Simple movements put through the joints of the body by a therapist while the patient is relaxed.  These sorts of techniques can sometimes become a bit more complicated, requiring interaction between patient and therapist.  They aid in loosening the joints, improving circulation to the surrounding tissues, and freeing up long-term restrictions and stiffness.

There are a huge number of types and styles of massage.  The skill is not only in their application, but also in the sellection of the most appropriate form to influence the tissues in the desired way.  Massage can help with general tissue health, improving local circulation and flushing the tissues of metabolites, acids and other chemicals that might cause pain or poor function.  It can also work to unbind adhesions between tissues, or promote natural elasticity.

These small, highly technical “high velocity thrusts” (HVTs) are used for a number of purposes, including release of bound or compressed joints, altering the local circulatory or neurological influences on surrounding tissues, or in some cases to shift one bone relative to another to restore more natural positioning and reduce strain on local tissues. Done well, these manipulations rarely cause pain (massage tends to be far more uncomfortable). However, they are the techniques that most people remember from a treatment, and cause anxiety in some cases. A good clinician will always explain these approaches before commencing them, and the patient should be satisfied in their own mind before accepting these modalities.

Ultrasound treatment is pain free, and assists in the restoration of circulation and promotes healing in tissues.  Based on the settings applied, the focus can be deep or close to the surface of the body. Longer term problems may benefit from higher settings on the machine.  The clinician will be able to tailor the use of the machine to the history of the problem.

In our work, we frequently find that “less-is-more”, and that keeping things simple works best.  To that end, and in acknowledgement the prevention is better than cure, it is common to try and prescribe basic, small management exercises to enhance the effect of treatment, and keep the changes in place.  Not everyone is interested in these, but those that do find the time nearly always report back that they are glad they took this control.

Post-operative situations, high-intensity sports, severe injuries and accidents can all lead to the body being unable to naturally restore its function, even when the “original stressor” has been removed (e.g. an arthritic knee, or an old sprained ankle).  In these cases, we must consider how to promote proper recovery and must push or cajole the body along its healing pathway by very specific exercises. These are usually short-term plans, but can be hard work, both to get right in the first place and then to keep going with.  This is the classical realm of physiotherapists and there are times when an Osteopath might work hand-in-hand with one. However, in my years of working alongside many very good physios, I have been lucky enough to have learned many of these skills on the job.

The use of Acupuncture needles, but without necessarily subscribing to or following the classical teachings of Eastern medicine or Classical Acupuncture.  Instead, needles are used as a tool to reduce pain and gripping tension in muscles by influencing the local neurological control to those muscles. There is also a small effect on local blood circulation.  Using needles in this way can be incredibly effective in the right circumstances, and also a lot less painful than deep massage.

Addressing the cause of a problem is usually at the heart of getting a rapid, successful result.  This includes identifying what in a patient’s life is promoting the problem, and trying to find a way to reduce these impacts. This aspect of treatment is about team-work. It relies heavily on the openness of a patient, and their will to find a lasting, self-driven solution.

There are times when an Osteopath cannot have enough information to make a fair, honest or sensible diagnosis or treatment plan.  There are also times when the diagnosis points to something outside their remit. At these times, it is reassuring to know that we have the ability to refer you to the whole range of other medical and support providers. This will occasionally be limited by Insurance companies, who like to follow their own rules.  However, generally, Osteopaths are very happy to work in conjunction with other specialists and/or request further tests as required.