Osteopathy: A Complementary Treatment To Your Wellbeing

Would it surprise you to know that Osteopathic care doesn’t just benefit those who are suffering from generalised aches and pains or more severe, persistent injuries?

That’s right. 

Osteopathy can also support you with your:

  • Mental wellbeing
  • Ability to train harder at the gym, and perform better at sports
  • Pregnancy

What exactly is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is an established, recognised system of diagnosis and treatment that focuses on the structural integrity of the body. It is a natural and safe therapy that you can undertake alongside any other medical support you might be receiving. The difference between Osteopathy and the support a medical practitioner will offer is that Osteopathy recognises much of the pain and disability you suffer stems from abnormalities in the function of the body structure as well as damage caused to it by disease.

How does Osteopathy work?

Osteopaths follow an extensive, four-year training that allows us to fully develop our knowledge into the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the human body.

We use many of the diagnostic procedures that are used within conventional medical assessments. The biggest strength of Osteopathic treatment is in the unique way we will assess you from a mechanical, functional and postural standpoint, we then use manual methods of treatment to suit the needs of each individual patient.

3 Ways Osteopathy Can Support Your Wellbeing 

Mental Wellbeing

Osteopathy is a holistic approach to supporting and improving your wellbeing. It can work in combination with therapy and meditation to help reduce mental health issues like anxiety. As it focuses on your joints, muscles and spine, it will help you relieve the physical symptoms stress can leave you with. 

Osteopathic treatment involves addressing the body’s overactive nervous system, tight muscles, headaches, digestive issues, as well as joint pains. An Osteopath will pay particular attention to the muscles around your thoracic spine, this is where your sympathetic nervous system, responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response, is located. By focusing here, your Osteopath will identify exactly where your stress is impacting you and will be able to provide you with techniques you can include in your day-to-day life which will help you manage the effects of your stress. 

Take Your Gym And Sports Performances To The Next Level

Regular exercise is fantastic for your health and mental wellbeing, and with a little planning, you can prevent injury and stay safe during all forms of exercise. Scheduling in time to fully warm up and cool down your muscles before and after every gym session or sports activity you partake in.

Just like our sports heroes take extra care to avoid injury, we must too. However, no matter how much we brace ourselves before lifting weights in the gym, or take the time to stretch before having a kickabout in our local park, injuries can still occur.

Regularly visiting an Osteopath will help you to improve fitness performance.

Your practitioner will:

  • Enhance your joint mobility
  • Help your body to heal
  • Relieve muscle tension
  • Boost your blood supply.

Through a deep tissue massage, your Osteopath manipulates your muscles, tendons and ligaments, leading to the relaxation of tight muscles, improvement in circulation and the release of trapped ligaments and tendons.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful phase of your life, it’s filled with physical, emotional and mental growth for you and your unborn child, and for the loved ones surrounding you. 

During this transitional time, it’s crucial that you’re fully supported. Osteopathic care during all stages of pregnancy and early motherhood is a perfectly safe treatment for you and your baby, however, it is advised to check with your GP if you’re in a high-risk category before seeking this type of care. Osteopathy will ensure that you and your baby are continuing to be physically and emotionally healthy. 

Why do women seek Osteopathic care during their pregnancy?

  • Lower back pain
  • Pelvic pain
  • Groin pain
  • Hip pain
  • Maintenance of postural balance
  • Sciatica
  • Middle, upper back, and neck pain
  • Rib cage pain
  • Headache and/or face pain
  • Carpal tunnel: tingling in the hands

If you would like to explore Osteopathic care as an alternative or additional treatment for your mental wellbeing, your pregnancy, or to enhance your gym and sports performances, please get in touch to book in your complementary consultation at the Enfield Osteopathic Clinic. 

We will be able to assess your body and provide you with mobility and breathing exercises you can incorporate into your everyday life. We will work together to ensure 2022 is a happy and pain-free year for you.

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