Osteopathy is a complete drug free system of medicine, that uses the practicioners skilled hands and advanced anatomical knowledge to balance the body. This restores normal nerve and blood flow, removes abnormal tensions and maximises the bodies own healing mechanisms. In doing so it cures pain and most other symptoms, while also preventing the onset of more serious conditions. How this is done varies but I tend to use Cranial Osteopathy. By working in a holistic and individually focused way, problems are addressed at the root, very often producing better and longer lasting results than drug based medicine or other physical therapies.
The name Osteopathy can be a bit misleading, some think of it as just bone adjusting to help joint and back pain. It actually treats all tissues and systems of the body. All organs, nervous systems, hormone regulators, connective tissues, the lymphatic system, digestive system, reproductive system and brain, can be treated specifically. Osteopathy also provides a unique and holistic understanding of the body and its potent healing potential that 21st century medical science is only slowly catching up with.
Cranial Osteopathy
This is the gentlest and deepest working form of osteopathy. It is particularly suited to babies and children due to it's gentle nature, but it's extreme effectiveness makes it just as good for adults. It works on the whole body and not just the cranium, though some techniques are applied via the head. In addition to releasing physical strain patterns it is excellent at calming the bodies nervous systems and releasing emotional trauma. It uses the bodies own subtle fluctuating rhythm to diagnose and gently tease out problems. While feeling very gentle and relaxing to the patient, it is extremely effective. It also works on an energetic level, acknowledging and attending to the bodies own priorities. It unravels complex strain patterns and improves vitality. It can also be applied in local areas to release and restore normal function to joints, muscles, organs and connective tissues. I would tend to favour this approach, but use whatever is the most effective for an individual.
Structural or Classical Osteopathy
This is a more physical approach, utilising more stretching, trigger points and joint articulation and adjustments. I use it when needed, though only with consent. I use it in a way which uses minimum force and maximum finesse. Patients that have experienced other osteopathic practitioners often comment that I am particularly gentle yet effective in my structural approach.
Effectiveness with minimum extra input is what I aim for, achieving the desired result in the optimum time but keeping reactions to a minimum. With either approach, the tissues addressed are always retested to ensure full release. I also ensure that the connective tissues throughout the body are balanced as a whole, which keeps the changes made as stable as possible.