OSTEOPATHY

Osteopathy is a well-established system of diagnosis and treatment, which lays its main emphasis on the structural and functional integrity of the body.

Distinctively, it recognises that much pain and disability stems from abnormalities in the function of the body structure, as well as from damage caused to it by disease.

Osteopaths place much emphasis on the skilful development of palpation (feeling) techniques. They will use "hands-on" and manipulative methods to detect and correct faults in your body mechanics. They will also consider factors that may precipitate the condition in the future, and advise you accordingly.

Some people mistakenly think that Osteopathy and Physiotherapy are rival therapies which do not work well together. On the contrary, both play important roles in the recovery and prevention of pain, injury and disease.

How Can Osteopathy Help Me?

Osteopathy can be used to treat a wide variety of pains. Back pain is one of the most common problems, and there are many other problems for which osteopathy can be effective including :-

• headaches
• arthritis and problems with the peripheral joints
• back and neck pain
• shoulder and arm problems
• pelvis, hip and leg problems
• general, acute & chronic backache, back pain (not arising from injury or accident)
• headache /migraine prevention
• postural problems seen in pregnancy
• musculo-skeletal work-related injuries
• driving-related postural problems
• other postural problems
• lifestyle advice such as bending and lifting
• sports injuries ​

Are there conditions we've not mentioned? Please contact us for more information.

What happens when you see one of our osteopaths?

You will be asked about the history and nature of the complaint that you have come with. You are likely to be asked the following type of questions:

• about how long you have had the problem,
• how do you think it may have started,
• what factors can you think of that  may be stopping it getting better,
• what makes it worse and what relieves the symptoms.
• The impact that it is having on your daily activities, including your home, social and work life.

You are also likely to be asked about

• past history of similar problems
• any other joint or muscular problems
• past medical problems such as injuries, accidents, operations and illness
• any test or investigations, hospitalizations that you have had
• any medication that you might be taking
• any illnesses that have affected any blood relatives.
• questions relating to your general health such as the effects of stress, dietary intake and impact that your lifestyle on your health.

You will then be examined, during which you may be asked to undress down  to your underwear. Your posture and general flexibility will be assessed. This may take the form of standing postures and seated postures. The flexibility level of your spine and other joints will be assessed. Depending on the problem, other specific testing may be carried out for example to test the nervous system in your leg if you had back pain and pain radiating onto your leg. On occasions other testing procedures may be required. For example, x-rays, scans or blood tests may sometimes be arranged.

Once the history and examination has been completed and a diagnosis has been made, our osteopaths can then decide as to whether osteopathic treatment is appropriate and if so, what osteopathic approach might be best. On occasion, a referral to another health professional may be deemed to be in your best interest.

What Happens During A Treatment Session?

There are many different types of osteopathic techniques that may be used. Your osteopath will choose from a range of techniques, including:-

• soft tissue massage for muscles and connective tissues (some with patient participant)
• articulation techniques to improve stiffness in the joints (some with patient participants)
• manipulation to improve the range of motion of joints
• cranial techniques, a gentle approach to release mechanical disturbance around the joints of the skull and throughout the body
• exercises to rehabilitate and re-educate postural imbalances
• advice about environmental factors that disadvantage the body, and how to avoid them!

What can I expect for treatment from an osteopath?

Often people feel relaxed and sometimes sleepy during and after a treatment session. Many notice an improvement in their symptoms within a few days of being treated. The amount of improvement varies from person to person and can be affected by factors such as the length of time they have had the problem, the severity of the problems, their general level of health, other health problems that they may have may affect their recovery.  Our osteopaths will discuss with you your likely rate of improvement during the session.

Sometimes after the first treatment session, some patients may feel slight soreness, but will usually disappear in a day or two. However as the underlying problem improves, soreness is not normally experienced.

What are the qualifications, training and education and codes of practice for an osteopath?

The osteopaths at the Centre are highly skilled and qualified. All our osteopaths have undergone a four year full-time training in Osteopathy  are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), to whose code of ethics and conduct they adhere. Only practitioners registered with GOsC may practice as osteopaths in the UK.

Where Can I learn More?

Please visit The General Osteopath Council. This address also gives you access to the Osteopathic Information Service, a more accessible news & advice site for the public.

Our osteopaths:-
Jane Morris
Hasnain Chandoo
Vida Amarteifio
Anthony McEwan



To book an appointment with one of our osteopaths please click here.

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Call us on 01480 455 221 or
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Osteopathy  |  Cranial Osteopathy  |  Physiotherapy  |  Acupuncture  |  Chiropody  |  Alexander Technique  |  Pilates