Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy optimises the function of the spine, muscles, joints and connective tissues. In doing so, it aims to positively influence the body’s nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems. Osteopathy addresses the body as a whole and not just the symptomatic area. Without doing this, the source of the problem may not be found and the symptoms could recur.

Osteopaths believe that structure and function are interrelated; this means that from the smallest cell to the largest bone, there is constant movement as it functions. When this movement is impaired, the tissues will not function as intended. Every structure in the body is shaped and positioned in such a way that it can work efficiently and effectively. If this is altered, then other structures have to work harder to compensate. An example of this is, the ankle joint is designed to absorb shock when the heel strikes the ground. If the ankle joint doesn’t move properly, the surrounding tissues in the foot and calf will have to absorb that extra shock travelling through the body. This will eventually cause them to tighten and tire and may cause ankle pain.

Another key principle of osteopathy is that the body will always heal itself. This makes our job easier because all we have to do is provide the body with optimal conditions and the body will do the rest. With the treatment techniques that we use, we aim to restore structural freedom in the tissues, enhance fluid flow throughout the body and create the optimal setting for healing to occur.