Helpful hints
These tips can help some pain sufferers, including those suffering from back pain, knee pain, headaches, tennis elbow, shoulder pain, arthritis, ankle and hip.
How can I help?
Treatment is individual and may involve a number of therapeutic disciplines from gently moving and stretching an arthritic joint, massaging surrounding muscles and tissues to help ease some of the discomfort, to performing manipulations.
I may also be able to give advice on exercises, diet, posture and changes to lifestyle.
X-rays, scans or other tests may be required and as your osteopath, I may refer you to your GP for any additional investigations and treatment.
Here you'll find some extra information, plus tips for immediate relief.
Back pain relief
Back pain is a very common problem, as many as eight out of ten of us will suffer from it at some point during our lives. Back pain can affect anyone at any age, and can often be the result of sprain/strain of muscles, ligaments, joints or damage to the discs. Osteoarthritis or wear and tear in the back can also be a reason. Most of us know that back pain can be painful. Osteopaths are skilled at helping prevent back pain from becoming a chronic, long-term condition.
TIP: Ice relieves pain
Frozen peas applied to sore area reduces inflammation and thus pain.
Neck pain relief
Osteopaths can use a wide range of gentle manipulations depending on your age, fitness and diagnosis to reduce muscular tension in the neck and improve movement in the joints of the neck and upper back. We may gently massage the soft tissues or rhythmically "rock" the joints to release tension and sometimes we may gently manipulate the neck to move the joints and you may hear a "click".
Treatment is different in every individual and sometimes it might involve treating other areas in the back and shoulders as well as the neck. We may offer advice on your posture at work or in the car and give advice on exercise and stretching to help keep your neck and upper back muscles and joints relaxed.
TIP: Bag of flour
A chilled bag of flour under the base of the head may help the symptoms of a headache.
Headaches
There are several reasons for headaches. One cause can be tension or strain in the muscles and joints of the neck and upper back. Treatment from an osteopath may help. Gentle massage to the tight muscles and manipulation to loosen the joints of the neck, thorax and back can relieve the build-up of muscular tension that may lead to headaches.
Osteojames can also advise on exercise and lifestyle changes and offer guidance on simple changes to your posture when at work or driving which may help.
TIP: Bag of flour
A chilled bag of flour under the base of the head may help the symptoms of a headache.