Treatments

  The small amounts of movement that exist in the infant skull permit the baby’s head to adapt to the forces of labour. However when birth is complicated by being unduly slow or fast, or when complications occur such as the need for forceps delivery, the infant head may not fully recover from the distortion. This may result in subtle changes in function leading to problems such as feeding difficulties, colic and disturbed sleep patterns.

The gentle, skilful application of osteopathic treatment by an osteopath experienced in treating babies can often bring about a significant improvement in these distressing cases and is increasingly being considered as a treatment choice for some conditions caused by difficult or traumatic birth.

Osteopathic treatment through pregnancy is a wonderfully gentle way of helping the body adapt to the changes which are taking place.

The safety of mother and baby is the osteopath’s first concern. After a thorough assessment, osteopathic treatment may help to relieve the aches and pains caused by growth in size of the baby and the accommodation of the mother to this.

Advice from your osteopath can help you to change your posture and learn to use your body correctly through pregnancy.

Osteopaths can also help to ease other side effects of pregnancy such as heartburn, indigestion, constipation and pain in the buttock, groin or leg (commonly called sciatica). Some patients, too, report reduced morning sickness after osteopathic treatment.
 

Sports Related Complaints Commonly Treated by Osteopaths

Various pains, strains and other injuries including:
· Low back pain (with or without sciatica).
· Muscle and ligament injuries.
· Knee pain (including mal-tracking and degenerative conditions).
· Shoulder, elbow and wrist injuries.
· Foot and ankle complaints.

Functional complaints:
· Reduced joint flexibility (eg a golfer who cannot rotate as well as he used to).
· Mechanical limitations (eg a gymnast who is starting to find increasing difficulty in achieving full “splits).

Overuse injuries:
· Tennis and golfer’s elbow.
· Jumper’s knee.
· Tenosynovitis and tendonitis.
  A recent survey of osteopathic practices underlined the wide range of patients treated.

Half suffer low back trouble.
Most back pains result from mechanical disturbances of the spine - postural strains, joint derangements and spinal disc injuries. Osteopathy, with its comprehensive approach to healthcare, is a particularly successful approach to treatment.

Neck pain and tension headaches.

Upper limb disorder, for example frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and repetitive strain injuries.

Lower limb problems such as hip, knee and foot pain.
  Many women are working mothers and combining both aspects of their lives can give rise to problems from the perennial headache to debilitating musculo-skeletal disorders. Many headaches originate from stiffness and tension in the neck and osteopathic treatment can often bring relief. Pregnancy can put a strain on the whole spine and osteopathic treatment can help the body adapt to the many changes it experiences.
  Many patients are losing fitness at this stage in their lives and are more prone to injury. Osteopaths consider the whole person, examining posture and the strength and flexibility of muscles, ligaments and tendons.
  Painkillers are not the only solution for the aches and pains associated with ageing. For more permanent relief it is necessary to eliminate the underlying causes of pain, a job for which the osteopath is specifically trained. Osteopathy can also help to reduce pain and stiffness in the less acute stages of arthritis.
  Work, whether at a computer terminal or in heavy industry, can give rise to disorders of muscles, tendons and joints, particularly in the back, hands and arms. Osteopaths treat many conditions related to the workplace and can give remedial advice and preventative exercise.
  For years, a number of large companies have retained osteopaths as part of their permanent company health teams. Many smaller companies have also benefited from liaison with their local osteopaths.

Having an osteopath involved in your staff care programmes can lead to a fitter workforce and improved morale, increased productivity and less time off through ill-health.
 
Golfers are constantly looking for ways to improve their golf game.

· They spend thousands on clubs/equipment, lessons and training aids.
· The most important piece of equipment any golfer has … is their body!
· Over half of all golfers will sustain at least one injury related to golf.

Osteopathy will not only prevent and treat these injuries, but also help improve performance on the course by addressing an individual’s specific golf conditioning needs.

 There is a strong relationship between a golfer’s physical condition and the ability to produce power in the swing.
Amateur golfers place more stress on the spine than professionals due to less efficient swing mechanics. With amateur golfers their lower backs are subject to higher workloads, greater muscular efforts and higher disc pressures. Therefore, acute muscular injuries are much more common in the weekend golfer.
Animal Osteopathy (Equine and Canine) - is a branch of osteopathy which works on the same principles and theories as human osteopathy. The treatment techniques applied are adapted from those used on humans. Before treatment can begin, the consent of the animal’s vet must be obtained.