Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a discreet medical speciality which 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, 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 and sports injuries.  Our Osteopaths use physical therapy combined with electrotherapy with 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.  Responsibility is ultimately returned to the patient in terms of exercise and lifestyle.  Professional advice concerning this helps the patient maintain this recovered state of optimal health, with the Osteopath remaining as a source of ongoing support and direction as required.

The Putney Clinic works closely with Doctors and Consultants.  This involves 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.  Both Osteopaths and Physiotherapists work together closely and will often inter-refer if they feel it would be appropriate. 

Manual Therapy used in Osteopathy

  • Mobilisation - a more 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 either manual or mechanical.

What can Osteopathy help?

Lower neck and back pain
Headaches and migraines
Disc injuries including sciatica
Arthritis
Sports injuries
Post-traumatic injuries - Whiplash
Shoulder conditions - Rotator cuff syndrome
Stress related disorders.
Muscle tension and tears

What can Osteopathy do for the sportsperson?

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.