The Putney Clinic

Osteopathy is a discreet medical speciality that recognises the importance of the link between the structure of the human body and the way it functions. The treatment was founded in America in 1874 by Dr Andrew Taylor Still with the first school being set up in 1892. The fundamentals of Osteopathy, massage and manipulation can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and other civilisations.

Osteopaths focus on the body's skeleton and joint function along with the underlying muscles, soft tissue and internal organs. They work with their hands, using techniques such as deep massage, manipulation and mobilisation to treat conditions like back pain, sciatica, repetitive strain injury and sports injuries. Our Osteopaths at The Putney Clinic, use physical therapy combined with electrotherapy and have a strong emphasis on rehabilitation and strengthening exercises.

It is the work of an Osteopath to recognise and diagnose the cause of symptoms, eliminating by a thorough medical examination any pathology which requires further referral, and set about the process of restoring a degree of healthy functioning to the whole body by means of 'hands-on' treatment and deeply intuitive care.

From here, responsibility is ultimately returned to the patient in terms of exercise and lifestyle. However, at The Putney Clinic we offer a series of on-going preventative and wellbeing services including equipment-based Clinical Pilates and a range of Yoga & Pilates mat-based classes. So with professional advice concerning your on-going health, lifestyle and general wellbeing, we can help you to maintain this recovered state of optimal health, with your Osteopath remaining as a source of on-going support and direction as required.



Furthermore, The Putney Clinic works closely with Doctors and Consultants and this can involve communications regarding management programmes, medication prescriptions, and/or whether any further investigation is required in the form of x-rays, MRI scans or an orthopaedic opinion. Also, our Osteopaths and Physiotherapists, here at The Putney Clinic, work together closely and will often inter-refer if they feel it would be appropriate.

Mobilisation
A gentle technique to loosen stiff joints and ease painful joints.

Manipulation
A high velocity thrust technique with minimal range of motion, used to help loosen a stiff joint.

Soft-tissue Techniques
Massage, deep tissue, trigger point and muscle energy techniques.

Traction
A gentle stretching technique than can be either manual or mechanical.

• Lower neck and back pain
• Headaches and migraines
• Disc injuries including sciatica
• Arthritis
• Sports injuries
• Post-traumatic injuries (e.g. whiplash)
• Shoulder conditions (e.g. rotator cuff syndrome)
• Stress related disorders
• Muscle tension and tears

Mobility of the body is of the utmost importance to the sportsperson. Poor flexibility in the joints and muscles will prevent the body from performing at its optimum and is often a contributory element to injury. 

By assessing the posture and condition of those structures which make the human body a dynamic machine (the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues), the Osteopath is able to promote a rapid recovery from injury.

Osteopathy can help prevent as well as treat injuries. It is particularly effective for sports that require controlled body mechanics such as golf and tennis.

Cranial Osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of osteopathic treatment that encourages the release of stresses and tensions throughout the body including the head. It is a gentle and extremely effective approach that may be used in a wide range of conditions for people of all ages, from birth to old age.

The technique uses very light pressure to evaluate ease of motion and rhythm, and through this mechanism can activate the body’s natural corrective healing mechanisms.

While it can be highly effective at relieving symptoms cranial osteopathy aims to treat the whole person not just the condition, so a very wide range of situations may benefit from treatment.

These may include back and neck pain, joint pain and sports injuries, headaches, migraines and sinus problems, stress, recurrent infection, period pain, digestive difficulties, and treatment may also benefit general health and wellbeing.

It is particularly effective in treating babies and young children, with problems such as colic, sleeplessness, glue ear and birth trauma.