Osteopaths look at the whole body- muscles, joints, nerves, circulation. The philosophy behind Osteopathy is that when the body is in balance<\/strong> the body is continually healing itself. When pulled out of balance by various stressors, injury or disease may manifest. The Osteopath assists the body into a balanced state where healing<\/strong> can once again be optimised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Osteopathy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Osteopathy is a form of manual physical therapy used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal ailments. Osteopathic therapy is a form of manual therapy used to treat the whole body. It takes a holistic approach considering all aspects of the patient- mind, body, emotional and spiritual health. Osteopathy has its roots in medicine having been developed by a medical doctor Dr Andrew Taylor Still in 1874. Over the years it has been considered as a complementary alternative medicine (CAM) but in the past 20 years has been viewed as an effective conventional therapy with traditional and scientific philosophy.<\/p>\n\n\n

Whole Body Osteopathy: A holistic manual therapy used to treat the entire body<\/strong><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

What do Osteopaths do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each patient is assessed individually<\/strong> and appropriate treatment customised according to their specific needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We go through a thorough history about what you're coming in for, background medical history (as it may all be linked), do a thorough examination which may include orthopedic testing if there is an injury to a joint and then we treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A range of techniques is used such as soft tissue massage, joint manipulation, articulation, stretching, Muscle Energy Technique (MET), cupping, dry needling and prescriptive pilates exercises and stretches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We select the treatment based on what your body best responds to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are four main Osteopathic principles:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

• The body is a unit – mind, body, and spirit.<\/li>
• The body has an innate self-healing capacity<\/li>
• Structure and function are inter-related<\/li>
• Treatment is based on the body\u2019s self-healing mechanism and structure and function.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

  There are many techniques an osteopath may use during treatment, you will find that each therapist treats differently according to their own personal style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  What are the osteopathic manipulative techniques?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

  Osteopathic treatment may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Soft tissue massage<\/li>
  • Fascial release<\/li>
  • Muscle Energy Technique (MET)<\/li>
  • Stretching<\/li>
  • Joint articulation and mobilisation<\/li>
  • Joint manipulation where you will hear a release in the joint<\/li>
  • Intra-oral jaw release<\/li>
  • Gentle balancing<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    In addition to these other techniques such as cupping, pilates rehabilitation, and prescriptive exercises are integrated into treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What is Structural vs. Cranial Osteopathy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Every Osteopath will have a different approach to treating. The two distinct styles you will often hear about are Structural and Cranial Osteopathy. But what's the difference?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A structural treatment has techniques that are more direct such as articulation, manipulation, and soft tissue. You tend to feel like you've been treated. Cranial osteopathy<\/strong> uses very gentle and subtle movements<\/strong> to encourage an alteration in the tissue tensions either at the head or throughout the body. These techniques are commonly referred to as indirect techniques. Lots of people know about cranial work for babies, to help them adjust after birth. It's suitable for adults too and especially concussion injuries<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Although cranial osteopathy is very effective for some conditions we tend to approach your issues with a more structural approach and integrate cranial work if needed. If you love to feel ‘worked on'<\/strong> then you'll respond well to a structural approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you are specifically after Cranial Osteopathy please get in contact<\/a> for practitioner recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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