What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy
- is an approach to healthcare that emphasizes the role of the musculoskeletal system in health and disease.
- is all about bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and how they relate to each other. It is a specialised system of examination, treatment and management developed over the last 120 years.
The balanced functioning of our bodies is essential to good health and problems in the body’s framework can upset the circulatory system, nerve supply and lymphatic system to any part of our body and in turn affect our health - not only muscle and joint function, but also the healthy functioning of our internal organs.
Osteopaths
- are expert at finding the cause of the problem and treating it.
- are skilled in getting you better quickly and effectively.
- are hands on.
- have been through a thorough and detailed medical training program that includes much of what a doctor has to learn and uses many of the diagnostic procedures used in conventional medical assessment and diagnosis
For the vast majority of physical problems, osteopathy is a very effective form of treatment. Relief from pain and disability is the primary benefit to patients.
Osteopaths have become well known for treating back problems because they are so good at it, however, many other conditions can be very successfully treated with osteopathy. Osteopathic treatment aimed at improving the mechanics of the body automatically influences such things as blood and nerve supply as well as activity of the internal organs. It is because of this that osteopathy, as well as treating the more obvious headaches, joint problems, sports injuries and postural strains, can also be used in the treatment of less obvious conditions such as asthma, digestive disorders, menstrual problems and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Cranial Osteopathy
It is called 'cranial' because treatment often involves gentle pressure on the head. Although it is a misleading term as the technique can actually be applied to any area of the body.
This is very gentle, and involves an Osteopath "listening" with their hands to subtle tensions and strain patterns in the body. This technique helps the body to correct itself.
In adults it maybe used in the treatment of a variety of problems including headaches and migraines, epilepsy, sinus pain, stress, fatigue and general ill health. In newborn babies it is especially effective for treating colic, glue ear, and disturbed sleep patterns.
Structural Osteopathy
The osteopath uses his or her hands to assess the state and mobility of your body’s bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, nerves and connective tissues (the musculo-skeletal system) and are stretched by gently moving and manipulating the joints. Osteopathic techniques are designed to relieve local congestion and improving flexibility, thus assisting the body to restore itself to the best possible function as soon as possible.