What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy works with the philosophy that if the structure of the body is well balanced, then it will function efficiently, and that much of the musculoskeletal pain that we experience is due to imbalances in our body.

By focusing a variety of techniques to the muscles, fascia, joints and ligaments and sometimes even organs, the osteopath will aim to alleviate the pain and discomfort that stems from this abnormal functioning of the body structure. These techniques can include soft tissue stretching, muscle energy techniques, gentle rebalancing and manipulation to the spine and other joints.

Osteopathy is most well known for the treatment of back and neck pain, sciatica and trapped nerves but it is also used to treat many other conditions such as

• Tension headaches
• Babies with colic, sleeplessness, irritability
• Back pain associated with pregnancy
• Shoulder/elbow/wrist problems/RSI
• Hip/knee/ankle pain
• Whiplash injuries
• Sports injuries
• Pain and stiffness associated with arthritis

What does treatment involve?
Before any treatment takes place, a thorough clinical examination is performed. This will include a case history and observation of active movements of the body. The osteopath will also palpate (examine with touch) the body to feel for tensions and strains. After a diagnosis and management plan have been established, the osteopath will then go on to treat. Treatment may also include exercise advice, or advice on work posture.

Clothing protocol: during assessment and treatment you can either change down to underwear or alternatively bring a pair of loose shorts and top or vest top.

Osteopathic treatment during pregnancy
Aches and pains are common and can develop as your posture changes – the arch in your lumbar spine increases as the baby gets bigger, and your ligaments become more lax. Osteopathic treatment can help your body adapt to these changes and therefore provide relief from pain. Osteopaths like to ensure that the pelvis is as balanced as possible to help give the best chance of an uncomplicated labour.

Treatment after birth
Immediately after giving birth, the new mum must start caring for her baby. It is no surprise that this can be physically a very demanding time with feeding the baby (sometimes for periods in awkward positions), bending over cots, lifting car seats and holding the baby on one hip. All this when your body must adapt again posturally to no longer being pregnant, you have less tone in your supporting abdominal musculature, your ligaments are still more lax if you are still lactating and you are trying to recover from giving birth and probably not getting much sleep!

Osteopathic treatment can be helpful at this time to correct any imbalances (pre-existing or from birth strain) the effects of which may be amplified by the above unique circumstances!

Cranial Osteopathy for Babies and Adults
The cranial approach is a very gentle way of releasing tensions in the body, and is particularly useful in treating babies and young children.

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 fast, or when other complications occur such as the need for forceps delivery, the head may not fully recover from the distortion. This may result in changes in function leading to problems such as feeding difficulties, colic and disturbed sleep patterns.