Osteopathy is a system of medicine, which treats the whole person and not just the symptomatic area. It was founded by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still in 1874. Still believed that the body is self healing and an uninterrupted nerve and blood supply to all the body's tissues is essential for normal functioning, to prevent disease.
Body Functioning
The osteopath’s main focus is to improve the normal functioning of the spine as this is essential in the maintenance of health. The spinal cord can be described as an extension of the brain, which controls all the functions of the body, not only the muscles but all the organs, blood vessels and glands.
Spinal restrictions can cause interruption to the nerve signals going to and from the cord. By treating these restrictions the health of the body can be restored.
Health & Disease
Osteopaths do not consider the spine to be the only factor in health and disease. Genetic, developmental, dietary, environmental and psychological factors can all play a part in causing disease.
Osteopathy places main emphasis upon the diagnosis and treatment of structural and mechanical imbalance of the body and regards manipulative therapy as one of the most important factors in the prevention of disease.
Osteopaths also use other methods of natural healing. We can offer advice on good posture and self help, such as exercises and diet, to prevent the pain recurring and maintain good health.
What do Osteopaths Treat?
Although musculo-skeletal injuries are the most commonly seen, the following problems frequently respond well to Osteopathic treatment:
Lumbago |
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Neck & Shoulder Tension |
Sciatica |
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Headache & Migraine |
Disc Injuries |
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Menstrual Disorders |
Neuritis |
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Discomfort in Pregnancy |
Knee & Hip Pain |
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Respiratory Conditions |
Frozen Shoulder |
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Digestive Disorders |
Tennis Elbow |
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Constipation |
Cranial Osteopathy can also help a wide variety of problems including Sinusitis, Tinnitus, Tension, Anxiety and M.E.
Osteopathic Treatment
Whilst recognising the importance of the spine in the maintenance of health and treatment of disease the practice of Osteopathy is now much wider than the mere examination and treatment of the spine.
Most people first consult an osteopath because of back trouble but Osteopathic Manipulation is also of great value in the treatment of musculo-skeletal conditions anywhere in the body. Emphasis is placed on the structural integrity of the whole body.
Pain and Stiffness
This can be due to a mechanical strain or sprain, of sudden onset or from long term repetitive movement. The body has an amazing ability to be able to compensate and adapt to the stresses applied to it, however, pain is experienced when the body is no longer able to compensate. Pain is a warning signal to prevent further damage. Inflammation in the surrounding tissues causes stiffness, which can be eased using gentle techniques to improve tissue drainage.
Who Would Benefit?
Most people would benefit from Osteopathic
treatment at some time during their life. Patients may be treated for health problems from the trauma of birth to the arthritis of elderly people.
Babies and children can also benefit from these more gentle techniques, helping things such as colic, ear infections, sleeping and feeding difficulties.
Treatment is focused on treating the person and not just the symptoms. Osteopathy guides your body to enable your natural healing energies to bring you to better balance, harmony and health.
Visiting an Osteopath
When you visit an osteopath for the first time a thorough case history will be taken and you will be given an examination.
As in all healing arts, the prerequisite of successful treatment is accurate diagnosis. Patients will normally be expected to undress down to their underwear in order to complete a detailed examination of posture and to perform a simple series of movements in order to determine the cause of the presenting problem.
In some cases it may be necessary to undertake additional investigations such as x-ray or blood tests in order to arrive at a full diagnosis and a suitable treatment plan for you.
Osteopathy is patient centred so that each treatment is tailored to you as an individual. Treatment emphasis is placed on adjusting the whole body and not just the symptomatic part. It is designed to alleviate the current problem and to help prevent recurrences.