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Pure Health Osteopath Clinic

Osteopaths Weston Super Mare

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Ever Wondered what Treatment Osteopaths do?

October 27, 2017 by PureHealth

 

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

Shoulder Pain TreatmentOsteopathic 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

Benefits of Osteopathy for Sports

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)

Back TreatmentMost 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

Filed Under: Uncategorized

January Offer £11 OFF Osteopathy

January 8, 2016 by PureHealth

£11 Off OSteopathy

Osteopathy in Bristol £11 OFF

This month we’re giving all our patients £11 off Osteopathy treatment in Bristol, for new and existing patients (limit: one use per customer). We want to help everyone feel great this year.

With the new year beginning many of us plan ahead and set goals for what we want to achieve this year. You might want to get a bit fitter, or achieve more from work, or perhaps your goal is to spend more time with the family. What ever you want to achieve from 2016 lets start the year feeling great in our own body.

We want to help:

  • Ease you into your fitness program by getting you a bit more supple and help identify areas that may benefit some specific training.
  • Ease any aches or pains distracting you from your work.
  •  Get you feeling great again so you can feel like you have more energy to keep up with the kids.

Do I need to be in Pain to Visit an Osteopath?

Short answer No! Whilst we have a good reputation for helping with aches and pains, and helping you bounce back. Osteopaths are like detectives for the body, we examine you and identify restriction or areas that aren’t functioning as well as they could. Then target our treatments to help improve or restore function, like an MOT and service for your body. We check how your running and identify how you could be running smoother then treat based on our findings.

At Pure Health Osteopath Clinic, Treatments are tailored to the individual. We use massage techniques to help ease sore or tight muscles and use articulation or manipulation (movement therapy) to help improve restriction.

Call today for an Appointment on 01179 000 935

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Christmas Opening Hours

December 14, 2015 by PureHealth

Monday 21st 8am – 7.30pm

Tuesday 22nd 8am – 7.30pm

Wednesday 23rd 8am – 4pm

Thursday 24th – Closed

Christmas Day  – Closed

Boxing Day – Closed

Monday 28th  Closed – Emergency appointments only

Tuesday 29th 8am – 6pm

Wednesday 30th 8am – 6pm

Thursday 31st Closed

Friday 1st  Closed

Saturday 2nd 8am – 2:30pm

Usual hours week commencing Monday 4th

If your suffering and desperately need an appointment or some advice on any of the days we are closed, give us a call or email and we will do our best to help. We care about everyone of our patients and will hep where we can.

Merry Christmas to all our patients and wishing you the best health for 2016.

From Chris and Soph at Pure Health Osteopath Clinic

Filed Under: Uncategorized

6 Self Help Tips for Posture Pain

November 4, 2015 by PureHealth

Desk Posture

Posture pain can be a big distraction. If you have read our article on good posture at work you will have a good idea of what changes occur in our bodies and what can cause pain whilst seated at a desk. Here are some self help tips to help with postural pain:

  1. Take regular Breaks – get up and move around, take a walk to the water machine. Motion is lotion. Movement can help:
    • Break down the build-up of collagen fibers (which add to restriction).
    • Improve tissue fluid dynamics nourishing muscles and joints.
    • Stimulate muscles helping the muscles maintain strength and minimising muscle atrophy.
    • Clear the mind, easing stress and helping you focus.

 

  1. Hydrate – good hydration helps our bodies in many ways; aiding digestion, improving tissue fluid dynamics, and can even have an effect on headaches (depending on type). Tips for staying hydrated:
    • Water is best. Not all drinks are equal when it comes to hydration. Tea, Coffee, and sugary drinks can actually set back your hydration.

 

  1. Exercise at work – if you don’t currently exercise at lunch, or even take a lunch break, START. You don’t need to train for a marathon. This will help improve muscle and joint condition, and ease stress. Try:
    • A walk around the block followed by some stretching.
    • Getting a group together and have a group stretching session, or if you want a giggle try a lunch time hula-hoop session.
    • Download a health app, count daily steps and work in some little exercises.

 

  1. Get a massage – Massage helps ease stress, improve tissue dynamics, and feels pretty good too. Try speaking to HR or Personnel see if they can arrange a desk massage.

 

  1. No Slouching – Whilst an ergonomic work station will help, we still need to focus on how well we hold our posture. If you know you slouch:
    • Get an app or screen saver that will regularly remind you to adjust your seating posture.
    • Ask a colleague to point out every time they catch you slouching, if this seems like a lot to ask start a slouch jar. Put in some money each time your caught slouching at the end of the week you can use it as a prize for the one who got caught the least or use it to treat yourselves to lunch.

 

  1. Visit your Osteopath – if you are struggling with postural pain. A visit to an Osteopath could be just what you need to get your joints and muscles working smoothly again. Your Osteopath will examine your posture and joint range of motion, give you good advice, and treat your problem.Poor posture Bristol

If you are interested in Ergonomics and would like to find detailed information on ergonomic advice please visit ergonomics.org for great resources related to ergonomics and Alexander Technique.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Why we Need Good Posture at Work

November 4, 2015 by PureHealth

Let’s face it, we’re not designed to spend every hour of the day locked indoors, staring at a screen, and desperately tapping away at the keyboard trying to get our work done! Prolonged sitting is no good for us, and sitting with poor posture can further exaggerate things.

Some of us may break up the day by taking a walk or playing a game of five a side at lunch. Others may cycle to and from work or stop by the gym on the way home. These really help keep us in good shape, but what does this prolonged sitting do to our bodies?

Seated Posture BristolPosture Effects on Low Back and Pelvis

Whilst in a typical seated position:

  • Knees are bent at around 90° – This places our hamstrings in a shortened position.
  • Hips our flexed at around 90° – bringing our hip flexors to a shortened position.
  • Pelvis is tilted backwards – allowing us to relax our core muscles, in particular our abdominal muscles.

Eventually our bodies can adapt to this prolonged sitting resulting in shortened hip flexors (psoas muscle), shortened or tight hamstrings, tight low back muscles, weak abdominal muscles, and weak glutes. Our bodies adapt to this and our pelvis can become tilted forwards, increasing our low back lordotic curve (see pic) .

This drastically effects:

  • Core Strength
  • Flexibility
  • Joint loading and pain
  • and can predispose you to injury

Poor posture Bristol

Posture Effects on Upper Back, Neck, and Shoulders

Whilst at a desk looking at a screen we tend to:

  • Flex our upper back and roll our shoulder forward (slouching) – This can essentially stretch our upper back muscles and our trapezius muscle (spanning between our back, neck and out to our shoulders) and cause shortening of muscles of our chest (pec muscles).
  • Extend our neck – to adapt to our upper back postural change. This can cause shortening of the muscles at the back of our neck and weakening of muscles at the front of our neck.
  • Crane our heads forward to see the monitor – This can further amplify the effects of extending our neck and place extra loads on joints and muscles to be able to maintain this posture.

Similarly our bodies eventually adapt to this by increasing our mid back kyphotic curve (see pic). This can predispose us to; neck pain, shoulder pain, joint loading, and joint wear and tear.

Posture Effects of InactivityInactivity

Periods of inactivity can also affect our joints and muscles on microscopic level. Ever heard the phrase ‘don’t use it, loose it’? This holds some truth for our muscles and joint range of motion.

Muscles, when not used or engaged can atrophy (waste away), this sounds terrible but really it’s our body’s way of maintaining efficiency and placing resources and nutrients where they’re currently needed. However this does mean if you’re spending prolonged time seated your muscles can change. For 3-5 days bedrest it takes 30 days to regain the muscle and strength lost due to atrophy.

Muscles and joints can also become restricted due to sustained inactivity. Every day our bodies are constantly laying down collagen fibres in an almost random pattern. This occurs; over joints, between muscles, between organs. The purpose of this is to create stability in areas not used much and to allow smooth movement in areas of higher mobility. This also helps maximise the bodies efficiency by creating stability where needed. These fibres get broken down by movement. By spending long periods of time in the same position we’re allowing the build-up of these fibres causing fascial restriction in joints and muscles. Gil Hedley explains this really nicely in a non-scientific way in his youtube video, take a look if you’re not too squeamish but be warned the video does show dissection and may not be to every ones taste. Gil Hedley Video

Postural Ergonomic Help

Desk PostureTry sitting with your hips flexed at 90⁰, knees at 90⁰ and feet flat on the floor. Have your screen at head height directly in front of you so you don’t have to turn your head to the side. Try to maintain a neutral posture where you are not stretching or straining, and no slouching. This will help minimise loading of joints and strain on muscles whilst sat at a desk.

Different seating can help by causing you to engage more muscles whilst seated, especially your core to maintain an upright position. Sit to stand desks will help by encouraging you not to spend too much time seated or standing. Also, by placing your body in an upright position you reduce effects of shortened hip flexors and hamstrings. However, if you are working standing, try not to lean or slouch.

Ergonomic help is great it allows us to make changes to our environment by adjusting factors extrinsic to our bodies. But we do need to take some responsibility for our own health. Think of these as intrinsic factors, factors specific to you and your body.

Intrinsic Factors include:

  • Muscle condition – Muscle imbalances, or tight and knotted muscles affect the muscle tissue dynamics. This means strains and pain can be felt sooner as the muscle is not functioning efficiently.
  • Joint Range of Motion – Restrictions in our joints can essentially cause us to over work other joints, as we have to compensate for the restriction. This can be a predisposing factor in aches and pains.
  • Hydration – Many people don’t hydrate adequately or drink just tea or coffee. Less than optimum hydration means our muscles and joints are not hydrated on a cellular level, if our cells can’t thrive then our bodies can’t either.
  • Sleep – There is strong scientific research highlighting the link between sleep deprivation and pain. This is because the majority of our healing takes place during our sleep.
  • Stress – Stress plays a massive role in many conditions. It physically effects how pain is transmitted along nerves. It can have drastic effects on tissue dynamics, sleep, hydration, and even apatite (affecting the fuel for our bodies).

Please See our ‘6 self-help tips for desk postural pain‘

If your interested in ergonomics or Alexander technique visit ergonomics.org for a great resource of information.

If you are in pain, or just want some great tips on how you can improve your posture and advice specific to you. Call Pure Health Osteopath Clinic for an appointment. Our Osteopaths will examine your posture, movement and form a treatment plan specific to your needs. Helping you feel great and self manage. You can also visit our Osteopaths even if you are not in pain, prevention is better than cure. Call 01179 000 935 to book an appointment.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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As we are fall under the catagory of medical appointments, we can stay open and continue accepting bookings for face to face appointments. All our customers can legally travel to and from an appointment during the lockdown period.

We have implemented treatment protocols to minimise risk of COVID-19 and ensure your safety whilst minimising risks.

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