Osteopathy
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that aims to promote optimal health and wellness by treating the whole person, not just specific symptoms or conditions. It is based on the principles that the body is a unit and that structure and function are interrelated. Osteopathic practitioners use a variety of techniques, including manual therapy, exercise, and lifestyle advice, to support the body’s natural healing processes and promote optimal health.
The benefits of Osteopathy include:
- Relief from pain: helping reduce pain and discomfort of the musculoskeletal system, including the back, neck, joints, and muscles.
- Improved range of motion: improving flexibility, mobility, and range of motion in joints.
- Reduced stress and tension: relieving stress and tension in the body, improving overall relaxation and well-being.
- Better posture: improving posture, reducing the risk of injury and promoting overall health.
- Enhanced athletic performance: improving athletic performance by improving range of motion, reducing pain and discomfort, and promoting optimal body mechanics.
- Improved sleep: By reducing pain and tension, osteopathic treatment can help improve sleep and overall quality of life.
- Better digestion: Osteopathic treatment can help improve digestive function and relieve digestive issues.
- Respiratory conditions: it can help relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions, such as asthma and bronchitis.
- Pregnancy-related conditions: Osteopathy can help manage and treat conditions related to pregnancy, such as back pain and sciatica.
*Remember, everyone is different and the benefits of osteopathic treatment may vary. It’s important to speak with our team to determine if it’s right for you.
The four principles of Osteopathy are:
- The body is a unit of body, mind and spirit: The body functions as a whole and each part is interconnected and affects the others.
- Structure and function are interrelated: The structure of the body influences its function and vice versa.
- The body has the ability to self-heal: The body has the innate ability to heal itself and maintain health.
- Treatment should consider the whole person: Osteopathic treatment considers the physical, emotional, and social factors affecting the patient, not just their symptoms.
These principles guide the holistic approach of osteopathic medicine, where the focus is on the patient’s body as a whole, rather than just treating specific symptoms.
What conditions can Osteopathy help with?
Osteopathy can be used to help manage and treat a wide range of conditions, including:
- Acute or chronic pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Tendon conditions (tennis elbow,rotator cuff tendinopathy, biceps tendinopathy, calcaneal/Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, patellar tendinopathy, gluteus medius tendinopathy)
- Pre- and post-surgery
- Ligament conditions (ankle sprain, shoulder ligament injury, knee ligament injury)
- Neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain
- Nerve compression symptoms (sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, occipital neuralgia, cubital tunnel syndrome, numbness, pins and needles, peripheral neuropathy from bulging discs)
- Muscle pain (strain or restriction)
- During and after pregnancy
- Sports injuries, improving athletic performance
- Hip pain (impingement)
- Knee pain (patellofemoral tracking syndrome)
- Respiratory conditions
- Rehabilitation and patient education
