Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a form of hands-on manual complementary therapy, regulated by the General Osteopathic Council, aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of patients. Working with the whole person to improve the balance of the entire body, osteopathy is a hands on system of diagnosis and treatment for people of any age, from infants to adults and the elderly.
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy has been practised for over a century and is well recognised by conventional medical.
Osteopathy is highly regarded and regulated, just like doctors and nurses, and is included in the register of Allied Healthcare Professional.
Osteopaths are trained to use the same diagnostic techniques used by your GP, but also diagnostic tests specific to our profession. Crucially, osteopaths take time to listen to their patients, considering problems that may seem unrelated to pain but which may, in fact, be central to that person’s wellbeing.
Osteopaths work on the basis that if the structure of the body has been compromised then it cannot function correctly, so we assess each patient to see what’s gone wrong and use our techniques to improve overall function. And this is our great strength, as we consider all the aspects of a patient’s life – and lifestyle – in order to treat. Improving the mechanics of the body ultimately enhances other areas such as blood supply, nerve function and performance of internal organs.
For that reason, osteopathy isn’t simply about treating sports injuries and joint problems; it can play a crucial role in improving a wide range of other conditions such as headaches, circulatory problems, digestive disorders, muscular stiffness (fibromyalgia) as well as the least recognised yet most widely debilitating diseases of the modern age…stress!
Conditions Osteopaths can Treat
Osteopathy is proven to treat the following conditions and there are thought to be many more as yet unproven benefits.
- Arthritic pain
- Circulatory problems
- Cramp
- Digestion problems
- Fibromyalgia
- Frozen shoulder
- Shoulder and elbow pain
- Tennis elbow
- Headache prevention
- Joint pains
- General, acute & chronic back pain
- Generalised aches and pains
- Lumbago
- Migraine prevention
- Sports injuries
- Muscle spasms
- Neck pain
- Neuralgia
- Tension and inability to relax
- Rheumatic pain
- Sciatica
Visiting an Osteopath
Your first visit will usually take about an hour. We will start by asking you lots of questions, mainly about why you have come to see us, but also about your medical and lifestyle history. We will then conduct a clinical examination including posture, mobility, orthopaedic testing and palpation. It may be necessary to remove some of your clothing for us to examine and treat the appropriate areas.
Once we have established a diagnosis, a treatment plan will be developed that will include treatment during this first consultation.
Osteopaths use a variety of techniques during treatment. Osteopathy is an individualised approach to treatment therefore techniques differ from one person to another. We will use techniques including soft tissue massage, stretching and mobilisation. Sometimes we may suggest that manipulation or acupuncture would be beneficial, in which case we would discuss these options with you during your appointment. All techniques are gentle and effective, and are aimed at reducing pain, helping your body return to healthy function and allow you to return normal life.
Registration Requirements
By law, osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). To be eligible for registration, they must have completed an Osteopathic degree, an intensive course similar to medical degrees that take 4 or 5 years to complete.
Once registered Osteopaths must continue their education and provide evidence of learning this learning to GOsC. In addition, they must be cleared by the Home Office Data Protection Services.
YOUR EXPERTS IN OSTEOPATHY
Linda Routledge MOst, Bsc
Linda is the principle osteopath at Outline Health Osteopathy. She is passionate about achieving good health and empowering patients to do the same. Having worked as a Marketing Director in the healthcare industry, Linda took the plunge to follow her dreams and become an osteopath. Having witnessed first hand the incredible difference osteopathy can make following a severe knee injury, Linda embarked on 4 year’s training to become an osteopath herself.
Having complete her Masters in Osteopathy in 2010, Linda has gone on to study Medical acupuncture with the British Medical Acupuncture Society, and is currently completing her 2 year Women’s Health Diploma. Linda is particularly interested in gynaecology, fertility and pregnancy and has hosted workshops on incontinence through menopause.
After graduating, Linda worked in several local clinics in Odiham and Overton, before setting up her own practice in Ewshot.
Your local Ewshot based osteopathy clinic, between Farnham and Odiham, here to help you find your health and get that incredible machine that is your body working for you again. Please do get in touch at enquiries@outlinehealth.com or call 01252 850814