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Basingstoke Osteopathy

“Wholeness is a core principle of osteopathy.  It is a living truth that challenges us to maintain our dependence on something much greater than ourselves.  Wholeness requires that we maintain a sense of the entire patient and always look for cause. We look at the body in health as meaning perfection and harmony, not in one part, but in the whole.” after A.T. Still MD, DO.  Founder of Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a system of health care that lays emphasis on the structural and mechanical elements of the body. The bones, muscles and joints are collectively known as the musculo-skeletal system, and osteopaths are primarily concerned with how this system can function at an optimal and pain-free level. When the structure of a body is functioning correctly, there should be a minimal amount of wear and stress on these tissues.

Our bodies are subject to many kinds of stress

(for example: physical or emotional) every minute of the day. We are designed to combat these assaults through tissue repair, a healthy immune system, enough sleep and optimal nutrition. It is only when the stress is excessive or when the body's normal defence or repair mechanisms are impaired that symptoms and disease occur. This is when treatment becomes necessary.

By taking a comprehensive case history and examining the body's structure and function, the Osteopath first seeks to establish the source of the symptoms. However, treatment will not only be directed at the symptomatic area, but will also aim to address the factors that may have pre-disposed the mechanical dysfunction. The body can then continue its job of self-healing and tissue repair.

Treatment is usually gentle and should not be painful. Most osteopaths use a combination of soft-tissue massage type techniques; gentle joint articulation and mobilisation, and, if indicated, joint manipulation. Advice on life-style, activities and exercise are also given. 

There are now more than 6,000 Registered Osteopaths working in the UK, performing over 7 million consultations every year.

WHAT HAPPENS ON YOUR FIRST VISIT

A case history will be taken to discover the possible causes of the presenting problem. An osteopathic examination of the relevant parts of your body is then performed which leads to a working diagnosis. 

Once your examination has been completed a decision is made as to whether osteopathic treatment is appropriate for you and if so, what kind of approach is indicated. . 

When osteopathy is not appropriate we can refer you onto a number of other medical or surgical consultants and healthcare practitioners within our network or we may refer you back to your GP. Please note that you are always welcome to bring a friend or relative to accompany you throughout your consultation and treatment. 

OSTEOPATHIC TREATMENT - WHAT TO EXPECT

Osteopathic treatment uses a range of soft tissue and manipulative techniques applied to the muscles, ligaments and joints. Treatment is non-invasive, usually gentle and generally painless. There is sometimes soreness a few hours after the treatment which can last for a while. This is a fairly normal reaction Treatment is usually gentle and should not be painful. Most osteopaths use a combination of soft-tissue massage type techniques; gentle joint articulation and mobilisation, and, if indicated, joint manipulation.

We also prescribe exercises to help keep your spine mobile, on an ongoing basis, using Physitrack. This platform, downloaded as a free app., allows you to use clear simple videos of exercises via you PC or smartphone. We find that this increases our patients ability to maintain an exercise program, always remembering that "the best exercises are the ones that are done."

The benefit of the Physitrack app. is that you can keep in touch with us at any time via encrypted, secure texting or video. We can also keep in touch with you via Physitrack to see how you progress over time,

WHAT CAN OSTEOPATHY TREAT?.

There are lots of benefits from osteopathic treatment including relief of severe pain, improved mobility, and improved levels of wellbeing.

There is now good evidence from trials that osteopathy is as effective as exercise therapy and surgery for low back pain management. The Department of Health and the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) incorporated osteopathy in its Low Back Pain guidelines for 2009

Patients have found osteopathy to be helpful and effective for many other conditions, so please do talk to us about your problem.

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Osteopathy Basingstoke and Mortimer
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