What Does Osteopathy Involve?

There has been a Tradition of "Bone Setting" in most cultures throughout the Ages. Osteopathy is bone setting with a certain rationale attached.
With the advent of Anatomy and Physiology it became possible to explain what occurred when a vertebra was manipulated.

When a vertebra is out of place the muscles that move that vertebra go into spasm ; this results in stiffness and pain around that vertebra, and frequently the nerve that leaves the spine at that level is affected. This can result in numbness and pins & needles and pain in the areas that are supplied by this nerve. So, if a vertebra in the neck is "Out" the shoulder blade and arm can be affected. Or if a vertebra in the low back is "Out", the lower back, buttock and thigh may be affected.

A displaced vertebra frequently causes symptoms such as neck pain & headaches or lower back pain and sciatica.

It is common for the internal organs to be affected. Symptoms such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Dysmenorrhoea (Period Pain) are examples of this.

Osteopathic manipulation of the spine is a wonderful tool in the field of pain management, and when properly applied it can be Miraculous!

What is massage?

Massage is the corner stone of body work. If you do not get your hands involved and feel what is going on with the person, you will miss the most obvious pointers to the underlying problems that are causing the person pain.
Massage allows you to find which muscles are painful & tight, which vertebra are not moving correctly and which vertebra are displaced. It is diagnostic, and when specific techniques are applied it is a treatment in itself.

Massage is relaxing and therapeutic. Precise techniques like Neuro-Muscular Technique inhibit painful muscles, allowing them to relax and return to their proper length and tone.

I use massage before osteopathic manipulation. This allows the muscles to relax and makes osteopathic manipulation much easier to perform.

What is Cranio-Sacral Therapy (CST)?

The Brain has 4 ventricles, or internal spaces, which produce cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF). There is a subtle pulse that is felt as the CSF moves around the brain and central nervous system. This pulse can be felt with practice. Where this pulse is irregular or the cranial bones are not moving symmetrically it may produce symptoms, such as a persistent headache or dizziness.

CST is profoundly relaxing, and where a person is under stress it is of great benefit. Treatment appears to affect the areas of the brain that react to stress. As these areas respond to treatment the muscles relax, blood pressure and heart rate lower, blood returns to the centre of the body and pain decreases.

It is not unusual for the person to relate what is on their mind, and release verbally what underlies their stress : this can be very cathartic and healing in itself.

CST is "Holistic" treatment, as it really does treat Mind, Body & Spirit.

What does acupuncture involve?

In its simplest form, acupuncture is an excellent way to reduce muscle spasm and ease pain. It speeds the healing process, reduces inflammation & pain and relaxes the patient. We mainly use acupuncture for treating trigger points in muscles & arthritic conditions.

Advanced Acupuncture techniques allow one to access the central nervous system, and it allows one to stimulate or inhibit the bodies functions via the nervous system.

Conditions such as IBS, Asthma, Period Pain and High Blood Pressure can be helped with this type of acupuncture.

Patients who are receiving acupuncture for the first time may be concerned that it will be painful. The needles used are very fine. When a needle is inserted there is a definite sensation, but the treatment should be painless and relaxing.