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About Osteopathy

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Osteopathy is a primary healthcare system, complementary to other medical practices. It is suitable for people of all ages and can contribute to alleviating an enormous range of conditions. Osteopathy recognises that much of the pain and disability we suffer stems from abnormalities in our body’s structure and function and osteopaths diagnose and treat over 6 million people a year for problems with muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints to help the body’s natural healing ability.
 
Typical problems that can benefit from osteopathic healthcare include neck & back pain, sciatica, sports injuries, repetitive strain injuries (RSI), conditions such as arthritis, joint and muscular pain, respiratory problems such as asthma, aches & pains associated with pregnancy, headaches & sinusitis, tinnitus & jaw problems. Treatment involves gentle, manual techniques to ease pain, reduce swelling and improve mobility. Osteopathy does not involve the use of drugs or surgery.

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The most common condition treated by osteopaths is low back pain, which affects two-thirds of the adult population of the UK and is the nation’s leading cause of disability. Back pain is also very common in children and around 50% of children in Europe experience back pain at some time.

The trouble with back pain is that it can do more than just give you a pain in the back. It can create difficulties with walking, sitting, bending and lifting and can even lead to depression and incontinence. It can also be the cause of pain in the buttocks, groin or legs (commonly called sciatica), in the head, neck, shoulders and arms. It can also be one of the effects of hip, knee and foot problems.

Back pain can result from bad posture, a sudden jerky movement, a lumpy mattress or poor lifting techniques. It can also be caused by injury in a work place, by a sports accident or by muscular spasms. It often occurs during pregnancy or, because of decreased flexibility, as people get older.

Many women are working mothers and combining both aspects of their lives can give rise to problems such as headaches and debilitating joint & muscle pain. Many headaches originate from stiffness and tension in the neck and osteopathic treatment can often bring relief.

Osteopathy can help with:
  • neck & back pain
  • sciatica
  • sports injuries
  • repetitive strain injuries (RSI)
  • degenerative conditions such as arthritis
  • joint and muscular pain
  • respiratory problems such as asthma
  • aches & pains associated with pregnancy
  • headaches & sinusitis
  • tinnitus & jaw problems

The above list is by no means exhaustive, so if you are not sure whether osteopathy can benefit your condition please call the practice to find out.

What to expect:

Initially, the osteopath will take a full medical history, and will examine you using diagnostic procedures similar to those of conventional medicine.  You will be asked to remove your outer clothing so that your body posture and mobility can be assessed - you will be asked to perform a series of simple movements to help the osteopath identify areas of strain, weakness or injury. Your osteopath will discuss the diagnosis with you and will propose a treatment plan.

The length of the treatment will depend upon your needs. The first consultation will typically take 50 minutes to 1 hour and subsequent visits 25 to 30 minutes.

Under the Osteopaths Act 1993, it is a criminal offence for anyone to practice as an osteopath unless registered with the General Osteopathic Council. The public can, therefore, be confident in visiting an osteopath that they will experience safe and competent treatment from a practitioner who adheres to a strict Code of Conduct.

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Trainee osteopaths study anatomy, physiology, pathology, biomechanics and clinical methods during a four or five year honours degree programme. Such wide-ranging medical training gives osteopaths the skills to diagnose conditions to determine where osteopathic treatment is appropriate, and where the patient should be referred to a GP for further investigation.

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The Ashfield Practice, 22 Ashfield Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1QQ
 
Phone: 01249 659749  Mobile: 07758 251385