“Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease” – Hippocrates

treatments_osteopathy_therapy_well4ever_london

Well4ever offers osteopathy in South West London. The practice of osteopathy began in the late 1800s in North America. As the name suggests, the practice takes the bone (osteon) as the starting point for which to understand and eradicate physical health problems.

Osteopathy works with the structure of the body and functions according to the belief that an individual’s overall health depends on the correct alignment and function of the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues as a coherent system. Once an osteopath has diagnosed the issue at hand, they use manual therapy to restore the body to its natural state of balance, enhancing blood circulation and nerve supply to the tissues, among other things, thus allowing the body to heal itself. All osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council and cannot use the title ‘osteopath’ unless registered.

Osteopathy is most commonly sought after by people suffering from conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, such as:

  • Generalised aches and pains
  • Arthritic pain
  • Joint pains, including hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis as an adjunct to core OA treatments and exercise
  • General, acute and chronic backache (not arising from injury or accident)
  • Uncomplicated mechanical neck pain
  • Headache arising from the neck and migraine prevention
  • Frozen shoulder, shoulder and elbow pain and tennis elbow (arising from associated musculoskeletal conditions of the back and neck
  • Circulatory problems
  • Cramps
  • Digestive problems
  • Sciatica
  • Muscle spasms
  • Neuralgia
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Rheumatic pain
  • Minor sports injuries and tensions

What to Expect

A number of various manipulation and adjustment techniques are employed in osteopathy, with a combination of gentle and more forceful techniques. Manipulations include massage to release tension in the muscles and promote muscle relaxation; the stretching of joints that are stiff; moving joints through their natural range of motion; and gentle, deftly-administered thrusts to the spine. These adjustments and manipulations aim to provide release from pain, improve mobility, reduce discomfort, encourage blood circulation and generally aid the body in finding homeostasis and optimum well-being. Treatments focused on an inflamed or injured area of the body can produce some short-lived discomfort, but an osteopathy session is otherwise painless.

Osteopaths can also provide advice on posture, diet, ergonomics and exercises specific to your body to implement in your own time to promote health and prevent recurring symptoms.

Osteopathy encourages the body to self heal and does not involve the use of drugs or surgery. It considers the entire human being and focuses on addressing the causes of discomfort or illness rather than the symptoms alone. Osteopathy is appropriate for all ages. Get in touch to book an appointment or if you have any queries about osteopathy at Well4ever clinic in Putney.

References:

  • Early American Manual Therapy. Available.
  • General Osteopathic Council. FAQs. Available.
  • J Stewart, Committee of Advertising Practice. Therapies: Osteopathy. Available.