How does Osteopathy work?
Osteopathy works on the principle that the body functions as a whole, and that its structure (bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, fascia) and function (how those systems work together) are closely linked. If one part of the body is restricted or out of balance, it can affect the whole system.
The Osteopathic manual therapist will choose techniques depending on the patient’s need, his body type, his age, the amount of energy he has, and the past injuries that lead to his symptoms.
There are many different branches of Osteopathy, including Structural, Visceral, and Cranial Osteopathy, each with their own sub-techniques of practice and rely on their own specific Osteopathic manipulations.
Structural Osteopathy:
Structural techniques deal with joints, bones, ligaments, and muscles of the body. They include a variety of gentle manipulations, from restoring balance in the joints of the body, to muscle energy techniques where the patient actively corrects the dysfunction with his muscles.
Structural osteopathy is the better known and most common part of osteopathy. Structural osteopathy describes the diagnosis and treatment of dysfunctions in the musculoskeletal system. It is based on the principle that structure and function are related, if the structure is not balanced then the function becomes affected causing ‘dysfunction’.
Symptoms arise when your body must deal with too much compensation which leads to ‘decompensation’. Your problem could be caused by other decompensations elsewhere in your body. For example, foot pain leading to walking with a limp, which if combined with back or pelvic stiffness can lead to decompensation and pain in the low back or hip?
The techniques used in structural osteopathy are normally manipulative, spinal and or soft tissue. Structural osteopathy usually focuses on stretching muscles and mobilising your joints. Osteopaths may also adjust your joints using manipulative techniques. Manipulation may have beneficial effects, especially for back pain, helping you to a faster return to ordinary movement and activity.
Your Osteopathic manual therapist will also be able to give you stretches, breathing exercises, strengthening exercises, and advice to help your body get better faster.
Structural osteopathy is effective in treating:
Generalised Aches & Pains
Arthritic pain
Circulatory problems
Cramp
Digestion problems
Joint pains, lumbago
Sciatica
Muscle spasms
Neuralgia
Fibromyalgia
Inability to relax
Rheumatic pain
Minor sports/dance injuries & tensions
Joint Pains: hip & knee pain from osteoarthritis
General, acute & chronic backache/ back pain
Uncomplicated mechanical neck pain
Headache arising from the neck (cervicogenic)
Migraine prevention
Frozen shoulder / shoulder and elbow pain / tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis
Cranial Osteopathy:
This branch of Osteopathy deals with the skull, the central nervous system, and the cerebrospinal fluid that, together, link the mind and body as a unit.
The human skull is made of bone, but it’s not a single solid piece. It’s actually formed from 22 separate bones that are joined together (most by immovable joints called sutures). These bones are linked together by sutures that protect a complex part of your nervous system comprised of the brain, vessels, nerves, and membranes of tension. They are attached inside the skull and it is very important that these structures move properly.
An Osteopathic manual therapist will be able to feel the connective tissues, the bones, and the elasticity of their connections though a very developed tactile sense.
Using a very gentle touch, we will help the zones of your body that have become defective to function to their full potential once again. The patient will feel the soft touch of the practitioner, and sometimes feel some heat or fluidic movement from the tensions melting away gradually.
Patients will often feel their body release, and access a deep relaxing state during the treatment. After the treatment, patients will notice a general improvement in their health, in their energy levels, their sleep quality, and often in symptoms they didn’t come in for in the first place.
Cranial Osteopathy therapy can help you with
Head Injuries or Concussions
Falls, bumps, or car accidents may leave subtle restrictions in the cranial bones or surrounding tissues.
Chronic Stress & Tension
Emotional or physical stress can tighten muscles and connective tissue around the skull, jaw, and neck.
Postural Imbalances
Misalignments in the spine or pelvis may create compensations that affect the cranial system.
Dental or Jaw Issues (TMJ dysfunction)
Jaw tension or orthodontic treatment can create strains transmitted through the skull bones.
Other Contributing Factors
Repetitive strain injuries
Chronic sinus congestion
Neck and back strain
Nervous system imbalance
Visceral Osteopathy:
Visceral osteopathy (also called visceral manipulation) is a branch of osteopathy that focuses on the gentle, manual treatment of the body’s internal organs (viscera) such as the stomach, liver, intestines, bladder, lungs, and uterus.
The idea is that just like joints and muscles, the organs also need to move freely. They naturally shift with breathing, posture, and body movement. If they become restricted by tension, scar tissue, poor posture, or stress, this can disturb their function and also create pain in surrounding structures.
Visceral Osteopathy will help the organs in your guts, your chest, and your pelvis in order to find your way back to health.
The Osteopath will assess:
your chest with your heart, lungs, and part of your air tract and digestive tract in your neck
your abdomen and all the organs and viscera it contains
your pelvis with the colon, the bladder (and prostate for men), and for women: their gynecologic system
Did you know that lower back pain is often caused by your gut?
People are often surprised to learn that their lower back pain is being caused by digestive problems. Conversely, lower back problems can cause gut problems.
How do we help your guts?
by rebalancing the ligaments holding the organs
by working with their connection to the diaphragm, which is a pressure regulator between the thorax (rib cage) and the abdomen
by loosening up the envelope or ligaments holding the organ, which will help increase its function
by treating the bones (back, ribs, pelvis) where the guts are attached
The combination of these three approaches, our Osteopathic manual therapist will be able to use the right technique to best treat the root of your health problem.