What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a distinct approach to healthcare based on a well-established system of clinical diagnosis. Osteopaths focus on the structure of the body, using safe, natural manual treatment, which offers a caring approach to the individual needs of each patient at all stages of life from birth to their twilight years

Osteopaths believe that the healthy balance and function of the musculoskeletal framework of the body is essential to whole body health. It is based on the principle that the structure and function of the body are inherently related. If the structure is not balanced and healthy, then the function can be affected.

Osteopaths utilise a range of techniques including physical manipulation, stretching, massage and gentle cranial sacral techniques. Cranial techniques are safe, gentle and non-manipulative and are often used when treating young children and newborn infants.

What to Expect at your 1st Appointment

At the start of your first session, you will be asked lots of questions; why you have come to see me; the history of your pain or condition; your past medical history including surgery, accidents and injuries; lifestyle and medication you may currently or previously have been on. This is very important as it will help me establish the whole picture to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

I will then examine the areas of your body causing discomfort. Sometimes the cause of the problem may be in a different area of the pain, so I may need to examine your whole body. I will explain what I am doing as I go along. If at any point you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

In order to examine you effectively, it may be necessary for me to ask you to remove some clothing as appropriate for the condition, which might mean undressing down to your underwear. If this is a problem for you, make me aware of this and I will discuss whether it would be appropriate for me to treat you whilst wearing shorts and t-shirt. You can ask a friend or relative to accompany you during your treatment if you feel more comfortable.

I normally begin your treatment at the first session, however, very occasionally I may need to refer you for further tests or to see your GP first, but this will be discussed with you. Children should always be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

General, acute and chronic backache, back pain (not arising from injury or accident)
Uncomplicated mechanical neck pain (as opposed to neck pain following injury i.e Whiplash)
Generalised aches and pains
Joint pains including hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis as an adjunct to core OA treatments and exercise
Arthritic pain
Headache arising from the neck (cervicogenic)/ migraine prevention
Frozen shoulder/shoulder and elbow pain/tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) arising from associated musculoskeletal conditions of the back and neck, but not isolated occurrences
Circulatory problems, cramp
Digestion problems
Joint pains
Lumbago
Sciatica
Muscle spasms
Neuralgia
Fibromyalgia
Inability to relax
Rheumatic pain
Minor sports injuries and tensions

If you are unsure if an osteopath is able to help you, please contact me.