Osteopathy

Mr Bevis Nathan on Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

In a nutshell, osteopaths are trained to deal with pain ? in any part of the body, from any mechanical (or kinetic) source; muscle, tendon, ligament, membrane, bone, cartilage, nerves ? even blood vessels themselves can generate pain (as in migraine, for example).

Osteopathy is an approach to health-care which always takes into consideration the function of the whole body and the whole person.

I look especially at the ways in which different parts of the body depend upon one another for integrated, harmonious functioning.

I recognise how the mind influences the body's functioning (think how stress causes body-tension), and how dysfunction in the body affects the mind (you can?t feel good in yourself when your body isn?t comfortable).

The effect of osteopathic treatment is to release areas of restriction, improve mobility and blood flow, and correct imbalance. This improves our sense of well-being, and overall vitality.

In the UK osteopathy has become known mainly for the treatment of backache, but it was originally invented as a form of primary health care. That is, it was used to treat most of the simple problems with which patients usually consulted their family doctor.

Using hands-on treatment, osteopaths try to promote free and full function of all body tissues, and improve the blood circulation and nerve activity throughout the whole body. With free and full blood circulation, normalised nerve activity, and good joint functioning, it?s amazing how well the body heals itself.

This is a tailor-made service. Each patient is unique. I?m looking at your body and your lifestyle ? not some textbook normal.

The 1993 Osteopaths Act gave osteopaths registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) a similar legal status as doctors and dentists; protecting patients by regulating education and professional standards. Osteopathy was the first ?alternative medicine? to be given statutory self-regulation in this country. It is a well-established system of healthcare.

Why would you come to see me?

• I can tell you why you are getting pain and discomfort and what you need to do about it.
• I can tell you what signs of stress your body is showing.
• I can tell you what signs of fatigue your body is showing.
• I can tell you what consequences of previous trauma are still affecting your body.
• I can tell you how much wear-and-tear, that is, how much osteo-arthritic change is in each joint in your body ? from your toes to your jaw. For example, I can tell you whether you need a hip-replacement, or how likely you are to need one in the future.

Check-ups

We think nothing of a six-monthly check-up with the dentist, but this is only for our teeth, a small part of our anatomy. The rest of the body is usually taken completely for granted.

Osteopaths recommend an osteopathic check-up once or twice a year, sometimes more frequently. This is especially sensible if you?re repeatedly straining your body with, for example, powerful sport, but also by prolonged sitting with poor posture and too little regular exercise.

How does your body work?

If you think about it, we live our lives by running, walking, talking, building, writing, holding, loving - doing things. There isn't a single human activity you can think of which isn't expressed through the muscle system. Yet most of us all but ignore the muscular system until it seriously lets us down.

I wonder if, instead, we are far too interested in the internal organs - heart, kidneys, stomach, intestines, liver, bladder, lungs, spleen, uterus, etc - in other words, disease of the ?giblets?.

But we don?t exactly live our lives by absorbing food, pumping and filtering blood, exchanging gases and ten thousand chemical reactions! We need these organs, sure, they are ?vital?, but they exist to serve our muscular systems. That is what they are for.

The musculoskeletal system is the Primary Machinery. It uses more blood and energy than all the other organs put together.

The organ (?giblet?) system is the back-up machinery ? it provides for the muscles.

In general, if you use the muscular system well ? vigorously but thoughtfully, regularly, frequently, and with attention to rest - the back-up tends to remain healthy. Obviously, there are exceptions to this.

An osteopathic check up can assess how this musculoskeletal system of yours is functioning, and how the overall body economy is being strained by the way you live your life. It is the essential MOT.

What happens when you go to an osteopath?

On the first visit I take a full case history of all the details of your problem and any other relevant medical information such as previous injuries and general health. Then there?s a physical examination where your posture will be examined as well as your general flexibility, joint mechanics, muscle function, and tissue texture.

So basically, I can provide an in-depth physical examination of every major joint and muscle system in the body.

I examine movement, the effects of trauma, wear and tear, disease, repeated strain, and more.

If necessary, I?ll test the function of your nervous system and check your blood pressure. If I think other tests such as x-rays or blood tests need to be done, I?ll ask your GP or another member of the New Medicine Group to do this.

If I think I can help, then I?ll explain and discuss a plan of treatment with you, so you?ll be able to decide whether or not it?s for you.

Normally your first consultation will last about an hour; more complicated problems may take more time; simpler ones less. Follow-up consultations normally last about 30-45 minutes.

Will I need to undress?

I normally ask you to undress down to underwear, because I need to examine your whole body?s muscular and joint system, and often other tissues, in some detail. Occasionally this may not be necessary. If you don?t wish to undress fully, or if you?d like a chaperone during the consultation, please tell me in advance. It is, however, more difficult to make a proper osteopathic examination of a clothed patient.

What kind of treatment will you receive?

Osteopaths draw from a wide range of manual bodywork techniques. These include deep massage-like techniques to relax and stretch muscle groups and contracted areas of the body; rhythmic movement of joints to improve their function; manipulation techniques to release restricted joints; and gentle holding techniques including so called cranial osteopathy (see below) - particularly suitable for children and babies or the elderly or anxious patients. I use ?body-tracking? techniques such as Somatic Experiencing (SE) for cases where there is evidence of unresolved previous trauma and shock.

As well as advice and counselling on how to prevent your problem happening again, I may show you appropriate exercises, from strength-training and stretching exercises, to breathing and relaxation exercises.