Osteopaths are probably best known for treating back pain, but a surprisingly wide range of conditions respond very well to Osteopathic treatment, even IBS, Asthma, and circulatory problems.
We use our hands and eyes to find out how your joints, muscles, and ligaments are working around your bones, and then gently move your body around, to coax out ‘lesions’ (or bits that aren’t moving properly), and restore your body to a position where it can work better. This helps nerves, organs and blood flow to work more efficiently, your own healing ability to kick in, and can feel very relaxing.
Accidents, work stresses, fatigue, old injuries, worry and illness can all create restriction in parts of the body, causing pain and dysfunction.
We use our knowledge of medical diagnosis and expertise in anatomy and body function, to diagnose and treat safely so that even babies may be helped.
The word Osteopathy comes from “Empathy with Bones” – these being about the last part of the body to decompose, and therefore considered by our founder A.T.Still, to be that within us that is closest to nature in their existing form, and therefore least in need of change.
Osteopaths use a range of techniques, but as they run fluidly
into each other, you may not be aware of the distinction between them.
These include;
ARTICULATION; is rhythmically rocking a
joint or muscle to stretch and ease it into a greater range of movement.
STRETCHING; Using positions and
articulation to increase the range of movement in restricted tissues.
Exercises may be recommended to continue the process between treatments.
CLT; Using Combined Leverage and Thrust
Technique, the stuck joint is put into a position that sets it up for
release, then a very controlled, short, sharp, movement is expertly
introduced to surprise it out of the restriction. A “pop” may be heard.
SOFT TISSUE MASSAGE; Involves a variety of
techniques and is applied to soft tissues (i.e not bones). These aim to
reduce and release areas of fibrosis, tension, swelling, congestion,
spasm or contracture, arising from injury or tension, scarring or
chemical change.
Methods used include effleurage, deep friction, petrissage, pressure,
stroking at various speeds and depths.
Carol often uses Shiatsu type massage, involving pressure on
acupuncture points along meridians to release blockages.
MUSCLE ENERGY; A muscle can be persuaded
to lengthen and release by a few moments of resisted, static
contraction, then stretching it whilst still fatigued and less
resistant. The process is usually repeated 3 times in a row, increasing
the amount of stretch each time.
CRANIAL or CRANIO-SACRAL; This is an
extremely gentle technique that uses one of the involuntary movements
of the body to make changes in body function.
The principle behind it is that structure normalises, once correct
function is restored.
It involves the practitioner feeling the head very lightly with their
hands, although other areas may also be treated like this. We work out
which directions the body has difficulty moving in, and coax it back to
normality.
FASCIAL UNWINDING; Is a branch of cranial,
but the involuntary movements become large enough for the patient to
feel. The practitioner follows and supports for example, an arm, as it
moves into positions that allow release of tensions, restriction or
tissue memory that have been hindering its normal functioning.
FUNCTIONAL TECHNIQUE; Finds the position
in which the painful area is most comfortable, and holding it there
until the tissue releases.
STILL TECHNIQUE; Like functional this
technique involves the osteopath finding the position in which the
lesioned tissue is most comfortable, holding it there, and then moving
it into the opposite position whilst tractioned or compressed to avoid
pain.
Age related problems - bunions, fallen arches, joint pain, stiffness, digestive disorders. Read more... (opens new browser window).
Babies - Sleeping or feeding difficulties, head shaking, restlessness, growing pains and shin splints. Read more... (opens new browser window).
Children - hyperactivity, growing pains, bone growth problems e.g scoliosis, osteochondritis.
Injuries - sprains, strains, whiplash.
Neuralgia - pressure on nerves e.g Sciatica.
Pain - from arthritis, rheumatism, injury, overwork.
Pregnancy - easing physical discomfort, preparing for labour, aiding post-natal recovery. Read more... (opens new browser window).
Shortening or hardening of muscles, tendons or other tissue caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy.
Sports injuries - slipped discs, tennis/golfers elbow.
Stress - grief, trauma, overwork, or worry.
Stiffness - from exercise, aging, accident, illness or childbirth.
Tension, anxiety and panic attacks, headaches and shoulder pain, digestive difficulties.
Work injuries - Frozen shoulder, RSI, Carpal tunnel, bursitis.
EEMAN TECHNIQUE
I have recently had a lot of stress in my life. The death of my father and caring for my mother, estrangement from my daughter, alienation from other family members and loss of my job.
I am pro-active in seeking support and finding compassionate people to help me in taking responsibility for my well-being.
Carol began by using the Eeman solo technique with me, explaining as she went its origin, the process, the science behind it and some of the benefits she had herself experienced in using it.
It has proved to be a very effective technique for me. It is still early days but some of the benefits so far have been:
I would recommend this technique as a holistic self-help tool. My experience is that Carol's additional skills enhance the process and take it to a deeper level of effectiveness.
Joan Kendall www.soulweaving.co.uk
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Last winter, after filming an episode of 'Life of Riley' for TV, I was struck down very suddenly with pain and swelling in both hands. I simply couldn't move them.
Well, just because I'm 88, I don't want to have to stop acting, so I called Carol (as I have at intervals over the last 24 years). She used cranial technique and gradually built up to gently massaging and moving my hands, until the pain lessened enough for me to be able to use them again.
It turned out to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Between Carol and my homeopath, its under control – and Carol said that osteopaths arn't supposed to be able to help with RA.
The massage also helped when my legs swelled up with the same affliction.
Once it had cleared, Carol notices some seed corns on the soles of my feet. I'd had no idea they'd been causing the pain which had stopped me from walking.
It's lovely to be rid of them, as I'm off to Birmingham to work now, and can move about without pain.
Eileen Essel (Actress)
Scarring
I visited Carol because I had pain around the bottom edge of my ribs, and taking pain was just making me feel ill.
Surgery for lung, liver and bowel cancer had left me large scars on my tummy, and it appears these were tight and causing me pain.
Carol worked on these gradually and gently with massage and cranial osteopathy, until the pain eased. We also discussed diet and supplements, and other things I could do to help myself.
After 3 sessions the pain would stay away for up to 6 months at a time, and I just need top up treatments to keep it under control.
EJ
July 2010
Post Operative Scar Tissue
I consulted Carol as I had daily head aches and neck pain, which were wearing me down.
Surgical breast reconstruction had left a scar across my abdomen which appeared to have contracted and shortened the front of my body slightly.
This was making the muscles on the back of my neck and upper back work too hard to hold me up straight, and they were getting chronically tired and sore from trying.
Cranial osteopathy, massage, articulation and stretching gave some relief, and Carol recommended taking up yoga to maintain the benefit.
S.S. 2005