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OSTEOPATHY

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Osteopathy
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Osteopathy can help reduce your pain, improve your general health, keep you mobile or help you gain a sporting edge. 

 

It can be used to treat the whole body, not just backs and necks, with which it’s most commonly associated. Based on the principle that our wellbeing depends on the nervous system, skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues all working together. 

 

Using a range of hands-on techniques, osteopathy is suitable for people of all ages. Combined with advice on aspects of your lifestyle and ways of moving, osteopathy can restore the structural and functional integrity of your body, helping you to manage pain more effectively and to keep mobile, feel and function better. 

Conditions which respond well to this treatment 

 
  • Headaches and migraines coming from the neck and surrounding tissues

  • Arthritis and problems with peripheral joints

  • Neck and back pain

 

  • Shoulder and arm problems

  • Pelvis, hip and leg problems

  • General, acute and chronic back pain (not arising from accident or injury)

  • Postural problems

  • Work-related injuries repetitive strain injuries

  • Pain related to bending and lifting

  • Sports Injuries

Common causes of pain

Pain is a warning sign that something is not right with your body and is controlled by the complex nervous system. Pain can be experienced as a result of an accident, surgery, poor movement, or sometimes for emotional reasons. Stress both home and work. Overuse DIY, gardening etc, using movement patterns and activities repetitively that we are not use to doing. Joint stiffening caused by age and wear and tear. Ongoing postural strain, repetitive movements, or acute injuries sporting or otherwise creating damage to ligaments, muscles and other tissues etc.

What should I expect from a treatment?

Once a full assessment of the history and nature of your condition has been done, treatment is hands-on but gentle. Involving a combination of techniques, depending on your needs, it may include:

  • Soft tissue massage that can relieve pain, decrease tension in muscles, and give you the freedom to adopt a more natural, free posture.

  • Articulation and mobilisation to improve the function and range of movement in your joints.

  • Relaxation that enables the nervous system to calm, allowing you to breathe more slowly and deeply.

  • Tailored exercise / rehabilitation programmes for you to do at home, that can further enhance your progress and give you the ability to take control of your problem.

  • Advice about aspects of your lifestyle or movement which may be helpful in allowing you to increase your potential and experience less pain.

Cranial
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CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY

Cranial osteopathy is a very safe, gentle and non-invasive form of osteopathy that can be used alone or as with other approaches.

Sometimes called cranio-sacral therapy, cranial osteopathy is a hands-on, holistic form of healing that recognises how problems in one area of the body will have affect other areas of the body. It can be used in a wide range of conditions and is suitable for people of all ages, including babies and young children.

Cranial therapists believe that each of us has a very small rhythmical motion in all of our tissues that is called ‘The Involuntary Mechanism’.

When the body tissues are placed under stress
or trauma, this rhythm becomes disrupted.
These disruptions cause the body to try to adapt and compensate, but it can eventually break down, and symptoms may arise - often with little apparent cause. It’s important to find the root cause so that can be addressed in a session.

The aim is to encourage the release of stresses and tensions throughout the body, to promote well-being and relaxation.

Conditions which respond well to this treatment

  • Neck and back pain

  • Sleeping problems

  • Headaches and migraines

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Some restless and crying babies

  • Stress and general feeling of tension

  • Trauma such as a difficult birth
     

  • Whiplash injury

  • Emotional shock.

  • New parents often seek cranial osteopathy for babies who appear irritable or are persistently crying.

Common causes of pain

• Young babies irritable and unsettled and persistently crying due to ‘stress and tension’ within the body

• Similarly any condition where there needs to be physical and mental relaxation

What should I expect from a treatment?

As with conventional osteopathy, a full case history will be taken, including past medical conditions, previous injuries and illnesses, as well as a full assessment of the nature of your condition.

Cranial osteopathy is hands-on, very gentle and relaxing. It usually involves you lying down while the osteopath holds different parts of your body. It often starts with the osteopath holding your head.

With a wide range of treatment methods available, your practitioner will work with you to find the most appropriate methods to use.

During a session, you may experience some pressure or warmth and will usually feel the tension reduce. Treatment is very gentle and often relaxing. Following a cranial treatment, you may experience a general increase in well-being as other minor ailments benefit from having less tension in the body.

Physiotherapy
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PHYSIOTHERAPY

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Physiotherapy can enable you to stay in work longer and remain independent for as long as possible by help to manage pain and prevent disease, at any age or time of life.

Using movement and exercise, hands-on treatment, education and advice, physiotherapists to help people affected by injury, illness or disability. By focusing on the whole body to help muscles and bones work to their full potential, physiotherapy can provide pain relief and restore normal movement.

By taking into account your general lifestyle and involving you in your care through education, awareness, empowerment and participation you will work together with your physiotherapist to realise the benefits of this science-based healthcare.

Conditions which respond well to this treatment

  • Neck and back pain

  • Headaches

  • Shoulder pains

  • ​Hip and pelvic problems

  • Knee pain

  • Ankle and foot pains

  • Sports injuries

  • Falls

  • Soft tissue injuries after car crashes

  • Sedentary and other work - related injuries

  • Postural fatigue

  • Chronic pain syndromes

  • Post surgical rehabilitation

 

Common causes of pain

Pain is a warning sign that something is not right with your body and is controlled by the complex nervous system. Pain can be experienced as a result of an accident, surgery, poor movement, or sometimes for emotional reasons. Stress both home and work.

Overuse DIY, gardening etc, using movement patterns and activities repetitively that we are not use to doing. Joint stiffening caused by age and wear and tear. Ongoing postural strain, repetitive movements, or acute injuries sporting of otherwise creating damage to ligaments, muscles and other tissues etc.

What should I expect from a treatment?

Once a full assessment of the history and nature of your condition has been done, your treatment may include:

• Electrical treatments


• Exercise programmes


• Mobilisation of joints

 

• Manipulation


• Muscle balancing techniques

 

• Rehabilitation

 

• Re-education

 

• Acupuncture

Acupunctue
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ACUPUNCTURE

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Acupuncture works to help maintain your body’s equilibrium. It involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body to regulate the flow of ‘qi’, your body’s vital energy. This ‘Qi moves through a series of channels in the body.

For a number of lifestyle and environmental reasons, qi can become disturbed, depleted or blocked, which can result in some symptoms of pain and illness. There are also other adjunctive techniques are a way to restore the energy balance.

Treatment is aimed at the root of your condition as well as your main symptoms. This approach helps to resolve your problem and enhancing your feeling of wellbeing.

This ancient system of healing originated in China and other Eastern countries, along with other disciplines such as Chinese Herbal medicine and the ancient practice of cultivating vital life-force through various techniques called Qi Gong.

Conditions which respond well to this treatment

Acupuncture can be used for specific conditions such as:

  • Headaches

  • Lower back pain

  • Neck pain

  • Temporomandibular and osteoarthritis pain in the knee in the short term

  • As well to improve well-being and aid mood and relaxation

The British Acupuncture Council has produced a fabulous page on their website with information about what acupuncture can treat. They’ve also given details about the research that has been carried out into each condition. The list is far too long to replicate so click here to find out whether acupuncture has a track record with your own problem.

Common causes of pain

 

There are numerous lifestyle and environmental reasons in life that can cause pain. This can result in qi can become disturbed, depleted or blocked. When this happens is can result in symptoms of pain and illness.

 

Chronic conditions where pain, tension, stress
or even low mood or feelings of anxiety are components can be helped by promoting relaxation and enhancing feelings of well-being.

What should I expect from a treatment?

 

Once a full assessment of the history and nature of your condition has been done, your treatment will involve fine needles being inserted into particular acupuncture points just under the skin. Response to acupuncture varies from person to person but as a general rule some change is usually experienced within five treatments. Occasional ongoing treatment can then help to maintain good health and wellbeing.

Acupuncture Clinic
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COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC

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Our Community Acupuncture Clinic for Stress and Anxiety

Our community acupuncture treatments work on a multi-chair system. By this, we mean that your acupuncturist will be treating  more than one person at a time. The acupuncturist uses a large room with three chairs, screened off from each other. This means that the acupuncturists are able to move from one patient to another without leaving anyone unattended. 

 

This is not a new idea, visit any hospital and most clinics through the world and the multi-chair system is what you will experience. After all, health care would be extremely expensive if you had to pay for every minute of your doctor’s time, as she or he sat by your bed giving you their undivided attention while you both waited for an antibiotic to work!

 

The multi-chair style is a system perfectly suited to acupuncture because acupuncture requires a reasonably short period of time with a clinician followed by a longer period whilst you relax with the needles in, allowing them to do their work. You will be asked to fill out a medical questionnaire /intake form prior to your visit so that the acupuncturist can have as much information prior to your visit. 

In the multi-chair treatment model, while you relax with your needles in, the next person receives the one-to-one attention of your acupuncturist. This continues with 20-minute consultations until it is time for your treatment to come to an end (this is up to 1 hour). Just prior to this, your acupuncturist will return to complete the treatment. If at any time you need something your acupuncturist is only a few meters away.

 

We ask that patient eat before having treatment & to bring a water bottle with them.

 

We also ask all patients who attend to respect the confidentiality of everyone else in the room when they leave.

 

We have decided to try this for people with stress and anxiety in the first instance. 

Treatment protocols for stress relief via auricular acupuncture have

been used by the US army to administer quick, efficient and effective

treatment for the symptoms of trauma & stress.

 

Up to 5 tiny auricular needles are placed on set points in each ear. These

set points calm the nervous system & our major internal organs. Once in

place, a state of deep relaxation occurs allowing the body to recuperate

from the stresses of everyday life. 

There are numerous benefits of Multi -chair ear acupuncture these include:

 

  • No clothes need to be removed

  • Quick needle insertion taking 5mins or less

  • Quick consultation after submission of initial health questionnaire.

 

 

·      This efficient use of your clinician’s time means that the cost of your treatment can be divided by the number of people receiving treatment, meaning you pay less, £40 instead of £58. 

·      Many patients find it supportive and comforting to have other people around and like the energy this gives to a shared healing space.

NB This is for the treatment of stress/anxiety only for those who do not wish to pay for a one to one acupuncture session.

 

All other ailments require one to one acupuncture sessions.

Podiatry
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PODIATY

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Despite a lot of confusion, there is no difference between Chiropodists and Podiatrists, it’s just that Chiropodist is an older term and other English speaking countries use the term Podiatrist. They specialise in treating conditions of the foot and leg. Foot disorders can affect people of all ages and may be associated with health problems such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or poor circulation.

 

Chiropodists and podiatrists must be registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council.

Conditions which respond well to this treatment

  • Calluses and corns

  • Nail care management including nail surgery

  • Verruca care

  • Sports injury

  • Footwear advice and modification

  • Rheumatology

  • Diabetic foot problems

  • Biomechanics

  • Childhood mechanical foot problems

  • Orthotictherapy

  • Advice on proper care of the feet and prevention of problems

Common causes of pain

 

Your feet are the foundation to your body so any problems or potential problems may hinder simple walking, sporting activity and cause pain in the feet, lower back, hips or knees.

 

Problems with your foot whether it be due to the individual mechanics or whether there is an underlying condition such as Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause pain.

​Poor foot health - so nails too long or poorly cut. Nails become harder and thicker as people become older.

Similarly the skin on the soles of their feet becomes thicker and calluses can develop.

 

Shoes rubbing on part of the foot can causes painful corns.

What should I expect from a treatment?

 

Once a full assessment of the history and nature of your condition has been done, your treatment may include:

 

  • Stretching and strengthening exercises

  • Specific shoe and trainer recommendations

  • Mobilisation techniques

  • Acupuncture and steroid injections for pain relief Laser therapy

  • Off-the-shelf orthoses

  • Prescription / custom made orthoses

Sports Therapy
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SPORTS THERAPY

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Sports Therapy is specifically concerned with the prevention of injury and the rehabilitation of existing issues in order that they can return to optimum levels of functional, occupational and sports specific fitness, regardless of age and ability.

 

It utilises the principles of sport and exercise science, incorporating physiological and pathological processes to prepare the patient for training, competition and work.

Conditions which respond well to this treatment

 

  • Sports injuries

  • Neck and back pain​

  • Headaches and migraines caused by the neck​

  • Shoulder pains

  • Hip and pelvic problems

  • Knee pain​

  • Ankle and foot pains including plantar fasciitis

  • Core & pelvic stability dysfunctions, including pelvic floor rehab

  • Muscular & tendon conditions.

  • Soft tissue injuries after car crashes​

  • Sedentary and other work - related injuries

Common causes of pain

Pain is a warning sign that something is not right with your body and is controlled by the complex nervous system. Pain can be experienced as a result of an accident, surgery, poor movement, or sometimes for emotional reasons. Stress both home and work.

 

Acute sporting injuries, overuse injuries from sports or from DIY, gardening etc, using movement patterns and activities repetitively that we are not use to doing. Joint stiffening caused by age and wear and tear. 

What should I expect from a treatment?

 

Once a full assessment of the history and nature of your condition has been done, your treatment may include:

• Electrical treatments


• Exercise programmes


• Mobilisation of joints

 

• Manipulation


• Muscle balancing techniques

 

• Rehabilitation

 

• Re-education

Alexander technique
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ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE

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The Alexander Technique offers a method of mental and physical re-education to reduce habitual and unnecessary tension in all activity, by using self management techniques It can be an effective way to address the fundamental causes of many medical conditions, promote a sense of wellbeing, achieve better respiratory function and greater functional reach in elderly women. People of all ages and lifestyles have used the Technique to improve the quality of their lives. performing artists and athletes use the Alexander Technique to improve their performance while reducing the risk of injury.

Qualified teachers must complete a three year full time course and are members of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique.

Conditions which respond well to this treatment

  • Better balance in the elderly

  • Poor posture

  • Persistent lower back pain

 

  • Persistent mechanical neck pain

Common causes of pain

Excess tension in your body can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms and pain and it can interfere with your ability to perform activities well.

What should I expect from a treatment?

The teacher will observe your movements and show you how to move, sit, lie down and stand with better balance and less strain. They’ll use their hands to gently guide you in your movements, help you maintain a better relationship between your head, neck and spine, and to release muscle tension.

K-Laser
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K LASER THERAPY

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K Laser therapy grade IV therapeutic laser and uses selected wavelengths of light to stimulate key molecules in human tissues. Decades of medical research and have identified the wavelengths, energy levels and frequencies that positively stimulate cellular metabolism, accelerating and enhancing the body’s own healing and reparative abilities.

K laser penetrates deep into the body’s soft tissues and speeds up cell metabolism by increasing blood flow, nutrients absorption, cell division and excretion of waste products. As a result the skin, tendons, ligaments and muscles are repaired faster with reduced inflammation, scarring and pain.

The therapeutic effects are:

  • Anti-inflammatory

  • Pain relieving effects Enhanced local circulation

  • Stimulation of the immune system

  • Improved local nerve function

  • Faster tissue repair with minimal scarring in wounds, burns, injuries and post-surgery

There are minimal side effects, occasionally the area treated may feel sore for a day or so as the healing response is more active after treatment.

Conditions which respond well to this treatment

  • Neck shoulder and back pain

  • Tendinopathies

  • Elbow pain such as tennis elbow

  • Hip and pelvic problems

  • Knee pain

  • Ankle and foot pains including plantar fasciitis

  • Ligament strains

  • Muscle strains

  • Osteo-arthritis

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Sports injuries

  • Soft tissue injuries after car crashes

  • Sedentary and other work-related injuries

  • Trigeminals neuralgia

  • Chronic pain syndromes such as Fibromyalgia

  • Post-surgical rehabilitation

  • Fungal nail infections

  • Verrucaes

  • Oedema and congestion

K laser is suitable for any age group, any skin tone and body size. It can be used from athletes to pregnant women, from children to the older age group. The K laser protocols can be tailored to the specific individual.

What should I expect from a treatment?

K laser therapy is a none invasive treatment. Before having laser therapy, you will need an assessment and a definitive diagnosis from one of our practitioners to investigate whether the laser treatment will be suitable and to ensure there is no reason for you not to have treatment.

 

Once you have been assessed as suitable and an appointment booked you will be asked to wear specific goggles to protect our eyes whilst the laser treatment is carried out.

 

You may feel a warm sensation whilst the treatment is carried out. You may also be asked to perform specific movements whilst the treatment is being performed.

The laser treatment will usually be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment such as physical therapy such as osteopathy or physiotherapy. However if you are receiving treatment using laser therapy from your podiatrist you may not need further treatment.

**Please note that this therapy is NOT bookable on line, you will need to call to book an appointment**

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