written by Laurie Melrose-Doering, Osteopath
This article gives a list of conditions treated by osteopaths and an explanation as to why osteopathy can treat such a wide range of medical problems.
What is osteopathy? Probably more than you think
As osteopaths, we treat a wide range of health issues, with many of these being musculoskeletal (i.e. muscles, bones, ligaments, and other soft tissues). But osteopathy is not limited to just these tissues alone. This is because osteopaths treat the body as a whole and therefore influence the body as a whole.
I am still fascinated by some interrelationships between different areas of the body and enjoy using Applied Kinesiology muscle testing to show patients how different parts are connected. Most patients are astonished when I show that cranial bones can effect pelvic bones, and certain muscles are influenced by certain organs through their respective meridians.
The human body is compelling and appears to hold secrets that we are not always able to explain. And it seems that osteopathy is able to help with such a wide range of conditions because it uses a patient-centred approach, and takes these interrelationships into consideration. My blog post “What makes Osteopathy special?” provides further reading.
Why Osteopathy can treat so many conditions
The body has a tremendous capacity for dampening down pain over time. Many patients with significant symptoms simply get better without any intervention. This is because our bodies are fantastic at compensating.
For example, a functionally shorter leg on the left can be compensated for by a right side-bend of the lumbar spine. And this is useful, because it allows the body to function despite local dysfunctions or asymmetries.
Problems arise, however, when there are too many dysfunctions requiring a significant number of compensations. At some point, the body will struggle to cope because it has run out of compensatory mechanisms. This is when bigger problems can arise – it is like the “last straw that breaks the camel’s back”.
We will treat the many subtle dysfunctions that collectively bring on a patient’s symptoms. So, a previous ankle injury can lead to knee or hip problems further down the line; a neck issue can lead to shoulder problems because the nerve supply to the shoulder muscles arises in the neck; or a poor diet, lack of sleep, and over-reliance on anti-inflammatories can lead to slow natural tissue healing – so whatever the underlying causes are, as osteopaths we use our diagnostic skills – I find functional muscle testing extremely valuable – to find and treat them, so you can return to health.
A senior lecturer at the college I trained at once told me that “we can treat many more things than most osteopaths think – not cure, but treat”. And from what I have experienced, I think there is a lot of truth in that.
What do Osteopaths treat:
• low back pain and neck pain
• sciatica, nerve pain
• arthritis (osteoarthritis)
• pre- and post-natal muscle and joint pain
• headaches and migraine
• sports Injuries
• generalized aches and pains
• repetitive strain injuries (RSI), postural pain
• joint pain (shoulder, elbow, hand/wrist, hip, knee, foot/ankle)
• frozen shoulder
• tendonitis, tendinopathy
• muscle spasm
• pain management
• tennis and golfer’s elbow
• whiplash and car accident trauma
• plantar fasciitis
This list is by no means exhaustive because our approach means that we treat the person – not the condition – and address all the factors that contribute to your issue.
To book an Osteopathy appointment in New Malden or in Marylebone, phone 020 8942 3148 or contact Aston Clinic London.
Aston Clinic London is a third-generation complementary health clinic based in New Malden and serves the local areas of Kingston, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Surbiton, Chessington, Worcester Park, Sutton and other areas of southwest London and Surrey.
Aston Clinic London also offers Osteopathy and Herbal Medicine in Marylebone, Central London.
