About osteopathy

Most people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives, for some this is an acute episode whilst for others it can be a long and exhausting chronic problem. Although your body has a great ability to adapt and cope with the strains and stresses of life, eventually something can give. Usually this event is a trigger as a result of other long-term issues, not just a one-off problem and very often back pain can be retraced to a previous accident or trauma that may have occurred many years ago.

As osteopaths we recognise the importance of not only treating the initial pain, but also working to find the underlying causes as well. We use osteopathic techniques to release the retained stresses of past injuries in order to reduce the chance of a problem occurring again. We also advise patients on things they can do themselves to help prevent a recurrence, such as exercises and posture.

There are many common events which can contribute to trauma or injury, including, heavy or repeated lifting, childbirth, sedentary jobs, falls or car accidents. Even factors such as physical exertion, illness or emotional stress can leave a mark and have a debilitating effect on the body. We work with you to realign your body, not only to relieve your pain and improve the original problem but also to give you better overall health.

Despite its name, cranial techniques are used throughout the body, not just the head. By using cranio-sacral osteopathy we aim to correct strain patterns and improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage. It is often noticed by patients that this form of treatment not only reduces the initial symptoms they presented with, but also they feel generally better and more balanced. 

Cranio-sacral osteopathy is a very mild form of treatment; this means it is particularly useful in treating babies, children and the elderly and infirm. At these stages of life the body is much more fragile and where stronger techniques would not be appropriate, cranial osteopathy can help to release strains in a safe and successful way. 

At the Point of Health we are able to tailor the treatment specifically to your needs. This is because not only are all our osteopaths highly skilled, but they each specialise in different areas, allowing us to create the best care plan for you. Some of these specialities include paediatrics, sports injuries and dental realignment. We find that patients particularly come for cranial treatment for the following reasons: 

Pregnancy is a time when women are much more aware of their bodies, it is also a time of huge physical, emotional and hormonal changes and it produces the largest postural change that a woman’s body will undergo. These changes all take place in a relatively short period of time and can cause a lot of strain that the body is not used to coping with. 

For many women, pregnancy means having to cope with a whole range of symptoms, from morning sickness to back pain. As the baby grows within the womb its extra weight will affect the body from week to week, altering your centre of gravity and creating postural changes. Aches and pains in the upper back and neck can also be caused by the increase in breast weight. All of this change in weight can place a great physical stress on the body as a whole, and your body will find ways to adapt to this pressure. However as you adjust to new ways of walking, sitting and sleeping, this can lead to new aches and pains. 

For many years osteopaths have used their skills to help relive the aches and pains caused by the weight and postural changes that occur during and after pregnancy. Osteopathy can help you cope with these changes and ease the physical strains so that you are in the best position when it comes to delivery. We can also give you advice on posture and exercise during pregnancy. 

We find that patients come to see us for the following problems: 

Labour and childbirth can be a traumatic time for your body, but again osteopathy can help to reduce the damage. Using osteopathic technique we can relive the strains that may have occurred during labour, in particular the effect on the back and pelvis areas. However childbirth doesn’t just put a strain on your body, it can also affect your baby, especially if the birth is difficult. Your baby may continue to suffer from the after effects of delivery long past birth so we strongly recommend an osteopathic check-up for your newborn to avoid future problems. Osteopathy for babies is completely safe and extremely gentle.

Over the years your body will have been through many things and traumatic events may have left strain patterns. These can gradually create a focus of pain in a vulnerable area, we find this is often the lower back and hips or neck and shoulders. These areas usually respond very well to osteopathy so for some only a few treatments are needed, whilst for others a regular visit every few months is enough to maintain flexibility. We can also advise on gentle stretching exercises to incorporate into your daily routine that will help to keep your body healthy and active.