Osteopathy

Osteopathy is an established system of diagnosis and treatment of stresses and strains in the body. Osteopathy uses many of the diagnostic procedures involved in conventional medical assessment and diagnosis. Its main strength, however, lies in the unique way the patient is assessed from a mechanical, functional and postural standpoint and the manual methods of treatment applied to suit the needs of the individual patient. It can help with a wide variety of conditions due to its philosophy that all parts and systems of the body are connected and interdependent, and that for good health all parts need to work well as a whole.

Osteopathy is well known for its treatment of aches and pains in the musculo – skeletal system, and Osteopaths regularly treat people with:

• Lower Back Pain
• Headaches
• Pain and restriction in the joints of the arms and legs

Osteopaths also treat people with:

• Breathing difficulties
• Digestive disturbances
• Gynaecological problems
• Occupational stress
• Tension from emotional stress
• Postural changes in pregnancy

Cranial Osteopathy

Cranial osteopathy applies the same principles as Osteopathy while focusing on the subtle mechanic structures of the head and spine, which house the central nervous system, to effect change throughout the body.

Cranial Osteopathy for Babies

The gentle nature of the cranial osteopathy makes it particularly suitable for babies and children. Parents regularly report improvement in complaints such as:

• Colic • Sickness and wind • Crying babies • Feeding and sleeping problems • Ear infection • Sinus congestion • Behavioural problems

Read more about Cranial Osteopathy here.

Osteopathy for Sports Injuries

Most people nowadays – especially those of us who work and live in a big city – recognize the need to engage in some regular physical activity. Whether we go walking, running or doing a specific sport, physical exercise helps us relax and balance our work, family and social life.

But if we sustain an injury which prevents us from practising our favourite physical routine, stress can easily build up and create a vicious circle of frustration and poor health. Osteopathy is one of the most effective treatments that can prevent injury and speed up recovery from sports injuries and accidents. The osteopath uses a holistic hands-on approach to understand why the injury has occurred in the first place in order to give the appropriate treatment and prevent recurrence.

At Brackenbury Clinic our highly qualified and experienced osteopaths are involved with amateur to professional athletes from all ages and levels including:

• Short distance runners • Marathon runners • Triathletes • Rugby players • Football players • Dancers • Tennis players • Squash players • Swimmers • Gymnasts • Bodybuilders • Yoga practitioners

You will receive specific advice regarding your training program (stretching, performance progression, goal settings etc.), nutrition and lifestyle, as well as personalised treatment to speed up and enhance your recovery.

If an injury is keeping you away from your activity or sport, visit Brackenbury Clinic – our expert osteopaths will put you back on track for your success.

Osteopathy and Women’s Health

Osteopathy has a lot to offer at every stage of a woman’s life.

Hormonal and Menstrual Health – Osteopathy works on improving circulation and lymphatic drainage which help to reduce menstrual pain, alleviate cramps and ease tension in the pelvic area.

Pregnancy and Post-Natal Care – During pregnancy women experience a huge number hormonal, postural and mechanical changes which place extra strain on the musculo-skeletal system. Looser joints and ligaments and shifting centre of gravity can lead to pain in the feet, knees and hips. Issues such as sciatica, girdle pain and lower back pain are common. Osteopathy can address these and many other complaints with soft tissue techniques, joint mobilisation and gentle stretching to alleviate pain, optimise alignment and prepare the body for labour. Seeing an osteopath after giving birth can help rebalance the pelvis, relieve muscular tension and support overall physical recovery.

Peri-Menopause and Post-Menopause – Osteopathy can address issues such as joint stiffness, back pain and postural changes associated with that stage of life. In addition, reducing physical tension and calming the nervous system can greatly support the mental and emotional wellbeing of women. Easing physical pain and reducing tension can improve sleep quality and bolster energy. Better circulation can support temperature regulation and reduce hot flashes.

For information on Osteopaths in your area, or anywhere in the UK, you can contact the Osteopathic Information Service on (020) 7357 6655, or look at the website of the General Osteopathic Council at www.osteopathy.org.uk

For appointment costs, please visit the individual practitioners’ pages.