Our Osteopathic Clinic has full disability access and off road parking facilities.
6 REASONS Why you should come and see us.
1 Are you suffering with a lot of pain?
2 Are you not able to sit for a long period of time whether at work or at home?
3 Do you have frequent breathing problems with Asthma?
4 Does your newborn child not settle due to colic or eczema, etc?
5 Is pain preventing you from following your sport?
6 Do you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Clinic Hours
Monday + Tuesday
8.30am-5.30pm
Wednesday + Thursday
1.00 pm -8pm
Friday
12.00 pm - 7pm
Saturday
8.30 – 1pm
The symptoms of simple back pain often occur suddenly and can be triggered by a particular movement, but the causes may have been building for some time.
Some of the most common causes of stress and strain on the spine include:
· Slouching in chairs
· Driving in hunched positions
· Standing badly
· Lifting incorrectly
· Sleeping on sagging mattresses
· Being unfit
· Generally overdoing it
Inactivity and the wrong sort of movement are usually at the root of simple back pain.
Inactivity makes the muscles go slack so they are unable to support the back properly. This leaves the back more vulnerable to damage when certain movements put too much strain on one area.
Often, the problem is caused by a strain or tear to the muscles, tendons or ligaments around the lower spine. In turn, this can produce painful muscle tension and spasm.
Even a minor problem can cause a lot of pain when you stand, bend or move around. Pain sometimes comes on suddenly, sometimes gradually, but usually it only lasts a few days or up to a week.
People with back problems often talk about having a 'slipped disc'. However, disc problems are uncommon and are never the result of a disc slipping.
Usually, the disc has torn or become distorted (prolapsed or herniated), so it presses against sensitive nerves from the spinal cord.
Sciatica is the name given to pains running down the leg because the sciatic nerve from the spinal cord has been pinched or irritated by damage to the back - sometimes by a prolapsed disc pressing on it.
Spine movement is made possible by joints between the vertebrae consisting of two flat faces, or facets, on the bone. If these degenerate, the two halves of the joint grate against each other, causing inflammation and pain.
Long-term degeneration of the joints makes them less able to withstand physical stress. This wear-and-tear problem affects most of us as we get age and can give rise to pain in some cases.
Many inflammatory diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis, cause the joints to become inflamed and seize up. This can either directly affect the joints in the back or cause problems with other joints that lead to pain in the back.
This bone causes weakness in the bones, so they fracture easily. The bones of the back and neck are often affected and can become compressed.
It's particularly common in post-menopausal women and can be influenced by diet, activity and some medical treatments
Some diseases contribute to back pain and are likely to need long-term treatment. However, they're far less common than minor damage to the back's muscles and ligaments.
The majority of these problems are due to an imbalance in the pelvis, which exerts inappropriate pressures on the spine. Gentle body adjustments will deal with these problems
The heart and blood vessels are collectively responsible for maintaining a continuous flow of blood through the body, known as the circulatory system. This provides all the body tissues with a regular supply of oxygen and nutrients, and carries away carbon dioxide and other waste products. The circulatory system consists of two main parts: the systemic circulation, which constitutes the blood supply to the entire body except the lungs; and the pulmonary circulation, which carries blood to and from the lungs where its supply of oxygen is replenished.
On its journey from the heart to the tissues, blood is forced along the arteries at thigh pressure. On the return journey through the veins back to the heart, it is at low pressure, kept moving by the muscles in the arms and legs compressing the walls of the veins and by valves in the veins preventing the blood from flowing backwards. Lack of exercise or a sedentary lifestyle may therefore be at the root of circulatory problems.
Poor circulation may also be the result of compression on certain parts of the body which can often be alleviated by classical osteopathy. Symptoms of poor circulation can range from Raynaud’s disease through varicose veins to chest pains and leg pains in cases of severe arteriosclerosis (thickening and loss of elasticity of the artery walls). Poor circulation is particularly prevalent in those who are overweight or who drink too much alcohol. Heavy smokers are advised to cut down because nicotine reduces the blood circulation in the skin.
· Digestive Disorders
· IBS is a troublesome digestive disorder which results in a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including abdominal discomfort, bloating and pain. It is often accompanied by irregular bowel movements which can be either diarrhoea or constipation, or both alternating. The problem is usually due to a lack of coordination betwwen certain parts of the spine, and usuallycab be alleviated by osteopathy
· can also occur when there is excessive secretion of fluid into the bowel that overwhelms the ability of the gut to reabsorb the secreted fluid and salts. Some laxative drugs have this effect although the most common cause relates to infection with bacteria that produce proteins (enterotoxins) that stimulate gut secretion. In some situations acute diarrhoea may occur as a result of a combination of both mechanisms.
· Diarrhoea may result when the bowel contents move too rapidly through the gut to allow sufficient time for absorption. Anxiety and some drugs can cause diarrhoea in this way. Bowel frequency is sometimes increased in people with irritable bowel syndrome. However, there is no increase in stool volume which distinguishes it from acute diarrhoea, when stool volume is increased.
· Usually caused by the stomach producing an excess of acid.
· Ulcerative Colitis/Chrohns Disease
·
. Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis, a disease of the intestine, specifically the large intestine or colon, that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores, in the colon. The main symptom of active disease is usually constant diarrhea mixed with blood, of gradual onset. Ulcerative colitis is, however, believed to have a systemic etiology that leads to many symptoms outside the intestine. Because of the name, IBD is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome ("IBS"), a troublesome, but much less serious condition. Ulcerative colitis has similarities to Crohn's disease, another form of IBD. Ulcerative colitis is an intermittent disease, with periods of exacerbated symptoms, and periods that are relatively symptom-free. Although the symptoms of ulcerative colitis can sometimes diminish on their own, the disease usually requires treatment to go into remission.
All bowel problems are treatable, the problems exist throughout the body, blocking blood and nerve flow leading to a diseased state.
Asthma is a very common chronic disease involving the respiratory system in which the airways constrict, become inflamed, and are lined with excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to one or more triggers. These episodes may be triggered by such things as exposure to an environmental stimulant such as an allergen, environmental tobacco smoke, cold or warm air, perfume, pet dander, moist air, exercise or exertion, or emotional stress. In children, the most common triggers are viral illnesses such as those that cause the common cold. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The airway constriction responds to bronchodilators. Between episodes, most patients feel well but can have mild symptoms and they may remain short of breath after exercise for longer periods of time than the unaffected individual. The symptoms of asthma, which can range from mild to life threatening, can usually be controlled with a combination of drugs and environmental changes.
Treatment begins a process of changing the mechanics of the body, to improve nerve and blood drainage, thus improving breathing.
Allergic rhinitis triggered by the pollens of specific seasonal plants is commonly known as 'hay fever', because it is most prevalent during haying season. It is particularly prevalent from late May to the end of June (in the Northern Hemisphere). However, it is possible to suffer from hay fever throughout the year. The pollen which causes hay fever varies from person to person and from region to region; generally speaking, the tiny, hardly visible pollens of wind-pollinated plants are the predominant cause. Pollens of insect-pollinated plants are too large to remain airborne and pose no risk.
The cause of hayfever is associated with blood flow to nerves that control the mucus membranes, and begins in the upper neck; treatment consisting of gentle allignment will cure the problem.
Headaches can be a problem for many people, and have a variety of causes, these can be stress, bad posture, sitting incorrectly at the computer, driving long distances, these will all give some degree of neck discomfort; or more organic problems that involve disease.
Treatment will again begin to unravel the different layers that have built up over the years, to bring relief.
Who gets neck pain and what are the causes?
Neck pain is common. More than half of people develop a bout of neck pain at some time in their life. One survey done in the UK found that, of adults aged 45-75 years, about 1 in 4 women and about 1 in 5 men had current neck pain. Types and causes of neck pain include:
· 'Mechanical' neck pain is the most common type. This is sometimes called 'simple'
or 'non-specific' neck pain. Causes include minor injuries or sprains to muscles
or ligaments in the neck. Bad posture is also a common cause. For example, neck pain
is more common in people who spend much of their working day at a desk with a 'bent-forward'
posture. Often the exact cause or origin of the pain is not known.
· A whiplash injury, most commonly due to a car crash, causes neck pain, this requires
treatment, as ongoing problems will persisist.
· Acute (sudden onset) primary torticollis. This is sometimes called 'wry neck'.
A torticollis is when the head becomes twisted to one side and it is very painful
to move the head back straight. Most cases are thought to be due to a minor injury
or poor posture while sleeping which causes one or more muscles on one side of the
neck to go into 'spasm'. The pain and spasm will require treatment. Occasionally,
torticollis is due to more serious causes.
Degeneration ('wear and tear') of the spinal bones (vertebrae) and the 'discs' between the vertebrae is a common cause in older people. This is sometimes called cervical spondylosis.
What are the symptoms of common mechanical neck pain?
Pain develops in the neck and may spread to the base of the skull and shoulders. Movement of the neck may make the pain worse. The pain may spread down an arm to a hand or fingers. This is due to irritation of a nerve going to the arm from the spinal cord in the neck.
Some numbness or pins and needles may occur in part of the arm or hand. It is best to consult your osteopath if these symptoms occur as they may indicate a problem with a nerve in the neck.
Frozen shoulder is a common condition that affects the ability to move the shoulder. It is also referred to as adhesive capsulitis.
Frozen shoulder causes stiffness and pain in the shoulder, which reduces normal movement in the joint. In some cases, it can prevent movement in the shoulder altogether. Usually, only one shoulder is affected, although in approximately one in five cases the condition spreads to the other shoulder.
Most cases of frozen shoulder occur in people between the ages of 40 and 60, and it is more common in women than in men.
The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not fully understood, although it is more common among people who have diabetes or heart disease. However, frozen shoulder is not related to arthritis, and other joints are not affected.
There are several forms of treatment for frozen shoulder, osteopathy will begin to undo the adhesions and improve mobility. Recovery can be slow and symptoms can last for several years, if not treated.
Dysmenorrhea is a medical condition characterized by severe uterine pain during menstruation. While most women experience minor pain during menstruation, dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when the pain is so severe as to limit normal activities, or require medication.
Dysmenorrhea can feature different kinds of pain, including sharp, throbbing, dull, nauseating, burning, or shooting pain. Dysmenorrhea may precede menstruation by several days or may accompany it, and it usually subsides as menstruation tapers off. Dysmenorrhea may coexist with excessively heavy blood loss, known as menorrhagia.
Secondary dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when symptoms are attributable to an underlying disease, disorder, or structural abnormality either within or outside the uterus. Primary dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when none of these are detected.
Relief is gained by balancing the body, many twists are exhibited through the pelvis, either as a result of childbirth or indeed from birth. These can bring about an imbalance between hormones, blood and nerve flow.
Fibromyalgia, meaning muscle and connective tissue pain, is a disorder classified by the presence of chronic widespread pain and a heightened and painful response to gentle touch. Other core features of the disorder include debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness. In addition, persons affected by the disorder frequently experience a range of other symptoms that involve multiple body systems, including difficulty with swallowing functional bowel and bladder abnormalities, difficulty breathing, diffuse sensations of numbness and tingling, abnormal motor activity and cognitive dysfunction. An increased prevalence of affective and anxiety-related symptoms is also well known.While the criteria for such an entity have not yet been thoroughly developed, the recognition that fibromyalgia involves more than just pain has led to the frequent use of the term "fibromyalgia syndrome".Not all affected persons experience all the symptoms associated with the greater syndrome.
Rheumatic pain or fibromyalgia is caused by a complete imbalance in the body. Circulation, nerve and blood restrictions all lead to muscle aches and pains. These can be chronic debilitating conditions.
Relief is at hand, your body needs adjusting, slowly unravalling the compressions and twists and turns in the skeleton.
As a runner of many years, the importance of staying injury free is paramount to training. Many injuries are caused by rotations within the pelvic girdle. This throws a mechanical imbalance into the legs; affecting hamstrings, quads, knees and ankles. When the body is restored to balance, injuries will begin to repair themselves. We deal with sportman and women from all over the country, and from all different sports.
During pregnancy the body undergoes many changes, and these can bring about pain and discomfort. The pelvic girdle must remain stable, complications such as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) can arise. This will cause considerable pain and can have implications on your choice of birth. This is easily prevented by adjusting the pelvis and body, and maintainng this throughout the pregnancy.
Depending on the labour, the majority of children are born with twists and turns in the pelvis and spine. This presents itself initially as colic, restless nights and constant infections and sometimes eczema. As the child begins to grow, this can change into behaviour problems and difficulty in learning at school.
These problems are easily overcome, a gentle adjustment changes these problems, usually very quickly, depending on the age of the child, and how long the condition has existed.