What can an Osteopath do for me?

Jeremy Cranial Osteopathy, General Osteopathy, Osteopathy for Adults, Osteopathy for Children, Osteopathy for Pain Relief, Osteopathy for Pregnancy, What is Osteopathy August 15, 2018February 9, 2019

What can an Osteopath do for me?

What Is An Osteopath Osteopathic treatment is a procedure, which involves identification, treatment and prevention of various health issues by stretching, moving, and massaging the muscles and joints of a patient. When performed correctly, the process may help to achieve following positive outcomes.

Relieves muscle tension
Increases mobility of joints
Helps your body to heal quickly
Maintains regular blood supply to the tissues

Osteotherapy works on a principle that the health of a person relies heavily on the proper functioning of the musculoskeletal system. This includes integrated and synchronised working of various body parts such as muscles, bones, connective tissues and ligaments.

Usually, osteopaths focus on the muscles, spine, and joints. The basic aim of such a treatment is to cast positive impact over the circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous systems of a patient. Osteopaths use numerous techniques with a view to cure the disease. However, administration of drugs is not necessary during Osteopathic treatment.

On the contrary, Osteotherapy relies of Manual Medicine, which suggests that the whole process of diagnosis and treatment is executed only with hands. Some of the widely acknowledged benefits of Osteopathy are mentioned as under:

The major focus of an osteopath revolves around the specific parts of a body including muscles, joints, and spine
Regular Osteopathic intervention may help to treat back pain, arthritis, tennis elbow, digestive issues, postural problems, and headaches
Osteopathy also regulates the proper functioning of circulatory, nervous, and lymphatic systems
Helps to maintain healthy sleep cycles

What Exactly Osteopaths do

An osteopath identifies the losses and blockades in mobility of all the joints and muscles, associated with the complaint. For instance, the local Osteopaths will probe into the main cause of a problem and treat it through muscle energy techniques, mobilisations and manipulations. It is interesting to know that an osteopath does not heal, but enhances the healing capacity of a body.

This is done by eradicating the mobility and blockade issues, which are serving as the major impediments during the natural healing process. The body is given some time after the treatment to respond properly to the applied techniques. Hence, it is ensured to maintain a gap of at least one week after every Osteopathic treatment.

Procedures Followed During First Appointment

Osteotherapy is a system of healthcare, which is mainly patient-centred. The duration of the first appointment is 45 minutes to one hour approximately. This provides adequate time for an osteopath to ask questions regarding your health issues, general health and other medical treatments that you are receiving.

Each and every information is recorded in the case notes. The osteopath is ethically and legally bound to maintain the confidentiality of given information. Being professionals, Local Osteopaths also look for any sign of serious illness, which is not curable through Osteopathic treatment. In this situation, they will advise a patient to see a GP or visit a healthcare facility.

Physical Examination

Physical examination is the most essential part of an Osteotherapy. For this purpose, the patients are advised to remove some clothes. However, the privacy of each patient is respected during such an examination.

You will be asked to repeat certain stretches and movements to analyze your mobility and posture. The osteopath will conduct a detailed examination of the joints, ligaments, and tissues with hands. This method relies on ‘Palpation’, which is considered as a highly developed sense of touch.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you are suffering from back pain, aches or other mobility joint issues, visiting one of the local Osteopaths will be a wise decision. This is so, as Osteopathic treatment is a specialised way to diagnose, treat and prevent musculoskeletal disorders and other similar problems.

After a physical examination, an osteopath will thoroughly explain regarding what has been diagnosed during such a procedure. Furthermore, a suitable treatment plan, as well as duration and number of sessions, is also discussed with the patient.

The benefits of such a treatment and involvement of anticipated risks are also explained. It is essential to know what is achievable through this treatment and how many sessions are necessary to seek considerable improvements.

Osteopathy is a hands-on procedure, which includes joints and spine manipulation techniques along with soft tissue massage. Normally, an osteopath proposes a customized treatment plan to meet the individual needs of each patient.

Post-Treatment Advice

Osteotherapy promotes the notion of self-healing; hence, an osteopath will also advise home exercise programs, dietary changes, and some lifestyle alterations. The hands-on work is done in a gentle way, which feels a bit relaxing. However, after an exhaustive physical activity during manipulation of joints and spine, the patient might feel muscular pain for a day or two.

Book Online Now or Call (02)9524 4620 for Sutherland Shire area.

Osteopathic Treatment for Headaches and Neck Pain

Jeremy Cranial Osteopathy, General Osteopathy, Osteopathy for Adults, Osteopathy for Pain Relief August 15, 2018February 9, 2019

Osteopathic Treatment for Headaches and Neck Pain

Osteotherapy is a manipulative treatment, which is based on the concept that an individual is a combination of mind, body, and spirit. Osteopathic treatment takes its strength from the self-healing ability of a body. The process of osteopathy involves diagnosis and treatment plan that depends largely on the interrelationship of the following.

Structure and function
Precise palpation
Manual tests
Techniques to find the causes of dysfunction and treat them
Restore mobility of every part of the body

This type of manual therapy and medicine has been widely used for the treatment of facial, head, and neck pain. You can also consult one of the local osteopaths serving in your area to avail the benefits of Osteopathy.

The success of manipulative treatment is based on the precise and non-invasive techniques. Hence, when adapted, tissue quality responds to these techniques and circulation of body fluids is maintained properly.

Types of Headaches and their Treatment through Osteotherapy

A headache is considered as the most common disorder, which affects the major portion of the population. The most reported types of headaches include Cervical and Tension headaches.

Cervical and Tension Headaches

Osteopaths often treat these two types of headaches, which may affect the whole head or its parts. The patient usually complains about a gripping feel or a strong pressure around the head.

Cervical Headaches

A Cervical headache appears gradually after weeks of an injury such as whiplash, caused due to a road accident. Apart from this, another cause associated with this headache is a poor sitting posture where the neck is arched back and head jutting forward.

An irritation to the nerve roots of the upper neck is another cause of a Cervical headache. This condition appears after any restrictions or damage to the ligaments and joints of the lower or upper part of the neck.

Tension Headache

Typically, tension headache initially feels on the area where head and neck meet and usually travels to the forehead. The normal cause of this kind of a headache is stiffness of the neck muscles. The condition is further aggravated by constant head and neck movements or by keeping the neck in a specific position for a while.

Treatment

Benefits of Osteopathy are numerous, especially during treatment of headaches and neck pain. If you are suffering from any type of a headache, contacting one of the local Osteopaths is surely a good idea. Osteotherapy includes careful examination of the muscles, joints, and neural structures of the neck region.

In addition, screening and postural assessment of some other areas are also conducted. This process allows an osteopath to look for certain imbalances, which may have been adding tension to the neck, lower back, thoracic spine shoulders, and pelvis.

Osteopathic Treatment helps to improve the function of a particular area by facilitating joint mobility and reducing facial tension. With the application of relevant soft tissue techniques and mobilization, the patient experiences a noticeable relief from a headache and neck pain.

Osteopath gives ergonomic and postural advice, once the treatment is over. Furthermore, particular self-treatment exercises are also suggested in order to reduce tension and maintain a strong flexible posture.

Osteopathic Treatment for Neck pain

Cervicalgia or commonly known as neck pain is a general health issue faced by most of the people. Neck pain can be classified into acute and chronic, depending on the actual causes.

Some of the most notified causes of acute neck pain are sleeping in a poor position, whiplash or trauma. The chronic neck pain is usually caused by an uncomfortable driving position, poor sitting posture or pathological conditions including spinal Osteoarthritis or Stenosis.

Osteotherapy is referred as one of the ideal ways to relieve neck pain. Based on a corrective manual therapy, osteopathic treatment facilitates the muscular and bone alignment of the neck. Given below are some of the Benefits of Osteopathy, especially with reference to the neck pain.

Osteopaths apply gentle manipulation techniques depending on the gravity of the disease and age of the patient, which ensures the safety of a patient
Once the diagnosis is complete, osteopath manages to lower muscular tension in the neck by implementing a wide range of osteopathic techniques
Movements of the neck joints are improved with soft tissues massage. This releases the tension and relaxes the stiffened neck muscles
Local Osteopaths may also render advice regarding sitting posture in the car or at your workplace. You will be advised to follow a simple self-exercise regime, which involves stretching movements, designed for maintaining the natural mobility of the neck muscles
After just a few sessions of Osteotherapy, you will definitely experience a soothing and relaxing feel

Book Online Now or Call (02)9524 4620 for Sutherland Shire area.

Osteopathy Pregnancy

Jeremy General Osteopathy, Osteopathy for Adults, Osteopathy for Pain Relief, Osteopathy for Pregnancy August 11, 2018February 9, 2019

Osteopathy Pregnancy and its Benefits

Osteopathy Pregnancy Pregnancy involves certain ongoing adaptations, which assist the proper development of a child during each phase. This includes softening of the ligaments, changes in the spine curve and alteration in overall body posture. As the child continues to grow, the center of gravity moves forward gradually. It changes the impact of natural mechanical stress on the body and magnifies the sensation of arching in the lower back. Due to these changes, the pressure on the muscles, ligaments and spinal joints increase to a great extent.

The philosophy of Osteotherapy is based on the basic functions of a body, which are integrated and coordinated through the musculoskeletal system. Osteopaths have the experience and knowledge to assess, diagnose, and treat the symptoms or abnormalities faced by a patient. Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) is a tried and tested method, which evaluates and treats the body as a whole. This results in the removal of impediments to achieve optimal health and physiologic functioning of a body.

Osteopathic pregnancy helps the body to overcome certain impacts of the changes appeared during stages of the pregnancy. Osteotherapy is an ideal treatment for maintaining body’s balance by regulating nervous, lymphatic and circulatory systems. Osteopathy treatment is a non-invasive and gentle process, which is conducted by a qualified osteopath.

This kind of therapy facilitates the body to adjust its biomechanical and physiological requirements during pregnancy. It has been observed that women who undergo regular sessions of Osteotherapy had experienced less back pain and shorter labor.

Advantages of Osteopathy Pregnancy

As stated earlier, pregnancy introduces various chemical, emotional and physical changes within the short span of time. The body faces constant physical strain with reference to its tissues, joints, organs, and ligaments. With a view to preparing a body to adapt to such changes, the pregnant woman needs to alter her walking, sitting and sleeping postures, which arises new pains and aches. In these circumstances, Osteopathic treatment may provide some relief from typical symptoms associated with pregnancy. Some of the benefits of osteopathy pregnancy are as under.

Minimizes Groin, pubic symphysis and lower abdominal pain
Lowers Sciatica pain and Headaches
Deals effectively with the muscular tension, shoulder, neck and back pain
Relieves the symptoms of Heartburn and Nausea
Improves breathing by lowering the rib and mid back pain
Manages circulatory issues including swelling in the varicose veins and legs due to immense abdominal pressure

Procedures Adopted During Osteopathic Treatment

After consultation, an osteopath will take into account any past medical history and current symptoms. Each patient receives a different treatment, which includes techniques like cranial Osteopathy, soft tissue massage, and mobilizations. These procedures help to stretch muscles, relieve pain, mobilize joints and release stress.

Once the required level of improvement is achieved, the patient will receive maintenance treatment to handle specific parts of a body and spine, which require special attention. Osteopathy pregnancy can minimize the gravity of discomfort and stress leading to an easy and natural pregnancy.

In order to achieve better results, an Osteopath will help the patient in the following manner.

Assists the patient to relive any pains and aches
Suggests exercises, stretches and breathing techniques for maintaining a healthy body during pregnancy
Gives necessary advice to enhance the flexibility of the abdomen and pelvis
Assist mother for a quick recovery after birth

Contraindications of Osteopathy Pregnancy

The Osteopathic treatment has proved to be both effective and safe during pregnancy. The Osteotherapy techniques are carefully designed and selected for pregnant women. This is done to avail maximum benefits and with the minimized risk factor. During this treatment, the comfort of the mother and the safety of her child is always taken into consideration. Therefore, each patient receives a customized treatment with a view to addressing particular issues. However, there are certain conditions where such a treatment should be avoided. These include:

Abruption placentae
Rupture of membranes without labor
Eclampsia, and ectopic pregnancy
Premature labor
Incompetent cervix

Post-Pregnancy Osteopathic Treatment

After the child is born, it is recommended that both the infant and mother should see an osteopath for routine check-up or treatment, if necessary. It can help to restore the pelvic alignment and maintain mobility. As a result, the patient will quickly recover from the symptoms of any discomfort and pain after the childbirth. In addition, Osteotherapy after pregnancy may assist in:

Achieving previous body shape quickly
Revitalizing the body by regaining flexibility and strength

Looking for any strains in the pelvis or backbone and treat them

Book Online Now or Call (02)9524 4620 for Sutherland Shire area.

Benefits Of Osteopathy

Jeremy General Osteopathy, Osteopathy for Adults, Osteopathy for Children, Osteopathy for Pain Relief, What is Osteopathy August 11, 2018February 9, 2019

Benefits of Osteopathy

Benefits of Osteopathy Treatments With the passage of time, as we grow old, feeling a sensation of pain, aches, and strain is normal. However, there is nothing to worry about, as now you can relieve your body from stress and pain through Osteopathic treatment. It is a proven method to rejuvenate and reclaim a healthy body. Osteopathy provides desired results irrespective of age factor and proves to be effective during pregnancy and old age.

Osteopathy supports healing by focusing on how your body systems are communicating. In fact, this treatment follows a holistic and hands-on approach for a particular patient, which ensures a harmonious functioning of the ligaments, skeleton, muscles, and connective tissue.

To achieve such a perfection, a qualified Osteopath applies a wide range of techniques, encompassing physical manipulation, stretching, touch, and massage. Apart from various other reasons, arthritis and joint discomfort are some of the most common reasons to visit an Osteopathic Clinic, especially for those over 50. Osteopathic treatment involves thrust techniques, stretching, and joint movements, which minimize pain, increase joint range of movement and improve mobility.

In addition to the above-mentioned advantages, visiting an Osteopath can also prove beneficial in the following manners.

Osteopathy; A Gentle Cure for Pain

An Osteopath considers your body as a whole and treats the pain you experience in various parts of the body. Osteopathic treatment may cure and reduce pain in various area including backbone, ankle, head, and neck. It works as a perfect stress and pain reliever due to some key factors, which are mentioned as under:

Noticeable reduction in muscle/joint pain and stiffness by addressing the underlying cause of pain
Treats back pain caused due to spinal disk injuries or poor posture
Non-invasive treatment helps reduce chronic pain
Minimizes the tension in the muscles
Allows a body to embrace structural and hormonal changes during pregnancy

May Act as an Immunity Booster

As mentioned in the ‘Journal of the American Osteopathic Association’, Osteopathy promotes better lymph flow. This, as a result, increases the ‘slgA’ levels, which is normally present in people with strong psychological and emotional stress. It has been observed that such an increase provides required protection against upper respiratory tract infections.

Low-Impact Treatments

Unlike massage therapy where deep tissue pressure is applied, Osteopathic treatment involves a lighter and softer approach. Nevertheless, Osteopath may apply some pressure while administering Osteopathic Manipulation. This technique is commonly used to treat musculoskeletal disorders resulting from repetitive strains and sports injuries.

No Equipment Used

In most of the cases, a practicing Osteopath doesn’t use technological or medical tools like ultrasound machines as used by some chiropractors or physiotherapists. On the contrary, osteopaths rely heavily on their hands while using them as healing tools.

In fact, there is nothing more sensitive than a human touch, which helps practitioners to decode the message coming from the tissues and muscles. With a gentle manipulation, one can easily relax the tight muscles/joints or tethered nerves.

Prevents against Reoccurrence of Injury

Osteopaths take into consideration all the elements, which cause a particular injury to reappear. This allows an Osteopath to ensure prevention from such acute condition in future. Besides, Osteopathic treatment plays a vital role while helping patients in the following manner.

Assists body to heal itself
Treatment of accident-related including Motor vehicle injuries and Sport injuries
Reduce adhesions and scars

Reduces the Effects of Chronic Illnesses

Treatment provided at Osteopathic Clinic can relieve a person from symptoms of post-chronic illness including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), asthma, and arthritis. It restores the body’s normal function while treating the root causes of disease and pain.

Relaxes Your Body and Mind

By using correct osteopathic techniques, this type of treatment can cast a relaxing impact over body and mind. Its ability to minimize stress levels by enhancing the efficiency of body’s mechanism such as nerve supply, immune system, and blood flow. The procedure adopted in an Osteopathic Clinic is based on the philosophy that our body has a natural ability to heal and regulate on its own.

An osteopath uses their hands to put gentle pressure over the body for optimum results. Some of the techniques used during osteopathic treatment are mentioned below:

Stretching the stiffened joints
Release and relax muscles through gentle massage
Triggering joint movement through a natural range of articulation and motion

Osteopathy Treats Your Body as a Whole

There are certain types of treatments, which tend to address only a specific disorder or disease, whereas Osteopathic treatment casts an impact on every part of the body. It works on the principle that a strong relationship exists between all organs of a body and their systems.

Call for an appointment (02) 9524 4620