Treatment is altered to respect an individual’s age, general health, presenting symptoms and we work around any comorbidities.
Also known as thrust’s or manipulation’s. This involves a quick movement within a joint’s normal range of movement to restore joint play. Requiring very little force, it may produce a clicking sound or cavitation.
This technique requires a high level of expertise and most closely resembles chiropractic manipulation. It also is subject to the most number of contraindications (unsuitable scenarios) so not always used.
Repetitive movement of a joint to try and increase the range of movement.
The manipulation of soft tissues structures (skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia) has been used for thousands of years. Unhelpfully, the list of different massages seems endless; Remedial, Deep tissue, Relaxing, Sports, Swedish, Myofascial, Neuromuscular, Soft tissue release, Trigger point therapy and Lymphatic massage to name a few.
Unless, specifically requested i.e. sports massage appointment, I will use multiple types of massage techniques to treat patients. If it helps, picture each type representing just one string in an adaptable treatment bow.
Experience is key to deciding which mix will best suit a patient’s needs. Those suffering from chronic neck pain requires different techniques to someone with acute lower back pain. The best approach is a different tailored treatment for each patient.
Meaning ‘jointed’ or ‘divided into joints’. Articulation is the basis of most manual therapies; including osteopathy, physiotherapy, chiropractic, sports massage. Articulation techniques have been shown to help relieve pain and increase range of motion in joints.
Articulation uses a low amplitude (short distance) and low to moderate velocity (speed) of movement within the patients pain free range of motion while in dysfunction. This aids the bodies natural lubricating system (synovial fluid) to embalm the joint which increased range of motion, decreased pain or both (ideally).
Uses a muscle's own energy in the form of gentle isometric contractions to relax the muscles via autogenic or reciprocal inhibition, and lengthen the muscle.
The symptomatic joint is placed in a position of least discomfort while at the same time monitoring the degree of tenderness at a nearby tender point until the tenderness reduces. A safe technique with few contraindications.
Similar to deep massage techniques, designed to stretch muscle and reduce tension. Safe and very effective, gentle sustained pressure is applied to eliminate pain and restore motion. This essential “time element” has to do with the viscous flow and the piezoelectric phenomenon: a low load (gentle pressure) applied slowly will allow a viscoelastic medium (fascia) to elongate.
Lymphatic pump techniques can be easily and safely used in many patient presentations to enhance lymphatic fluid motion and improve immune function. There are a few contraindications to this technique.
Neuromuscular Therapy is a highly-specialized form of manual therapy that corrects pain and dysfunction by treating trigger points, muscle adhesions, and fascial (connective tissue) patterns.
Requires a detailed understanding of anatomy compared to a basic soft tissue massage.
A trigger point is a small area of muscle that is painful when pressured, producing a repeatable pattern of local or referred pain elsewhere.
Referred pain means that a trigger point in one muscle can create pain in another area. For instance, when the muscle at the top of your shoulder (trapezius) has a trigger point it will refer pain up the side of your neck and head causing a headache.
The Professional Register:
It is unlawful in the UK for anyone to describe themselves as Osteopath unless registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) http://www.osteopathy.org.uk
Following the Osteopaths Act 1993, all practitioners must re-register on an annual basis to ensure continued fitness to practise. As part of a lifelong commitment to learning, each must show evidence of a minimum of 30 hours of Continued Professional Development (CPD) per year.
Practice Standards:
Osteopaths are primary healthcare professionals (meaning no referral is needed to see one) guided by 37 Osteopathic Practice Standards (OPS) to ensure the quality of care the patient receives.
They are divided into the following four main categories:
Osteopathic Training:
All Osteopaths have undergone a four or five year degree course combining academic training with clinical skills. To qualify study many topics such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, nutrition and biomechanics, as well as at least 1,000 hours of clinical training experience with real patients.
As of March 2019 there are 5,341 osteopaths in the UK.
We are pleased to recommend the below resources:
Prezi Presentation examining the history and relevance of Osteopathy:
https://prezi.com/-zttr4nxexfo/osteopathy-a-broken-record-or-timeless-classic/ (Copyright Stephen McGlynn)
Pinterest website for an Osteopathic Student or interested patient:
National Council for Osteopathic Research (NCOR)
Osteopathic Summary May 2016 (PDF)
We are also pleased to endorse:
