Osteopathy

 

Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a manual and natural system of treatment, which focuses on the knowledge that the body has an amazing inner intelligence, whichknows best how to heal the body. An Osteopath examines the body's different structures, such as the skeleton, joints, muscles, fascia, nerves, blood circulation and the lymphatic system, to look for imbalances and strains, which can affect the body's inner healing capacity. These imbalances can occur from joints affecting nerves, which disturbs the natural and healthy nerve flow to organs, muscles and other tissues. Other causes can be strains within body tissues, which can cause imbalances and thereby affect the body's function and inner health.

Osteopathy's main aim is to restore the body's balance, by correcting these imbalances and strains, and in this way promote healthy nerve, blood and lymphatic function. This helps the body's organs, muscles, joints and tissues to have more health, better healing capacity and inner positive energy.

An Holistic Treatment System

Osteopathy looks to the whole person, so takes into account diet and daily habits, the body's ability to move in a balanced way, if various negative thought patterns and old emotional traumas are decreasing the inner energy, and also how calm and harmonious our inner mind is. By looking at the whole person; body, mind and spirit, it is easier to restore balance and inner health. When we are imbalanced, have inner tension and pain, our inner energy is affected, which also takes it's toll on our emotions and mind. When this is corrected we can instead live in harmony with our body, thoughts and feelings. Osteopathy takes all of this into account.

When did Osteopathy start?

Osteopathy started in the 1870's in America by a doctor, Dr Andrew Taylor Still. He lost three of his children to spinal meningitis, and this caused him to be disillusioned with conventional medicine. He started to question how the body's immune system and inner health could be helped by using natural methods. He studied the body's different structures and function, and discovered that if the lymphatic system, nerve flow and blood circulation was disturbed due to imbalances and strains within the body, the person's health deteriorated. When he corrected these imbalances his patient's health improved. A positive side-effect was that aches and pains from joints, neck and back disappeared, due to improved nerve function and better balance within the joints and muscles.

Osteopathy is the forefather to Chiropractic and Naprapathy, and it is well-known internationally, especially in Great Britain (where Osteopathy is a registered profession), USA (where Osteopaths work as doctors), New Zealand, Australia and various European Countries.

What is Cranial Osteopathy?

One of Dr Still's students was Dr Sutherland. He developed Cranial Osteopathy, which also treats the whole body, and it is a highly effective and gentle treatment method. It helps to restore health, balance and energy within all body tissues, even in the central nervous system. All Cranial Osteopaths are trained Osteopaths.

What happens in a consultation?

Osteopaths are highly skilled in examining and diagnosing the body's structure, function, movement ability, health and balance. First, your Osteopath will go through a full case history, where you will be asked questions about your symptoms, medical history, diet, exercise habits, emotional balance, stress levels and much more.

Then you will be examined thoroughly Osteopath checks your blood circulation, lymphatic and neurological system, as well as how your spine and joints move. The Osteopath examines if there are any strains, weaknesses or inflammations within your joints, muscles, ligaments, as well as within other body tissues. At the end you will be given a diagnosis, and told if Osteopathic treatment is suitable. The Osteopath may refer you for further tests or different treatment.

What can Osteopathy treat?

Osteopathy is an effective treatment method for aches and pains in joints, muscles and ligamens, such as back and neck pain, headaches, shoulder, knee and ankle injuries. It can also help with stomach and intestinal problems, asthma, bronchitis and low immune function.

Who are Nordic Light's Osteopaths?

The Osteopaths at the clinic have gone through a 4-year full-time training at the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy (now called the British College of Osteopathic Medicine), which is validated by University of Westminster. They have also done several postgraduate courses. They worked for many years in England in different clinics, such as an Orthopaedic Clinic, a GP's surgery and a Complementary Clinic. They lecture internationally and in Sweden.