Osteopathic treatment largely depends on the person and their presenting complaint, I certainly wouldn’t treat your granny the same way I would treat the local rugby team! Although I do treat some pretty tough elderly patients and some comparatively delicate rugby players! This is why the initial assessment is so important, not only so we can properly diagnose your complaint, but also to form a treatment plan that works for you.
I’m not going to talk too much about the initial assessment here. This post is just going to focus on treatments and techniques we use here at Pure Health Osteopath Clinic. That way you can get a great understanding of what to expect from treatment and an idea of our treatment style. If you want to find out more about what happens in an initial consultation then please visit our first visit to an Osteopath page.
Osteopathic Treatment
Osteopathic treatment is never just one technique for one problem, nor is it multiple techniques pulled together in an attempt to make some kind of improvement. Osteopathic treatment follows largely from our assessment; with this information we draw on our expertise, experience and latest research to really target our treatment. The aim is to optimise areas of the body so that it functions at its best. Whilst treating, we continually analyse the body for change and at look at how you respond to treatment techniques. This allows us to adapt treatment to you as your body adapts. By the end of treatment I like to see an subjective or objective improvement, better still both. Subjective improvements are how you feel after treatment (ie. feeling looser, decreased pain, able to tie up your shoelaces again). Objective improvements are generally measurable (ie. increased flexibility, improved range of motion like turning your neck again).
Treatment Techniques we use at Pure Health Osteopath Clinic
We can’t possibly cover all of them but here’s a good few – perhaps I’ll make a feature series of posts about each technique in the future.
Soft Tissue Techniques and Massage
I love massage; deep tissue, sports, lighter effleurage techniques, relaxation techniques, they all work on so many levels.
Predominantly we use deeper tissue techniques to help ease tight muscles and soothe pain. Although some lighter techniques can be beneficial for swelling and oedema.
Deep tissue massage techniques are thought to predominantly affect the local are by having a neurophysiological effect on various muscle receptors to cause a relaxation response in mind and body.
Mobilisation Techniques
These techniques are to help restore range of motion at our joints. The techniques work by rhythmically and skilfully articulating a joint within its range of motion to improve quality and range of motion. Generally this is applied to a restricted joint to help restore it back to full range of motion.
Joint Manipulation and High Velocity Low Amplitude Thrust Techniques (HVLAT)
Most commonly applied to the small facet joints of the spine and known to cause an audible popping or click noise as the joint releases. Most people describe the feeling like a joint has been put back in place, although the joint was more likely restricted or irritated than out of place. Manipulation has multiple effects, as well as freeing up a restriction. The audible pop noise is actually the release of nitrogen gas dissolved in the joint fluid causing a temporary increase in fluid volume within the joint. This temporary effect can help your body back to function by easing the movement and allowing your body to heal itself. There are also known Neuro physiological effects than can influence the muscles associated with that joint.
Rehabilitation/Exercises
This is particularly important to aiding recovery or to limit re-injury. Exercise prescription is really important for so many applications.
Exercises can be targeted to help:
- Maintain range of motion between treatments
- Ease morning aches and pains
- Recondition post injury to get you back to normal function
- Improve posture
We never just issue lists of exercises. We like to take you through the specific exercises one by one, making sure you are able to do it and are doing it right. With modern phones (most people having a smart phone) we can even record or take photos on your device so you have a great reference to take away with you.
Medical Acupuncture
At Pure Health Osteopath Clinic, both Chris and Sophie are trained in medical acupuncture.
Western medical acupuncture is a therapeutic modality involving the insertion of fine needles; it is an adaptation of Chinese acupuncture using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, and the principles of evidence based medicine. It acts mainly by stimulating the nervous system, and can help treat and ease pain.
Whilst there are other techniques we use to write about them all would make a very lengthy post for you to read. However if you do want to discuss treatment or like the sound of Osteopathic Treatment just give us a call on 01934 752122
