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Back Pain
Back pain can affect anyone at any age, and can often be the result of a sprain or a strain of the structures of the back. Back pain is a very common problem, with reports suggesting as many as eight out of ten of us will suffer from it at some point during our lives.
How can an Osteopath help?
Osteopaths are well known for treating back pain and patients report high satisfaction with treatment. Treatment is different in every individual.
Neck Pain
Neck pain is common in people of all ages. Driving long distances, working on a computer, poor posture while standing or sitting are all factors that can cause the muscles in the neck and upper back to become tight and the joints to become stiff which can contribute to ongoing neck pain.
How can an Osteopath help?
Osteopaths can use a wide range of gentle manipulations to reduce muscular tension in the neck and improve movement in the joints of the neck and upper back. Treatment is different for every individual and sometimes might involve treating other areas in the back and shoulders,
What Can We Treat?
Headaches
There are several reasons for headaches. One cause can be tension or strain in the muscles and joints of the neck and upper back.
How can an Osteopath help?
Gentle massage and manipulation to loosen the joints of the neck and back can relieve the build-up of muscular tension that may lead to headaches.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Pain is common and can be caused by a number of conditions. These can include:
Rotator cuff problem - pain in the shoulder or upper arm,
particularly when lifting the arm, lying on it or using the sore
muscles.
Acromioclavicular joint pain - painful joint on the tip of
the shoulder where the collarbone and shoulder blade join.
Frozen shoulder - is the painful and gradual stiffening of the shoulder limiting your ability to use your arm in everyday activities.
Referred shoulder pain - pain is experienced in an area away from the actual injury or problem e.g. pain in shoulder which is usually referred from the neck or upper back.
How can an Osteopath help?
Shoulder problems are often complex and can take a long time to resolve. An osteopath will work with you to try and understand the cause of your shoulder problem.
Foot & Ankle Pain
Pain can occur in the foot and ankles for a number of reasons. Common conditions of the foot, ankle and areas which can give rise to pain include:
Acquired flat foot – when the inner side of the foot or inner arch flattens.
Plantar fasciitis – described as a sharp pain, most often under the heel or instep of the foot is.
Achilles pain – pain, inflammation or tendonitis in the Achilles can cause pain and tightness in bone at the back of the heel area.
Sprained ankle - typically the result of a sudden twisting or
“going over” on the ankle joint. Typical symptoms are swelling, bruising, pain and instability of the ankle.
How can an Osteopath help?
Depending on the diagnosis we can use a variety of gentle massage and manipulative techniques to increase the mobility of the joints and the flexibility of the muscles in the foot.
Hip & Knee Pain
There are a number or reasons for hip & knee pain. Hip pain can come from a tight, strained or overused muscle in the hip or from the joint itself. Knee pain can have a number of different causes and can be painful and debilitating. Although some conditions may require surgery many can be helped with the right advice, exercise and treatment.
How can an Osteopath help?
Osteopaths can look at the patient as a whole, assess the way the hip & knee moves, strengthen and stretch the muscles, gently massage, stretch and improve the mobility of the joint.
Hand & Elbow Pain
Wear and tear in the joints of the hand may be the cause of your symptoms and may benefit from treatment and advice from an osteopath. Pain in the elbow is often due to two main conditions – Tennis Elbow which causes pain and tenderness around the outside of the elbow joint and Golfers Elbow which causes pain around the inner side of the joint.
Both are injuries from repetitive overuse or wear and tear from any hobby, sport or activity not just tennis or golf as the name implies.
How can an Osteopath help?
A variety of different massage and manipulation techniques can be used to try to ease your symptoms & get to the cause of the problem. We may gently manipulate the elbow, wrist, neck and upper back joints
Sports Injuries, Rehabilitation & Massage
Common sports injuries are repetitive strain injuries, inflamed tendons, torn and strained ligaments, and sore and sprained joints.
How can an Osteopath help?
Sports therapists are trained to give advice to sport and exercise participants on how to train and compete safely as well as treat injuries. The treatment and advice on offer will not only target your current injury but will also focus on prevention.
Cranial Osteopathy
Cranial osteopathy is a very gentle treatment that is suitable for most people, including the very young. It does not involve invasive techniques and can be used alone or as part of a structural approach. Cranial osteopaths use subtle manipulation to release tensions restricting the rhythm in order to return patients to optimum health. Treatment is very gentle and often relaxing.
Repetitive Strain Injuries
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a general term used to describe the pain felt in muscles, nerves and tendons caused by repetitive movement and overuse. It often occurs in people who work with computers or carry out repetitive manual work. It mostly affects parts of the upper body, such as the forearm, elbow, wrist, hands, neck and shoulders. Symptoms can vary, but often include pain or tenderness, stiffness, tingling or numbness and cramp.
How can an Osteopath help?
Emphasis is placed on providing relief from the pain and symptoms with simple soft tissue stretches, joint mobilisation and specific exercises.
This list is by no means exhaustive; we also try to address other factors that contribute to and prolong the problem that you are having.
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Osteopaths may also give advice on diet, exercises, posture and changes to lifestyle.
X-rays, scans or other tests may be required and your osteopath may refer you to your GP for any additional investigations and treatment.