Services

Osteopathy

Osteopathic care is based on the understanding that the body works as a unit and everything is interconnected, so when you experience a symptom in one area it’s rarely an isolated issue. For example, headaches may be caused by lower back problems, and those lower back problems may be the result of a hip, knee or foot problem.

Think of it as a row of dominoes – if just one is out of line, they won’t stack neatly or ‘function’ correctly. Line them up perfectly, however, and they’ll fall effortlessly against each other like a well-oiled machine.

Like a row of dominoes, your overall wellbeing depends on your bones, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue functioning smoothly together as a whole.

We recognise that everyone is unique, which is why we don’t just treat the symptom. Rather, we investigate deeper, gaining knowledge of the patient’s unique physical structure so that we can identify and treat the root cause of their problem.

Treatment usually consists of a combination of gentle stretching, soft-tissue releasing techniques and some specific adjustments affecting joints and soft-tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments).

Advice can also be given on self-help treatments.

Alongside the traditional tried and tested Osteopathic techniques, we also use other, more modern methods of treatment such as Ultrasound and Electrotherapy which are particularly effective for patients in acute pain.

The most common conditions that we treat are:

Sports Osteopathy

Sports Osteopathy relates to the treatment and prevention of injuries that arise from sport. With the amateur sportsperson training and competing at increasingly high levels and across all age groups, it isn’t surprising that injuries are becoming more commonplace.

A lot of injuries are down to overuse: not allowing time to recover from a session, playing too hard without warming up, not stretching down after exercise or inappropriate exercise for your age (how many fifty something year olds do we see who have decided to go back to football without improving their fitness level first?).

Osteopathy is now being seen as an important component of the treatment process; the number of sport clubs employing an osteopath has increased significantly in recent years and Osteopaths are regularly being called upon to treat at Olympic level.

Our knowledge of the subtle biomechanics of the body alongside advanced palpatory skills and diagnostic techniques means that Osteopaths are well placed to treat effectively and efficiently.

Sports Osteopathy can help to reduce fatigue, alleviate swelling, reduce muscle tension, promote flexibility, prevent injuries and prepare the athlete for optimal performance. It can be a valuable part in any athlete’s preparation and recovery, preventing injury and helping to achieve optimal performance.

Ultrasound and Electrotherapy can be used as the initial part of the treatment process. Later as you improve will give advice on stretching and return to full performance.

Osteopathy For Children (11 years and older)

Osteopathy’s gentle and non-invasive approach makes it ideal for treating children.

Our osteopaths are highly skilled experts with a great deal of experience in treating children. Using soft tissue techniques along with incredibly gentle articulation and mobilisation of the joints, they will work with your child to identify and treat a range of problems.

Your child is unique, which is why we don’t just treat the symptom – we treat the individual and when it comes to effectively treating an individual, there’s no such thing as ‘one size fits all’. As such, our osteopaths get to know your child’s unique structure so that they can target the problem specifically.

Your osteopath may recommend cranial techniques, which are subtle and gentle and non-manipulative. They are often used when treating young children and newborn infants.

Osteopaths work under the principle that there may be a number of contributing factors to the symptoms and will therefore evaluate not only the area which is producing the symptoms, but also associated areas that may be contributing to the issue, including past trauma, environmental factors and the family’s health history.

Think of it as a ripple effect – when you throw a stone into water, the reverberations (symptoms) continue long after the first splash (cause). Thus, to effectively treat a problem, the cause must be identified and rectified.

From growth development problems to sleeping, behaviour and breathing, our osteopaths will work holistically to create harmony between your child’s structure and function, improving their overall wellbeing and long-term health.

Please Note: We no longer treat children under the age of 11.

If you have younger children or babies, please contact us and we will be happy to give you names of Osteopaths who can help.