Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy and how can it help?

Osteopathy is a way of detecting, treating and preventing health problems by moving, stretching and massaging a person’s muscles and joints.

Osteopathy is based on the principle that the wellbeing of an individual depends on their bones, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue functioning smoothly together.

Osteopaths use physical manipulation, stretching and massage with the aim of:

  • increasing the mobility of joint

  • relieving muscle tension

  • enhancing the blood supply to tissues

  • helping the body to heal

At Harrogate Osteopathic Clinic, we believe that our experienced osteopaths can aid recovery from many and varied conditions including:

  • Neck pain: This includes acute and chronic pain in the neck.

  • Headaches: including migraine

  • Low back pain: both acute and chronic

  • Shoulder problems: conditions such as ‘frozen shoulder’, shoulder girdle pain and dysfunction

  • Elbow conditions: tennis elbow

  • Hip and knee problems: osteoarthritis of the hip, patellofemoral pain syndrome

  • Foot pain: Plantar Fasciitis

All these conditions have shown high or moderate scientific supporting evidence for manual therapy intervention.

There are a large number of other conditions about which evidence is still inconclusive but investigation is still continuing.

These include brachial neuritis (pain radiating down the arm), mid back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome (in the wrist).

They also include sciatica (pain travelling down the leg), ankle sprains and Morton’s neuroma.

More information on exciting developments in osteopathic research can be found on the GOsC public website

Further comments on the review from which this evidence was taken, (drawn up by the General Osteopathic Council), have been provided by Professor Scott Haldeman and Professor Martin Underwood which are available at http://chiromt.com/content/pdf/1746-1340-18-4.pdf

N.B: This list is not comprehensive: please ask the receptionists whether your condition is suitable for treatment. They will be happy to answer any queries you may have, and will ask one of the osteopaths to speak to you about your condition if needed.

FAQs

If you can’t help will you refer me on?2020-02-24T14:51:16+00:00

We will refer any patient that is unsuitable for our treatment, either to their GP or another medical specialist. Over the years we have built up very good relationships with the local medical professionals and indeed help with some GP training at the practice.

Can I stop treatment at any time?2020-02-24T14:50:51+00:00

Yes of course, our only aim is to benefit our patients and we will never put pressure on patients either to continue with treatment or to have any treatment which they might consider unnecessary.

Can I choose which osteopath to see?2020-02-24T14:47:41+00:00

The patient can always choose the osteopath they want to see and they can easily change to another osteopath in the practice at any time. In the same way if we feel that patients need to be referred either to another allied health professional or to a doctor, we will always do so. We are quite happy for patients to change osteopaths for any reason and indeed sometimes we might suggest that a patient sees another osteopath ourselves.

In order to have treatment will I need to undress?2020-02-24T14:46:51+00:00

In order to perform a full examination and allow treatment, patients often need to undress to their underwear, as is usual for many medical treatments. However it is very important that you feel confident and comfortable during your consultation and gowns are available if required. We are guided by our patients and would never do anything that you are uncomfortable with.

Book an appointment or contact us with any questions today

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