What is Osteopathy
Osteopathy works by encouraging the body's natural process of healing. If the biomechanics of the body and its tissues can be returned towards efficiency then some or all aspects of the patient's symptoms can be resolved.
Osteopathy may be able to help with symptoms such as high muscular tone, joint pain and fluid retention or help improve the function of the abdominal, pelvic or respiratory organs. Therefore there are very few people, no matter what their symptoms, that do not benefit from hands on treatment.
We treat the individual not the disease. Therefore each person is assessed in terms of their body and their circumstances. Osteopathy might not 'cure' some disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy and Down's syndrome, or the more advanced chronic diseases such as Cancer and Rheumatoid Arthritis, but it helps alleviate many of the associated problems.
Cranial Osteopathy
Cranial Osteopaths use a very gentle technique to assess and treat the involuntary mechanism. This involves feeling for the movement of cerebral spinal fluid via the very small but important movements of the cranial bones and the sacrum between the pelvic bones. This can allow the osteopath to detect tension and strains anywhere in the body via the connective tissue known as fascia. By gently working to release strains osteopaths can help many conditions from babies with colic to adults with irritable bowel.
Structural Osteopathy
This is the classical treatment that people may expect to receive when visiting an osteopath. A bio-mechanical assessment including active and passive movements of the joints of the body followed by soft-tissue massage, articulation, manipulation (Clicking joints) and usually a prescription for exercises.
Visceral Osteopathy
Treatment of the viscera (the internal organs: digestive tract, respiratory system, etc) is a very important part of osteopathy. It is well known that our internal organs can refer pain around our bodies such as period pain causing lower back pain. Constipation can also cause back pain so it is always important to examine and treat the viscera in all patients. Treatment is gentle and not invasive and usually involves massaging the organs through the tummy to relieve any adhesions or restrictions.
Children
People of all ages can benefit from osteopathic treatment. Childbirth can be a traumatic experience for both babies and mothers. As a baby passes through the birth canal it can experience extreme forces that can result in lasting strains. In most cases the baby will overcome these strains with time but sometimes there can be ongoing effects that may contribute to conditions such as colic or glue-ear. Children and adolescents can also experience discomfort as they grow. Osteopaths can help alleviate pain from conditions such a Chondrornalacia patellae, Osgood schlatters or Scheuermann's disease as well as many other traumas caused by growing up in modern times.
Sports
Our osteopaths have had experience in treating professional and amateur sports men and women from many disciplines. Whilst practicing in New Zealand Alex Jones was a practitioner member of the NZ Sports Association Carded Athlete scheme and treated Olympic rowers, cyclists, squash players and windsurfers, international rugby union and league players, golfers, marathon runners and iron man athletes. Our osteopaths can help by reaching a diagnosis through clinical assessment formulating a treatment plan and working with each athlete as an individual to rehabilitate from their injury.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy a woman's body will experience profound changes. These range from the obvious postural changes that can cause lower back pain and plantar fasciitis to hormonal changes that can cause conditions such as Pubic Symphisis Dysfunction. Pregnancy can also cause digestive problems such as reflux.
Our osteopaths can alleviate many of the symptoms associated with pregnancy using gentle articulation and soft tissue techniques as well as cranial osteopathy and postural advice. Alex and Kate have 2 children of their own
and have been present at several births both at home and in hospitals. They can offer good advice on both pre and post natal care including exercises, dietary advice and breast feeding.