Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a well established and recognised system of diagnosis and treatment that lays its main emphasis on the structural and functional integrity of the body. Osteopaths use a holistic approach, addressing the whole person to remedy the root cause of pain or symptoms experienced within the body. Our specialist team of highly qualified Osteopaths consider each person as an individual. Utilising gentle techniques they will work with your body to create the perfect conditions to encourage the healing process and restoration of function. Osteopaths assess and treat people of any age from the new born to the elderly and from pregnant women to sports people and elite athletes.
Osteopathy can treat a wide range to symptoms, click below to find out more...
Osteopaths are trained to recognise and treat many causes of pain: we use our hands to discover the underlying causes of pain and use many of the diagnostic procedures used in conventional medical assessment and diagnosis. The main strength of Osteopathy lies in the unique way the patient is assessed from a mechanical, functional and postural stand point and the manual methods of treatment applied to suit the needs of the individual patient.
"In terms of treating my lower back and sciatica, nothing has provided me with as much relief and understanding of my condition than the treatments I have received from Ben. Simply put it has given me my days back." Stephen Jones
Training includes a 4/5 year university degree and more than 1,000 hours of Osteopathic techniques. It is an offence for anyone to call themselves an Osteopath if they are not registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). The British Medical Association’s guidance for general practitioners states that doctors can safely refer patients to Osteopaths. Osteopathy is recommended by National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) for lower back pain. Osteopathy is safe, natural and effective.
Visiting the Osteopath
On your first visit a full medical case history will be taken. So any information you have on medications you may be taking, results of tests, scans or X rays will be useful for the osteopath. Following the case history an examination will be carried out in which you may be asked to perform a few simple movements so the osteopath can assess the problem. You may be asked to remove some clothing for this, so wear under garments you are comfortable in or bring along some shorts. Dependant on the case history other simple medical, orthopaedic or neurological testing may be carried out. The Osteopath will explain this as they proceed with the examination. The osteopath will use palpation, a highly developed sense of touch to assess areas of weakness, tenderness, restriction or strain within your body.
Based on the case history and examination findings the osteopath will make a diagnosis as to what the problem is and discuss it with you. This is to ensure you have a basic understanding of the diagnosis. Treatment will be aimed at helping to restore normal function of the body.
Osteopaths use a variety of techniques to achieve this including techniques to release and relax muscles and joints such as massage techniques, rhythmic joint movement and muscle release techniques. The osteopath may also carry out manipulation using short quick movements to spinal and or other joints of the body. Depending on your problem other techniques may be used.
An initial consultation lasts from 30-40 minutes. Follow up treatments last 30 minutes. Dependant on the complaint and patient, many patients need a course of treatment to resolve the complaint, on average between 3-6 sessions are required.
The Philosophy of Osteopathy – Here you will find a summary of some of the concepts that Osteopathy was built on.
