Which conditions can we treat?
Lower Back Pain: Almost 2 in every 3 people have pain in their lower back pain at some point. The cause isn’t normally serious and the pain can often be managed by manual therapy, exercises and stretches. Osteopathy consists of a broad range of techniques where we use gentle spinal manipulation and mobilisation techniques to open up restricted joints, relieve muscle tension and enhance flexibility. We prescribe specific exercises to strengthen supporting muscles and improve posture.
Sciatica: 5 to 10% of people with lower back pain also experience pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the back of the leg and toes. This is often called sciatica. However, not all people with sciatica experience lower back pain, just pain down the leg. This is often caused by a disc compression or severe arthritis in the lower spine at lumbar level 4 or 5. Osteopaths will use gentle traction techniques to reduce the compression of the disc and joints which therefore alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve. We will also address the compensatory pain patterns by using gentle joint mobilisation, soft tissue massage and stretching exercises.
Disc Herniations: 95% of the disc herniations are present in two lower segments in our spine (L4-5-S1) however this doesn’t mean it cannot be present anywhere else in your spine. Depending on which disc level it occurs, you will experience the referred pain into different locations. Our focus is on reducing pressure on affected discs through spinal mobilisation, traction and soft tissue work. We give targeted exercises to strengthen surrounding muscles and to support the spine.
Neck Pain: up to 70% of the population will suffer neck pain at some point in their lives. This is often caused by poor posture, road traffic accidents, sport injuries, anxiety & stress. Osteopathic techniques such as spine manipulations, articulations & soft tissue massage can alleviate muscle tension, restore range of motion and reduce pain.
Headaches: are the commonest symptom reported in the general population, with a lifetime prevalence of more than 90%. There are many types of different headaches, most common ones are tension headache, migraines, cervicogenic headache. This is often caused by neck pain, overstimulation, stress, anxiety, poor posture, poor sleep and even unhealthy food. We will help to identify which type of headache you have and we will treat it accordingly. Cranial osteopathy is a great choice of treatment for headaches as it is very gentle and it reduces muscle tension in head and shoulders.
Sinusitis: is often something we suffer with when we have a cold or flu but, also hayfever and allergies can cause sinus congestion. Osteopaths use lymphatic drainage to improve mucus flow and stimulate the immune system. Also cranial osteopathy will help to reduce head and facial muscle tension.
Shoulder Pain: 67% of the population may develop shoulder pain in their lifetime. There are many different types of shoulder pain, depending on the severity, it can last from a couple of weeks to a couple of years. Most common shoulder conditions are a shoulder impingement, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff strain or tendinopathy, and arthritis. By using osteopathic techniques such as soft tissue massage, manipulation, joint mobilisation, muscle energy techniques we can enhance shoulder mobility, reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Also strengthening exercises and stretches are important to achieve a better outcome.
Postural Fatigue and Muscle Tightness: often poor posture and stress can cause a build up of muscle tension in back, neck and head which can over time become painful and fatigued. By using soft tissue massage and joint mobilisation we can reduce muscle tension and improve posture. We also give postural and ergonomic advice to manage and prevent the discomfort returning. We also give exercises to strengthen the weak muscles and stretch the overly tight muscles.
Joint Pain (e.g., knee, hip, wrist, ankle): peripheral joints injuries are often caused by sport injuries, repetitive strains, sprains, wear and tear, arthritis. Osteopathy will help to reduce pain, muscle tension, and improve mobility. Also specific exercises will help to strengthen the supporting muscles of the joint and stretch out the tight muscles.
Chronic Disorders (e.g., fibromyalgia, ME): pain, fatigue and mood swings are often part of chronic disease. By trying to restore the body’s balance we can help to reduce these symptoms. Our approach involves managing your symptoms through gentle techniques that promote relaxation, reduce muscle tension and support natural healing processes to enhance overall well-being. Alongside lifestyle and exercise advice, we will be able to manage your symptoms.
Visceral Problems (e.g., digestive disorders, menstrual problems): stress, poor posture, poor diet, food intolerances and sensitivities can cause discomfort to our organs (viscera). Most organs are muscles and are attached to our skeleton by ligaments. By using visceral osteopathic techniques we reduce tension of the organs to improve function, alleviate pain and enhance blood flow to the affecting organs.
Pregnancy: during pregnancy women go through physical, hormonal and emotional changes. As the baby grows, the mum will alter her posture to counterbalance the baby’s weight, this will cause extra pressure onto your spine and pelvis leading to back and pelvis pain. Early on in the pregnancy, the mum will start to release relaxin hormones which will cause the muscles and ligaments to relax. This will allow the body to accommodate for the baby’s development and growth but also plays an important part during child labour. In the final phase of pregnancy, the baby is almost at its full growth and will start pushing onto the rib cage causing indigestion and rib pain. Furthermore, the baby will start to descend into your pelvis and will cause increased pressure onto your spine and pelvis area. These changes often cause instability with the musculoskeletal system which makes pregnant women more prone to injury such as disc herniations, pubic symphysis dysfunction, facet joint irritation, coccydynia, sciatica, etc. Osteopathy has shown to be a very safe and effective form of treatment during pregnancy. We will often opt for a gentle approach to reduce muscle tension, open up restricted joints and enhance blood and lymphatic flow. Other common conditions that we can help with are carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, rib subluxations, neck tension, hip impingement & bursitis, circulation problems, headaches, etc.
Paediatrics: labour can sometimes be a traumatic event for mum and baby. This sometimes can cause the baby to be unsettled after birth. Due to the high pressure the baby experiences coming through the birth canal, it can cause tight muscles, restricted joints or uneven shaped heads (plagiocephaly/brachycephaly). Many babies can also have digestive issues, or have a chronic cough or cold. Osteopathy can help greatly to relieve those symptoms. As babies are mainly made up of cartilage we opt for a gentle treatment approach such as cranial osteopathy, fascial unwinding, gentle articulations and stretches. We also give parents advice on how to help their baby at home so they relieve some of their symptoms. Once your little one starts to grow up and are starting to walk, talk, run and explore the world, they will experience many bumps and bruises caused by falls or playing sports. If their pain persists for more than a couple of weeks, we recommend they have a check up as certain joints or muscles might be under strain. Once your children reach teenage years they might start complaining about growing pains, headaches or a back ache caused by poor posture. Very active teenagers might also suffer from sport injuries which we can also help with. Whatever their issue is, we can try and help to relieve some of their symptoms.
Contact Our Osteopathic Clinic in Canterbury
If you are not sure whether or not we can help you, please contact our osteopathic practice via email or phone and we can discuss this further.
Phone: 01227687652
Email: backtohealthosteopathy@gmail.com