Osteopathy

What is osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a hands-on treatment that is based on the philosophy that the body is naturally capable of healing itself. It is a natural methodology in which nothing is added to the body through medication or remedies, and nothing is subtracted through surgery. Instead, the osteopath uses touch to identify and treat problems.

Osteopathy is a holistic approach to treatment. Although it usually targets a specific issue, it relies on the principle that all systems of the body work together as a coherent whole. It is focused on treating underlying causes rather than simply relieving symptoms.

 

What are the benefits?

Osteopathy can benefit people of all ages. It is an effective treatment for many conditions, including the following:

• Headaches, migraines and vertigo
• Pain and limited range of motion in the back, neck and limbs
• Pain and discomfort associated with pregnancy
• Digestive problems such as constipation and reflux
• Infant colic
• Spinal cord defects such as scoliosis and torticollis
• Respiratory conditions including asthma and sinusitis
• Pelvic pain and arthritis

 

How does it work?

Osteopaths use a technique called palpation, which relies on many aspects of touch, including texture, motion, and the ability to distinguish changes in temperature and moisture levels. By palpating the targeted areas of the body, we can assess the quality of the underlying tissues. An experienced osteopath has the ability to pick up on congestion, dehydration, scarring, density and a number of other factors. This information allows us to determine a course of treatment, which will often be a combination of lifestyle changes and targeted manipulation of tissue.