Introducing OSTEOPATHY
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a system of health care that focuses on treatment of the physical body, the joints, muscles and connective tissues with a combination of techniques such as soft tissue stretching, gentle manipulation and articulation. This form of manual medicine places its emphasis on structural and functional integrity of the human body. In other words maintenance of good mechanical function is essential to good health. Problems in the framework of the body can affect the functioning of circulatory, lymphatic and neurological systems - contributing to aspects of ill health.
Osteopaths also offer personal advice on stretching and strengthening exercises, posture, lifting procedures, and stress management to help improve an individual's quality of life.
What is an Osteopath?
Osteopaths are government registered health care practitioners with tertiary qualifications. In Australia, all osteopathic courses are five years full-time study.
Who can benefit from Osteopathic treatment?
Osteopathic treatment is most commonly sought for musculo-skeletal complaints such as: -
postural and/or mobility problems
back and neck pain - arthritis
disc disorders
joint pain
sports injuries
some injuries from road and domestic accidents
hip and buttock pain
neck and shoulder tension
headaches such as migraine and
tension-type headaches
jaw pain
RSI
sciatica
Osteopathic treatment can also help with problems such as: -
breathing difficulties
asthma
digestive problems
lowered immune response after illness
What to expect from your osteopath
Your osteopath will assess structural changes that may have come about from recurring injuries, poor posture, muscular spasm or secondary effects from other areas of the body.
Depending on the presenting complaint, your osteopath will decide which is the most effective course of treatment and will discuss this with you.
Your osteopath will also design an appropriate ongoing management program to prevent re-injury.
Osteopathic treatment involves manual techniques including soft tissue stretching, mobilisation, articulation, and gentle manipulation of the joints.
When necessary, osteopaths will also consult a client's doctor to ensure the best possible treatment outcomes.
Your osteopath will respect your rights, privacy, dignity and cross-cultural customs.
Is a referral necessary?
No. It is not necessary to have a doctor's referral to consult an osteopath. However there are increasing numbers of General Practitioners referring patients for osteopathic treatment. Osteopaths will also refer patients to appropriate Diagnostic Examinations and/or specialists when necessary.
THE TOPICS BELOW WILL HELP YOU LEARN MORE ONHOW OSTEOPATHY CAN HELP YOU:
Osteopathy and back pain
Your osteopath will assess structural changes in your back that may have come about from previous back injury, scoliosis, poor posture, muscular spasm, or secondary effects of hip, knee and foot problems.
Some of the warning signs:
localised pain that can be a dull ache, creeping, or sharp and stabbing
the pain may be aggravated by certain movements
the pain may travel deep into the buttocks and legs
Depending on the presenting complaint your osteopath will decide on the most appropriate course of treatment and design a specific management program with you. This may include advice on exercise, posture, specific stretching and strengtheningprograms.
Osteopathy and sports
Whether you are a weekend warrior or an elite athlete, your osteopath can assist with prevention of injury as well as treatment of many common sporting injuries.
These include: -
muscle strains and ligament sprains
compartment syndromes
synovitis
bursitis
delayed onset muscle soreness
tendinopathy (includes tenidinitis, tenosynovitis, tendinosis)
minor nerve irritation/ entrapment
osteitis
Osteopathic treatment involves manual techniques such as deep tissue massage, soft tissue stretching, mobilisation, and manipulation, which is like a tune up for strained tissues. This helps reduce excessive scar formation and fascial adhesions, reduce pain, improve elasticity and mobility of muscles, joints, and spine. This in turn creates a positive influence on your circulatory and nervous systems. Your osteopath can also provide a number of stretching and strengthening exercises that will help establish correct movement patterns and avoid re-injury of the area.
Your osteopath can also assist in maintaining good breathing function by ensuring the rib cage and diaphragm are functioning correctly, and that correct breathing techniques are used. This is highlighted when the body is under stress to perform and the respiratory rate is elevated.
Osteopathy and pregnancy
Some of the most common complaints associated with pregnancy are:
Generalised lower back pain
sciatica from nerve pressure
sacroiliac or pubic symphysis joint pain
neck, shoulder, and middle back pain
These are in part due to the extra weight, which creates a shift in the body centre of gravity, as well as softening of muscles and supporting ligaments. This combination produces added mechanical stress and leads to some of the many complaints associated with pregnancy.
The goal of osteopathic treatment is to assist this natural process, maximising the body's ability to adjust and compensate for the changes as efficiently as possible with minimal discomfort. Osteopathic techniques used during pregnancy are gentle and the comfort of the mother is always assured.
It is still valuable to see an osteopath after the birth of the baby as some women start to experience back problems only after the birth. This can be caused by weakened ligaments and lack of muscle strength, thereby weakening the whole structure. Postural strain in the middle or upper spine may also be experienced with breast-feeding. Osteopathic treatment to this region can help ease the discomfort as well as promote better blood flow and lymphatic drainage to the breast area.
Your osteopath can also provide advice on posture, lifting techniques, and strengthening exercises for the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor. Restoration of the normal mechanics of the pelvis and spine will optimise the body for an active life.
Osteopathy and headaches
Osteopaths are trained to differentiate between common causes of headaches and those due to serious pathology.
Common causes of headache are those that originate in the neck. Tightened muscles and joint restrictions (from poor posture, stress, injury, etc.) in the upper neck contribute to reduced mobility, irritation of the local nerves and blood vessels. Other varied causes of headache include eyestrain, sinus disturbances, neck injury (whiplash), migraines, and jaw misalignments, to name a few.
Osteopaths assess structural changes that may lead to immobility and dysfunction and will discuss the most effective course of action. Gentle osteopathic techniques such as soft tissue, mobilisation, and manipulation work to improve joint mobility, reduce muscular tension and nerve irritation, and improve blood supply and drainage to and from the head and neck. Advice on posture, ergonomic set-up, exercises and stretches may also be given to prevent future headaches.
Osteopathy and ageing
As we get older, the flexibility within our body deteriorates and increases the chance of injuring soft tissue and bony structures. The natural ageing process may give rise to symptoms such as generalised early morning stiffness, back, neck and arm pain, hip pain, arthritis and joint swelling.
Osteopathic treatment may be very rewarding to patients if their pain can be substantially reduced. Using a variety of manual techniques such as joint articulation, soft tissue stretching, indirect release and manipulation, the osteopath works on improving the quality and range of motion in joints throughout the body. The techniques can be adapted to suit the needs of the patient and their specific condition.
We currently have no practitioners specialising in this therapy so you can contact: