What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathic treatment aims to restore balance to the body through the release of tensions and restrictions in body tissues- kickstarting the body’s self-healing mechanism.
It is a form of manual therapy developed over the last hundred and thirty years, based on the principle that the structure of the body governs its function and, therefore, if the bones, muscles, ligaments and internal organs are out of alignment, the body cannot function at an optimum level and so cannot be fully healthy.
All osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners. This means that you don't need to be referred by a GP. If after a thorough health screening procedure, we decide that further investigations are required, we will refer you to an appropriate healthcare professional.
As time has gone by, alongside traditional osteopathic treatment, different forms of osteopathic treatment have been developed such as cranial and visceral osteopathy. All seek to restore balance throughout the body.
Traditional / Structural Osteopathic Treatment
In traditional osteopathic treatment, techniques which may seem similar to massage are used along with gentle, rhythmic movement of a joint to induce muscle relaxation and thereby greater freedom of movement. Sometimes a thrust may be used to restore mobility to a joint- often referred to as an HVT (High Velocity Thrust) and 'click' may be heard, which is simply the sound of the two joint surfaces temporarily separating.
Cranial Osteopathy
Cranial Osteopathy is a very gentle type of treatment which works with highly subtle rhythms in the body to produce tissue release on a profound level. The usual points of contact are the cranium (head) and sacrum (part of the pelvis), hence the fact it is also referred to as cranio-sacral therapy. Aside from its other benefits, patients often find cranial treatment deeply relaxing.
Babies and infants often respond astonishingly well to this form of treatment as their bodies are at a stage where although fragile are rapidly developing and able to absorb the practitioner’s input. During the birth process great stresses and strains are placed upon the baby as it passes through the birth canal, even when the birth is relatively straight forward. If there are complications and a caesarean or ventouse delivery is required the trauma to the baby is even greater - often leading to moulding of the bones of the cranium and strains throughout the spine and pelvis.
Visceral Osteopathy
Visceral Osteopathy involves the very gentle release of tissues enveloping the internal organs and complements spinal adjustments wonderfully, to restore mobility throughout the body.
