Osteopathy at Twickenham therapy clinic
An osteopath diagnoses, treats and prevents joint and muscle health problems by
movement. It is a holistic form of treatment that is popular amongst people
with chronic pain as an alternative to medicine. An osteopath will often use cranial osteopathy too.
Founded in the latter part of the 1800s by Andrew Taylor Still, the idea
of osteopathy is that the patient's body can be encouraged to repair itself
from ill-health. Still's methods used massage and gentle movement to alter
the way the body works so the patient can naturally regain their health.
The first osteopathy school in the UK, the British School of Osteopathy,
was founded in 1917. It has since increased dramatically in popularity and
is practised by licensed professionals all over the country. Today most osteopaths are members of the general osteopathic council.
What does osteopathy treat?
Osteopathy is used to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions. Injuries
that it can treat include lower back pain, mild neck pain, shoulder pain,
and other muscle and joint pain. Even sports injuries can be treated by osteopathy.
Osteopathy also commonly treats arthritis, a chronic condition that causes
painful and inflamed joints, and pain that is associated with pregnancy.
Pregnant women can also be treated by an osteopath.
What to expect during treatment
During an initial osteopathy session, a trained professional will ask the
client about their general health and symptoms before administering any
kind of manual treatment. This is to ensure that osteopathy is the correct
treatment for them and that the osteopath can help. The osteopath will then
examine the problematic areas, looking for pain, strain, and lack of mobility.
Once they have worked out what the issue is, they will assess how they
can help the patient through osteopathic techniques. They will communicate
this to the patient throughout the session, and recommend a course of treatment
post-session. The patient will generally be advised to have a series of
follow-up appointments.
Some osteopathic techniques that the professional may use include massage,
stretching joints in a safe way, articulation (the movement of joints through
normal range of motion) and high-velocity thrusts (short movements to the
spine which make a clicking noise).
The aim of these exercises is to increase joint mobility, reduce muscle
pain and help blood flow effectively.
Osteopathy is intended to reduce pain, and the treatment itself certainly
shouldn't increase pain, even temporarily. However, many patients do report
feeling more stiff or sore for a few days after the treatment. This is dependent
on the injury.
Therapist vacancy
Please contact the clinic.