For some, Osteopathy sounds like a very ‘vague’ sort of therapy to help ease pain and injuries. But do you know it can help people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, suffering from various conditions other than the usual back pain in a natural and holistic way? In this article, our expert will tell you everything about how Osteopaths work and which benefits you can have from seeing an osteo.
Whether you need help in relieving body pain or want to improve your general health, osteopathy can be a great ally to help with a large number of pathologies at different times of your life!
Osteopath in London
At Excellence Physiotherapy, our team of specialised osteopaths in London have many years of experience treating patients with complicated or more simple pain. For the best osteopathy in London call 02071250262 – 07824553765 or Simply BOOK ONLINE
For more info, you can visit our page: Osteopathy
But what is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy usually works with different techniques in order to diagnose medical conditions and allow the body to heal itself by using its own healing mechanisms. Osteopathy is a completely natural therapy, which can identify and treat mobility restrictions.
By working on the integral structure of the body and looking at how bones, muscles and connective tissues work together, osteopathy can restore your body to a balance. Each patient is assessed from different angles: functional and postural, treating the body as a whole structure.
The osteopath uses a holistic approach that focuses on the root of the problems rather than only releasing the symptoms and fixing the consequences.
What are the different types of Osteopathy?
The different techniques osteopathy can use are the following:
- Myofascial release is a technique of manipulation that uses constant pressure until release is achieved. It is primarily used for myofascial structures.
- Craniosacral therapy uses a light touch to feel and ‘listen’ to your body – much like when the medical history is taken. Contacts are made at the base of the spine, the head as well as other areas depending on the symptoms.
- Soft tissue manipulation is a manual technique that is used to stretch or relax dysfunctional soft tissue structures.
- Visceral techniques: our visceral organs form an important part of our anatomy and physiology, making them a significant consideration when formulating osteopathic diagnoses and treatment plans. The holistic approach to osteopathy emphasises this. This is usually performed through a gentle external massage often on the abdomen.
Who can benefit from Osteopathy?
Osteopathy for Women’s Health
For women and mothers, the osteopath can help with the discomfort of pregnancy, and prepare for labour as well as postnatal recovery – especially if the delivery has been difficult or there was trauma involved such as breach birth or premature baby.
Osteopathy may help reduce the need for medication during childbirth. It can also help women suffering from infertility problems, pelvic or back pain and women suffering from endometriosis.
Cranial osteopathy – Paediatric Osteopathy
For babies and children, a cranial osteopath will help with sleeping difficulties, breastfeeding issues, orthopaedic conditions such as torticollis and flathead as well as providing an assessment of the baby’s development.
Osteopathy is also beneficial in treating constipation and any digestive disorders in newborns and babies.
General Osteopathy
Osteopathy reduces stiffness in joints and increases joint mobility. If you feel stiff or hear clicking noises from your joints, you will benefit greatly from seeing a good osteopath.
Osteopaths can relieve muscle tensions
An osteopath relieves muscle tension and reduces muscular pain, whether that’s part of your rehabilitation from an injury, or you’re just tense from sitting in front of a computer for several hours every day. Physical manipulation also enhances the blood supply in your tissues and hence helps the body heal itself.
Osteopath for Back Pain
Osteopathy has been proven to help with back pain and lumbago, as well as hernias and scoliosis. In fact, an osteopath for back pain can treat and relieve any pain or strains due to traumas.
Osteopaths to help relieve Stress and Migraines
Last but not least, osteopathy can also relieve stress and reduce the pain from headaches and migraines. Done over a period of time, it can reduce the number of migraine attacks significantly.
How do Osteopaths work?
Osteopaths work closely with patients and aim to help them achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health education, injury prevention and disease prevention. Osteopaths use the self-healing process of the body to fix not only the problem but also the cause.
Osteopathy is beneficial to relieve a multitude of problems
- Pregnancy osteopathy
- Postnatal osteopathy
- Osteopathy for breastfeeding issues
- Osteopathy for fertility issues
- Osteopathy for chronic headaches and migraines
- Osteopathy for back pain
- Osteopathy for chronic pain from work and postural issues
- Osteopathy for digestive disorders
- Osteopathy for chronic respiratory illnesses
- Osteopathy for anxiety, stress and sleeping disorders
- Osteopathy for poor blood circulation
- Osteopathy for sports injuries
