole-body approach and applies a variety of techniques to free up joint restrictions, increase spinal and soft tissue flexibility, improve circulation and provide advice and exercises relevant to the individual person and their presenting condition.
(The British Osteopathic Association).

Visceral Osteopathy

Visceral Osteopathy is the treatment of internal organs ( digestive tract, respiratory and reproductive systems) and their ligamentous and facial attachments. The treatment uses the osteopathic philosophy to normalize circulation and blood supply to the organs.

‘By restoring a normal functional relationship between the organs & their neighbouring structures, the osteopath can guide the body from dysfunction towards better health’.
Visceral osteopathic techniques can be applied to the diaphragm, liver, lungs, kidneys, stomach, intestines, bladder and gynaecological organs.

Comparative studies found visceral manipulation beneficial for various disorders

Acute Disorders
• Whiplash
• Seatbelt Injuries
• Chest or Abdominal Sports Injuries

Digestive Disorders
• Bloating and Constipation
• Nausea and Acid Reflux

Women’s and Men’s Health Issues
• Chronic Pelvic Pain
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids and Cysts
• Dysmenorrhea
• Effects of Menopause

Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Somatic-Visceral Interactions
• Chronic Spinal Dysfunction
• Headaches and Migraines
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Peripheral Joint Pain
• Sciatica

Pain Related to
• Post-operative Scar Tissue
• Post-infection Scar Tissue

Pediatric Issues
• Constipation and Gastritis
• Persistent Vomiting
• Infant C

Sports Injuries

The prime purpose of sports massage therapy is to help alleviate the stress and tension which builds up in the body’s soft tissues during physical activity. Where minor injuries and lesions occur, due to overexertion and/or overuse, massage can break them down quickly and effectively. Above all, it can help prevent those niggling injuries that so often get in the way of performance and achievement, whether one is an athlete, ardent keep-fitter or a once a week jogger.

This treatment is not just for the sports person: anyone can benefit from sports massage, including people in physically demanding jobs and those not quite so obvious (occupational, emotional and postural stress may produce many similar characteristics to sports injuries).

Sports massage tends to be deeper and more intense. It is based on the various elements of Swedish massage and often incorporates a combination of other techniques involving stretching, compression, friction, toning, and trigger point response techniques similar to Acupressure and Shiatsu. The skilled therapist brings together this blend of techniques, knowledge and advice during treatment, to work effectively with the client to bring about optimum performance and to provide injury-free training and minimise post-event injuries.

Osteopathy and Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body changes to accommodate the increasing size and weight of the uterus and osteopathic treatment can help to relieve aches and pains as the mother’s body tries to accommodate the growing baby. This can display as problems such as lower back pain, sciatica, hip and pelvic pain, neck and shoulder tension, nausea, indigestion, heartburn, symphysis pubis dysfunction, post-natal coccyx pain. Advice and exercises are also given as pregnancy involve considerable changes to posture.

Cranial Osteopathy

Osteopathic treatment using the cranial approach is gentle, safe and effective for babies and children. The Osteopath encourages the release of tension and stresses in the body and the head that might have been caused as they pass down the birth canal. This is done with very specific, skilled, light pressure applied where necessary to assist the natural ability of the body to release stresses and tensions.

What can cranial osteopaths treat?

Cranial osteopathy is offered to babies to help overcome the powerful process of birth as they pass down the birth canal. Birth strains from labour, forceps and ventouse assisted deliveries often cause compression of the skull in a baby or child. This can manifest as problems such as feeding difficulties, sleep disturbances, irritable babies with colic and reflux, glue ear and unusual head shape. Osteopathic treatment can be of great benefit in helping premature babies; both during their early and most vulnerable time, and as they grow later on. A baby is never too young to be treated and cranial osteopathy can help children form any age group from birth to adolescence.

Medical Acupuncture

Western medical acupuncture is a therapeutic modality involving the insertion of fine needles; it is an adaptation of Chinese acupuncture using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, and the principles of evidence-based medicine. While Western medical acupuncture has evolved from Chinese acupuncture, its practitioners no longer adhere to concepts such as Yin/Yang and circulation of qi, and regard acupuncture as part of conventional medicine rather than a complete “alternative medical system”. It acts mainly by stimulating the nervous system, and its known modes of action include local antidromic axon reflexes, segmental and extra segmental neuromodulation, and other central nervous system effects. Western medical acupuncture is principally used by conventional healthcare practitioners, most commonly in primary care. It is mainly used to treat musculoskeletal pain, including myofascial trigger point pain. It is also effective for postoperative pain and nausea.

Naturopathy

“Naturopathy or naturopathic medicine is a system of treatment and healthcare that supports the body’s innate ability to heal itself through nutrition, exercise and lifestyle advice. It is a holistic system which believes that good health is not the same as the absence of disease and that promoting a general state of wellbeing through dietary principles, lifestyle, exercise and other techniques is an effective way to manage our physiological systems. Naturopathy may be beneficial for a wide range of acute or chronic conditions as well as a general practice for living well. It draws on a wide range of therapeutic disciplines – known as “modalities” – and may help to avoid surgery and excessive medication. A naturopath will instead use gentle techniques to seek to bring a patient back to his or her state of health.” (British College of Osteopathic Medicine)

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