Osteopathic Treatment

Osteopathic treatments vary depending on the individual and their presenting complaint. Various treatment methods are integrated to suit the patient's needs.

The first consultation lasts 1 hour and includes a full case history, a thorough structural assessment and some treatment. Treatment may include deep soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation and manipulation, postural advice and the prescription of exercises to maintain flexibility, range of movement and strength. Follow-up treatments last 30-45 minutes; the number of treatments often depends on how long the problem has been there and how severe it is. Two or three treatments are sufficient for many conditions.

Structural Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment that lays its main emphasis on the structural and mechanical problems of the body. It is concerned with the body’s framework and how it functions, as this is crucial to the overall function and health of a person. Osteopathy can be immensely helpful to people with problems that originate or are reflected in the musculoskeletal system of the body.

Visceral Osteopathy

When an organ or viscera is in good health, it has physiologic motion. All viscera should function properly, without any restrictions. Any restriction, fixation or adhesion to another structure implies functional impairment of the organ. Visceral restrictions cause fixations of the organ to other structures. The body is forced to compensate for this situation, which leads to a functional problem, and eventually to a structural problem. Through manipulation and stimulation of the viscera it is possible to facilitate an improvement in function by restoring some measure of proper motion.

Cranial Osteopathy

Cranial osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of osteopathic treatment that encourages the release of stresses and tensions throughout the body, including the head. It is a gentle yet extremely effective approach and may be used in a wide range of conditions for people of all ages, from birth to old age. Situations which may benefit from treatment include back and neck pain; joint pain and sports injuries; headaches, migraines and sinus problems; stress; recurrent infection; period pain; and digestive difficulties. In babies and children many problems such as crying, colic, sleeping and feeding difficulties may be helped.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a system of preventative and therapeutic medicine, which is based on the recognition that the body possesses an inherent ability to heal itself. The healthy body is capable of maintaining a harmonious existence within its environment. The methods used by naturopaths are designed to restore and to promote the body’s own functional ability.

Naturopathic treatment comprises nutrition and dietetics, fasting, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, counselling, relaxation, and rest in order to promote the body’s inherent self-healing mechanisms. It considers the physical, biochemical, and psychological functions of the person as an individual within his or her environment.

The Naturopath uses orthodox medical methods of diagnosis, together with a physical examination for structural problems, and nutritional and lifestyle assessments.

About Karen

Karen originally trained as a Biochemist at the University of Edinburgh and during this time she became deeply interested in the field of complementary medicine. Her interest in natural therapeutics later led her to pursue a career in the healing sciences. She obtained a First Class Honours degree in Osteopathic Medicine, and Diplomas in Naturopathy and Osteopathy from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine. Since qualifying as an Osteopath and Naturopath, she has completed further training in Modern Acupuncture (dry needling), and Cranial Osteopathy (Sutherland Cranial College).