Osteopathy

Osteopathy recognises that much of the pain and disability we suffer stems from abnormalities in the body’s structure and function. Osteopaths diagnose and treat problems with muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints to help the body’s natural healing ability. Treatment involves gentle manual techniques, easing pain, reducing swelling and improving mobility. Sometimes, though less often these days, manipulation is required. This is painless but can result in an audible ‘pop’. This is simply the sound of gas bubbles in the joint fluid, and is not the sound of bones cracking together as some people believe!
At The Walsingham Clinic our Osteopaths prefer a gentle approach, using massage, functional and cranial techniques where appropriate. Ultrasound can also be used for some conditions like acute tendonitis and RSI.
Osteopathy is most commonly used for back pain, which usually results from mechanical disturbances of the spine – postural strains, joint derangements and spinal disc injuries. Osteopathy is a particularly successful treatment for these problems.
However Osteopathy is used to treat a range of other issues as well, particularly headaches which can be caused by tension and stiffness in the neck, and it can help reduce pain and stiffness in the less acute stages of arthritis. Osteopathy can also be used to treat work-related health problems, such as RSI.
Osteopaths are self-regulated by the General Osteopathic Council, which has a strict code of conduct and requires all Osteopaths to carry out Continuing Professional Development annually.