Osteopathic treatment aims to restore normal body structure and function using a variety of osteopathic manipulations, which can be on a micro level as with Cranial osteopathy of larger as with a more mechanical approach. Poor structure of the body from bad posture, injury or strain will affect the how the body functions and how it has had to adapt itself.

Good structure means healthy and normal function.

Patients often find as their symptoms improve their health improves, this may result in some continued care. These visits can help to spot areas of the body that are getting into difficulty before symptoms and resolve new problems before they become an issue. Periodic treatment can avoid any further acute episodes of pain and quick recovery from problems.

Don’t panic!. Firstly, breath slowly, try and find a comfortable position, get some help if you are unable to move. Apply an ice pack to the painful area, cover the skin with a tea towel first to protect from ice burn. Apply the cold for 5 minutes at a time with a break of around 2 minutes between each application. three applications are usually adequate to ease the acute pain. You may need to ring the doctor to discuss pain relief. Ring us and discuss what may be the problem and how we may be able to help quickly with any of the osteopaths.

Osteopaths see a wide variety of conditions in practice. but it is your own body that does the treating or healing. The osteopaths aim is to get your body into the best health to be able to do that, which may include exercise and nutrition as well. 

We may see people who have problems with digestion, anxiety and posture. We treat all ages from newborn, older babies, toddlers, older children, pregnant women, sports people whether elite or just starting out, working professionals, the elderly and anyone in between.

Separating each spinal bone, or vertebra, is a special type of soft tissue called a disc. Its fibrous outer ring contains a jelly-like material, and the soft centre serves as a central pivot for spinal movement. The disc doesn’t actually slip due to the attachment to the vertebrae above and below. However, it can bulge (like a tyre), tear, herniate, prolapse and dehydrate. A detailed osteopathic examination can help determine if the discs in the spine are responsible for your pain.

These do happen at times and may be as a result of the body reacting to the stimulus towards health it has been given, or as a result of the body being unable to continue the process of adaptation that the treatment has enabled it to start. Your practitioner will be able to advise you.

Cranial osteopathy is a part of Osteopathy and for its safe and effective application it depends on a deep understanding of Osteopathic principles and a thorough and continuing study of anatomy. Requiring 4-5 years of basic training on a Masters degree course and continuing learning in the Cranial aspect.

Craniosacral therapy was founded by an Osteopath, John Upledger. Osteopaths in the USA have the same training as medical doctors and he wanted to make it more available by teaching non-osteopaths. He introduced various other concepts such as energy cysts.  It can be studied on a short course with no degree.

While craniosacral therapy can be helpful in many cases, it is not a comprehensive therapy in its own right. 

It is best to find your individual practitioner on the basis of how they understand you and  your needs

For example a physiotherapist looking at a knee problem will tend to treat the knee and surrounding tissues. They may use various pieces of equipment, massage and provide an exercise routine. They are often the 1st line of approach as treatment is available on the NHS.  

If you go to an Osteopath with a knee problem, as well as looking at the local area, the osteopath will look at the structural mechanics throughout the body to understand how and why the knee problem has occurred and is being maintained. You may find that the Osteopath treats your, foot, pelvis, low back, rib cage, neck to de-stress, the whole body, and change the relationship with the knee and produce a resolution and may resolve longer-term problems in other areas.

Physiotherapists and Osteopath often have very complementary roles with the same patient and communication is key to working with the patient for the best outcome.

People of all ages attend the practices for a wide range of problems. Our oldest patient being 94 and our youngest just 4 days old.

Each phase of life provides different challenges and needs and it is with great pleasure that we have been able to help people of all age groups improve their potential to live their lives to the best health and function.