Drysdale Osteopathy • Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions, including back pain, neck pain, migraines, frozen shoulder, arthritis and whiplash injuries.
Osteopathy works with the structure and function of the body. It is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues functioning smoothly together.
To an Osteopath, for your body to work well, its structure must also work well. So, Osteopaths work to restore your body to a state of balance, where possible without the use of drugs or surgery.
They will use touch, spinal manipulation, stretching and massage to increase the mobility of joints, to relieve muscle tension, to enhance the blood and nerve supply to tissues, and to help your body’s own healing mechanisms.
Osteopaths may also provide advice on posture and exercise to aid recovery, promote health and prevent symptoms recurring.
They consider each person as an individual. On your first visit the osteopath will spend time taking a detailed medical history, including information about your lifestyle and diet.
Osteopaths use their hands to identify abnormalities in the structure and function of a body, and to assess areas of weakness, tenderness, restriction or strain. By this means, your osteopath will make a full diagnosis and discuss with you the most appropriate treatment plan, estimating the likely number of sessions needed to treat your condition effectively.
Then they will work with your body’s ability to heal itself. The Osteopath will usually start any treatment by releasing and relaxing muscles and stretching stiff joints, using gentle massage and rhythmic joint movements. The particular range of techniques that your Osteopath uses will depend on your problem.
Osteopaths also offer added exercises and health advice, to help reduce the symptoms and improve your health and quality of life.