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Osteopathy

(All about osteopathy and what an osteopath does!)

(See below for Cranial Osteopathy)

Osteopathy is a safe and natural approach to health care, treating individuals for health problems from the potential trauma of a difficult birth to arthritis of the elderly, from cradle to rocking chair, as it were.

The osteopath considers the musculo-skeletal system as the physical expression of the person as a whole, rather than merely as protection, carriage and support for the vital organs.

A highly trained sense of touch is used to identify dysfunction within the body. The person is then treated to remove/reduce all restriction & impediments to improve/restore mobility and balance and thereby enhance well being.

Osteopaths have at hand a wide range of techniques, the more commonly used include; soft tissue stretching, rhythmic passive joint movements and manipulation. Both osteopaths & chiropractors tend to reserve the word 'manipulation' for what is more technically known as HVT (high velocity thrust). The principle of this is based on a rapid movement over a very short range to release a stiff or locked joint without injury or trauma to the tissues. I mention this as some have concerns about the safety of this approach, especially with regard to manipulation of the neck. In reality it has been found in studies to be significantly safer than taking a course of anti-inflammatories which are available 'over the counter'.

Physiotherapists tend to apply the word manipulation in a wider context. ranging in grades  from 1 to 5, with 5 being equivalent to HVT, but there are relatively few physios in the UK that perform grade 5 manipulation, with it requiring extra postgraduate training. Other manual or 'manipulative therapists' may well not be qualified to perform such manipulations, so don't be shy to ask - your health could be at risk!

HVT manipulation is only one approach of many in the osteopaths itinerary, which would be discussed before application and may be unsuitable for some, i.e. those with osteoporosis or vascular complications. The person would be assessed and examined for the possibility/risk of these and not assumed to absent if they have not been previously diagnosed. Those advising that people with such conditions should never consult an osteopath is doing them a disservice, as said there are many more osteopathic approaches that could help.

Usually when treating the elderly and children the very gentle release techniques of Cranio-Sacral Osteopathy are used (see below).

Osteopathy is a particularly successful approach for the treatment of spinal pain most commonly in the lower back and neck, but often referring pain to the lower and upper limbs respectively. Similarly restriction and pain originating in the limbs such as arthritis, injury and repetitive strain conditions may also be helped.

Although osteopaths are best known for treating neck & back pain and yes spinal problems are the mainstay of most osteopathic practices, but many will be surprised by the range of problems that we may well be able to help with.

Pain, unless it's from a recent injury, is often a late indicator that there is a problem and the earlier a problem is caught, then the greater the chances of a full recovery.

A few examples of the problems that people seek osteopathy for;

• Arthritic Pain - The pain of osteoarthritis or common arthritis unfortunately affects most of us sooner or later. This may just affect one or two joints (i.e. arthritic hip, knee or shoulder), or multiple joints (i.e. throughout the spine, known as spondylitis).

• Colic in newborn babies is a common complaint that parents seek cranial osteopathic treatment for. The wonder of babies is that they are so adaptable and the colicky baby usually responds with only a few treatments.

• Joint pain in general - whether it be golfer's or tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, RSI (repetitive strain injury) of the wrist, sprained ankle, foot problems (i.e. heel spur, fallen arches), or knee pain, hip or S.I. (sacroiliac) joint pain.

• Headaches - many headaches have their origin in the upper neck & is officially called cervicogenic head pain and the neck itself may not be painful. Other 'hidden' upper neck problems may also contribute to disturbance of balance, vertigo, jaw problems, earache/ pain, scalp tenderness or numbness, sinus pain (commonly confused with sinusitis), brain fog - the inability to focus or think clearly, etc.

• Low back pain - this and neck pain are the problems most commonly treated by osteopaths. The most commonest causes of low back pain IMHO are caused by an irritation / 'locking' of the small facet joints at the back of the spine and vertebral disc injuries.

• Neck pain - this may as a result of a road traffic accident, other whiplash trauma or for no obvious reason. As well as local neck pain, it's not unusual for people to present with upper back or shoulder pain only to discover that the problem originates in the neck and it's referred pain to the upper back or shoulder.

 See the A-Z section on Andrew's osteopathic site for more conditions in detail.

There is also ongoing research into the effectiveness of Osteopathic treatment with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ ME), menstrual problems and infertility problems amongst others.

FAQ's on Osteopathy

Cranio-Sacral Osteopathy

(Cranial Osteopathy)

Cranial osteopathy is not just osteopathy for problems of the head & brain or, indeed the very young or old.

For most of us - the birth process is arguably the most stressful event of our lives. Even a relatively straight forward birth imposes enormous stresses on the baby, especially on the skull (cranium). This can readily be seen in the amount of 'moulding' or distortion in the head of many newborn babies. A certain amount of moulding is normal and usually resolves naturally in the first few weeks of life. If the pressures have been excessive (due to complications, small pelvic opening, etc), then a varying amount of strain and distortion can remain 'locked' into the child's body as they grow. This sort of cranial distortion is particularly pronounced with a long delivery time or with the use of forceps or 'ventouse cup' (often causing a cone shaped head) during delivery. This can have a subsequent effect on the child both physically and neurologically. 

Cranial osteopathy is especially suitable for children and the new born with conditions such as glue ear, colic, asthma,  restlessness and behavioural problems or learning difficulties.

Usually the younger the child, the quicker they respond, as they have a great capacity to heal, compensate & adapt. This is because there is still a huge amount of growth & development going on in the  brain & nervous system of the new born.

Often parents are told  - They'll grow out of it!

And many do in time, as their little bodies learn to adapt & work around the underlying strain patterns. If we are able to release these or at least reduce them, then the question is - Why put child & parent through this distressful period? 

The aim of cranial osteopathy is to encourage & maximise health to give the child (or adult for that matter) the best possible chance of optimum health & therefore life.

Many of these children's problems are so common that the implications can be overlooked. Glue ear (otitis media with effusion) is a classic example.

Not only is there the obvious of pain & distress, but there is also the risk of infection, that may also spread (hence the prescribing of antibiotics).  If the inherent motion of the cranial & facial bones are compromised, then the fluid or 'glue' is unlikely to drain away via its natural course.

A further issue with this condition is the common, accompanying deafness, when the child is at such a critical stage of developing language skills.

Cranial Osteopathic Treatment & Glue Ear Articles

Osteopaths at the Centre

Alison Bellamy

Registered with PPP & BUPA health insurance for osteopathic health care.

Alison's clinics at the Centre are Thursday mornings & Monday evenings.

Wirral Osteopath, Western Acupuncturist, NAET Practitioner &

Meditation Teacher for British Meditation Society

Andrew Woodhouse BSc (Hons) Osteopathy

Registered with the General Osteopathic Council (Osteopaths Act 1993)

 For more on Osteopathy click on link below for Andrew's osteopathic website.

Vital-Osteopathy.com