Osteopathy, an effective approach to HEADACHES: Headaches are one of the most common medical complaints. Structural changes are assessed looking for immobility and dysfunction. Other headache cases may include eye strain, sinus congestion, whiplash injury, stress, poor posture, jaw imbalance and teeth grinding, infection, allergies and food intolerance. Your osteopath may be able to assist you leading to treatments that reduce the need for headache medications. You may improve your general mobility, reduce muscular tension, nerve compression and inflammation, improve blood supply to and from the head and neck, receive advise on posture, exercise and stretching to help prevent a recurrence of symptoms. You will be offered guidance on diet and hydration as well as being advised on improving the ergonomics of your home and workplace. You should see your medical doctor first if your headache is accompanied by fever, nausea or vomiting, bleeding or fluid drainage from the nose or ears, dizziness, blurred vision or speech, if you experience numbness, tingling or paralysis.

Osteopathy and SPORT: Osteopath treat acute and chronic sports injury. However, did you know that knee pain is often related to poor foot and ankle mechanics, thigh muscle tension and hip problems. Shoulder injuries can be caused by tension in the ribs, neck, shoulder blade and upper back. Shin splints involve poor mechanics of the lower leg and foot. Joint injections and pain killers may only mask your problem. Unless you deal directly with the cause of the problem, further injury and joint degeneration may result.

Your osteopath is trained to facilitate a return to optimal function and prevent compensatory strains from occurring. This will minimize re-injury and allow a quicker return to physical activity.

Osteopathy as we get OLDER: The body loses elasticity with age, increasing the chance of injuring the soft tissues and bony structures. This can cause poor balance, general stiffness, back, neck and arm pain, hip and knee pain, stiffness, arthritis and joint swelling. Osteopathy may aid to maintain your health, increase mobility, improve balance, reduce further joint wear and tear and help keep you active and independent. Home exercises can keep you stronger and more flexible, you may benefit from advice on nutrition and if you wish, we can refer you to activities like Tai Chi or yoga to maximize your balance and strength.

Osteopathy and CHILDREN: Osteopaths commonly help babies with colic and constipation, constant crying, feeding difficulties, delayed development, skull deformation or ‘flat head’. Osteopath may also provide children and teenagers with recurrent throat infections, urinary disturbances, joint pain, back pain, period pain and earaches, asthma, glue ear and ear infections, postural problems, sporting injuries, walking difficulties or foot pain, even some changes can be achieved of the physical effects of cerebral palsy.