What kind of problems does osteopathic treatment help?

Osteopathy places considerable emphasis on the sound bio-mechanical function of the body and together with its distinctly gentle and safe manual treatment makes it especially valuable in treating a large range of orthopaedic and rheumatic problems. These include the many and varied degenerative disorders of the neck, back, shoulders and limbs as well as the disability and pain arising from injuries and strain.

Because of the safety of the osteopathic manipulative treatment the patient can be as young as a new born infant, requiring help following injury to the neck or shoulder consequent to a forceps delivery, as well as an elderly patient suffering the pain and disability of a fall or osteoporosis.

However, the treatment of injury and disease of the musculoskeletal system is only a part of the extensive field of Osteopathic Medicine. The profound effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment on the body's immune system enables the osteopath to help treat, for example, many of the common infections of childhood, minimizing the need for antibiotics. Similarly, elderly patients suffering, for example, from chest infections can be significantly helped by the special osteopathic procedures that help mobilize the chest cage and affect the blood and nerve supply to the lungs.

Just two more of the many fields of medicine in which Osteopathy has come to play a valued role are those of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, often helping to ease pregnancy and labour as well relieving period pains and the symptoms of menopause.

For the benefit of the reader here is a partial list of complaints to which osteopathic treatment can be applied:

• MINOR ORTHOPAEDICS:
  • Back pain: disc injuries, arthritic changes, joint strains
  • Sciatica: pain down the back of the whole leg (from buttock to ankle)
  • Neck pain and stiffness: including "trapped nerves"
  • Headaches
  • Shoulder pain: eg rotator cuff syndrome, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) bicipital tendonitis
  • "Whiplash" injuries
  • Wrist pain: repetitive strain syndrome/carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Hip pain: including early osteoarthritis
  • Knee pain: including meniscal strains and tears
  • Foot and ankle pain and stiffness: eg fatigue pain from flattened arches
     
• SPORTS INJURIES:
  • Elbow pain: eg "tennis" and "golfers" elbow
  • Sprained ankles
  • Bursitis
     
• OBSTETRIC AND GYNECOLOGICAL DISORDERS:
  • Pregnancy-related pain.
  • Menstrual pain
     
• PAEDIATRIC PROBLEMS:
  • Childhood infections including glue-ear.
  • Gastric reflux; colic; scoliosis
     
• ADULT AND GERIATRIC INFECTIONS
   

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