What is Osteopathy?

OSTEOPATHY is a complete system of diagnosis and treatment. As Osteopaths, we use our hands to detect the physical state or quality of the body's tissues, and relate it to the jobs or functions those parts carry out.

In our treatment we seek to alleviate any restriction or tension we find by encouraging better movement, or adjusting, the tissues and joints of the body.

By removing restriction and tension in the body, Osteopathic treatment creates the best environment for our bodies to repair and maintain themselves - encouraging the self-healing process of HOMEOSTASIS

'The ability or tendency of an organism or cell to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes'.

Our body's own healing mechanisms are affected by a variety of factors, for better or worse:
. LIFESTYLE . DIET . EXERCISE . WORK HABITS . GENETICS . STRESS LEVELS . INFECTIONS . MEDICAL DISEASE .

Osteopaths have a unique understanding of your problem. We spend time asking questions about your problem, its development and your general health. We take into account all the factors affecting you at a given time. We accept that all the systems of your body work together and problems in one area can lead to another elsewhere. We apply that knowledge to your treatment. See more about our regulation and training>>

Regulation in the UK

Osteopathy has come a long way since its inception during the American Civil War. Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917), our founder developed Osteopathic principles out of a struggle to care for his family's health with the tools available to him through orthodox medicine. He spent years developing the concepts and principles of Osteopathic medicine.

In 1993 the Osteopaths Act was passed through parliament to protect our title and regulate practice. It ensures that anyone practicing as an Osteopath is properly insured, trained, and professional in their conduct.

The General Osteopathic Council (rather like the General Medical Council for doctors) is responsible for regulating the profession and anyone in pertaining to osteopathic practice HAS to be registered with them, by law: www.osteopathy.org.uk

Osteopaths train for their degree for at least 4 years full-time - including anatomy, physiology, Osteopathic principles and techniques, and medicine: the study of disease and how it affects us.

Osteopaths select the tools best for the job, best for that patient.

Some techniques are NOT SUITABLE for certain patients and may rarely cause ill-effects, these are EXCLUDED on the basis of the information gained from your detailed case history.

It is, therefore, important to REVEAL ALL DETAILS of your prior history.

If you have any further queries or concerns, please contact the practice.

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Why do I need it?

Restriction of movement in your body's tissues and joints can upset your body's self-healing ability & give rise to SYMPTOMS: for example aches and pains, sciatica, problems with circulation or digestion, finding it difficult to relax. These symptoms can affect anyone: adults, children and babies. See Benefits>>

These restrictions can occur in any tissue or joint of the body, as a result of TRAUMA - car accident, psychological trauma, birth trauma (babies/children & their mother); OVERSTRAIN or repetitive actions; SURGERY , INJURY, or ILLNESS recent or in the past.

Our particular combination of hands-on treatment, anatomical and medical knowledge, lifestyle analysis and advice gives us a unique perspective that allows us to consider your body as a complex, integrated whole. This give us the opportunity to help seemingly difficult conditions.

Men, women, babies, children and the elderly are all suitable for osteopathic treatment. Each treatment is adapted to you as an individual, & the most appropriate methods of treatment are selected for each patient.

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What Should I expect?

How long will it take?

Your first visit is longer than follow-up appointments as a FULL CASE HISTORY will be taken on a one-to-one basis. This allows ALL ASPECTS of your health background to be taken into consideration.

Allow up to an hour for this appointment, and half an hour for follow-up sessions.

Will I need to bring anything with me?

Please bring a list of all your medication and if your medical past is complicated, perhaps write it down so you won't forget anything.

What should I wear?

So that all relevant areas of your problem are properly diagnosed, it may be necessary to remove some of your clothing, especially for the initial examination.

Please ask us if you have any concerns about this, or bring some shorts or a swimming costume to wear.

What will happen?

During examination, the osteopath will initiate a series of normal movements in various parts of the body and feel the quality of motion with their hands.

Osteopaths accept that all areas of the body are inter-related, and that problems in one area can lead to difficulties elsewhere.

So for instance, your neck problem could be related to a lower back problem you didn't know about, and we will need to take a look.

Does it hurt?

We aim to keep your treatment as painless as possible. Often patients are in pain when they attend, and may experience some discomfort. Pain is NOT however, an essential part of treatment - and we will avoid pain where we can.

Osteopathic treatment should be a pleasant experience, but sometimes for treatment to be effective you may be uncomfortable for short periods.

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