Therapies: Osteopathy

PRACTITIONERS: Indera Ajimal, Anne Marie Margetson

The stresses of your daily life, including work-place ergonomics, posture, past and present aches, pains, injuries, accidents and operations are all considered when creating a truly individual treatment plan. Using a broad range of osteopathic techniques, including Cranial Osteopathy, an Osteopath focuses on improving function and balance in each patient’s body to create long-term improvements. Practical advice about your sitting and standing posture, exercise and stretching will help you to understand your body better and reduce your risk of further problems.

Our osteopaths appreciate that not everybody likes the traditional manipulation techniques (the ‘clicks’). They use these techniques only if the patient is 100% happy with this approach. There is always an alternative method that can be used, often gentle, unwinding, Cranial Osteopathic techniques. Gentle osteopathic techniques and Cranial Osteopathy are wonderful for treating babies and children, following any injuries, accidents or operations and when stronger techniques would be unsuitable.

OSTEOPATHY FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS

At no other time in a woman’s life does the body undergo so many changes as during pregnancy. Osteopathic treatment given during pregnancy is a wonderfully gentle way of helping to manage common symptoms affecting many expectant mothers, such as:

• Low back and leg discomfort
• Neck and shoulder tension
• Discomfort around the thorax
• Pubic Symphysis Disorder
• Issues with digestion
• Swollen legs

Gentle Osteopathic techniques can also help to ensure that the joints and ligaments of the low back and pelvis are free moving to aid the easiest delivery possible

We also offer post-delivery care to help rebalance the body after the dramatic changes of pregnancy and labour.

Is Osteopathy safe during pregnancy?
Osteopaths are highly skilled, and undergo a minimum of four years training. Gentle Osteopathic techniques are safe at all stages of pregnancy.

OSTEOPATHY FOR BABIES

During the birth process, the bones of the baby’s head are able to overlap, or mould, to aid the passage through the birth canal. The cranial bones should reposition themselves naturally. However, sometimes a helping hand is needed.

If your baby’s head was engaged in the pelvis quite early, or if they had a difficult birth (a long labour, or a very fast one, the use of forceps, ventouse or a caesarean section) or any additional complications, it’s best to have your baby checked by a Cranial Osteopath.

Treatment is very gentle and helps babies to release any residual strain patterns or birth trauma. Babies can be treated form just a few days old.

• Crying, fractious baby
• Feeding difficulties-latching on, tires easily, prefers one side
• Digestive discomforts
• Sleep disturbances
• Teething problems
• Infections

OSTEOPATHY FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS

Children’s bodies need to be adaptable and versatile to respond to the varied demands of growth and activity. Untreated birth trauma, teething, learning to walk, tumbles and accidents, growth spurts, dental/orthodontic work, carrying school bags, sporting/musical interests can all contribute to strains in the growing body.

Gentle osteopathic treatment can help your child develop to their full potential and help to reduce the risk of health problems as they get older.

More information about osteopathy can be found on www.osteopathy.org

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