Osteopathy is a safe and effective means of prevention, diagnosis and treatment for a broad range of health issues. Osteopathy is a form of therapy whereby patients are treated in a holistic manner through careful case history collection, assessment and through a selection of treatment plans in accordance with their individual, medical and wellbeing needs.

Osteopathy utilises specialised manual therapy technique that focuses on the interlinkages between your body's musculoskeletal systems and its overall health. Osteopaths use their expertise in anatomy and physiology to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions such as:

·       Postural disorders

·       Sciatica

·       Sports injuries

·       Musculoskeletal concerns – shoulder and back pain

·       Joint pain

·       Mobility concerns

·       Arthritis

·       Headaches

·       Tension and stiffness

·       Muscle spasms

Get £10 off your first Osteopathy, Sports Massage or Dry Needling treatment with Chiara using the discount code KEW10.

WHAT TECHNIQUES DO OSTEOPATHS USE?

Osteopaths aim to restore balance and harmony within the body by using gentle techniques such as soft tissue manipulation, which allows them to tap into their innate ability for self-healing and regulation. An undisputed basis of how osteopaths view and perceive the body in health and disease is their understanding of the basic mutual link between anatomy and physiology.

The skills of Osteopaths lie in their very specific and detailed knowledge of anatomy, coupled with an acute sense of touch. Our osteopaths take a holistic approach to healthcare, which means that they do not only treat symptoms in the area of concern but rather aim to prevent future recurrences and advise you on how to maintain your recovery, looking for the underlying cause of pain.

Therefore, osteopathic practice aims to relieve pain and manage bodily tensions through physical therapy, without the use of drugs or surgery, bringing your body back in balance. Osteopathy is used for increasing the mobility of muscles, reducing muscle tension, enhancing blood and nerve flow to tissues; strengthening your body's healing mechanisms by applying touch, physical manipulation, stretching and massage. In order to aid recovery, promote healthy functioning and prevent symptoms from occurring again, they may provide advice on posture and exercise.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT PROCEDURES?

There are different medical practices used in Osteopathy such as:

·            Manipulations (The commonly known clicking of joints)

·            Soft tissue (massage)

·            Passive stretching

·            Articulation of joints (popular in joints with arthritis)

·            Dry needling

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF OSTEOPATHY?

In today's society, when stress, sedentary lifestyles, and muscular aches are all too common - people are looking for effective, non-invasive answers to their health difficulties. Osteopathy, a natural and gentle way of healing various conditions, is becoming more popular as a healthcare discipline.

The benefits of osteopathy include:

·         Improving joint mobility

·         Chronic pain management

·         Rebalancing the body’s nervous system

·         Improving mental health

·         Adjusting postural imbalances

·         Boosting lymphatic system

·         Increasing the pace of recovery from injuries or trauma

·         Reducing adhesions and scars

·         Promoting the prevention of hypertension and cardiovascular problems.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING YOUR INITIAL ASSESSMENT?

During the initial appointment, your clinician will collect a detailed case history, including questions about the presenting problem, trauma history, and general health. Your osteopath will ask you questions regarding your condition and symptoms during your initial visit. They may also inquire about past injuries, your medical history, drugs you are now taking, and other things that may not appear to be immediately connected to your condition.

Following that, they will conduct a thorough osteopathic examination and, if required, clinical testing. This may include diagnostic, orthopaedic, or neurological testing, postural evaluations, and activities or exercises to assist decide the best course of action for your problem.  If required, practitioner will conduct relevant testing, talk about how treatment can assist and which strategies are best for your problem and explain the diagnosis to you in a clear manner.

Because osteopathy is a comprehensive therapy, your practitioner may examine other sections of your body in addition to the place that is bothering you.

Teaching patients about their problems and how to fix them is a crucial component of osteopathic consultation. Your osteopath will talk with you about the best approaches for your health concerns and how therapy might be able to assist.

FAQs

• Do I need a referral from the GP?
  You do not necessarily need a referral from the GP. Osteopaths are professional healthcare providers who are able to determine whether Osteopathy is a suitable course of treatment for you or if you need to be referred to another practitioner or GP.

• How long is the treatment and when can I expect results?
  In general, you should anticipate to notice some improvement in your symptoms after one or two sessions; but certain long-term or chronic problems may necessitate a longer course of therapy or more frequent appointments.

• Who can seek osteopathic treatment?
  Osteopaths see people of all ages from babies to the elderly and everyone in between, including pregnant women and athletes.

• Where is our osteopath based?
  Our osteopath – Chiara - is based in our Kew clinic. She works every other Saturday between 10:00 am and 02:00 pm. You can book online here or call us on 020 8287 1962.

Get £10 off your first Osteopathy, Sports Massage or Dry Needling treatment with Chiara! Just tell us the discount code KEW10 when you book. Book your appointment today and start feeling your best.