Chiropractor vs Osteopathy

Osteopaths are trained to develop a highly sensitive touch, which they use to find abd identify problem areas within the body. Osteopaths use a variety of techniques to diagnose health problems within the body, and treat them with minimally invasive procedures.

At Bodytonic Clinic, our osteopaths specialise in developing an in-depth understanding of the body’s musculo-skeletal system. Well being and proper functioning of the musculo-skeletal system is extremely important for the well being of other critical systems within to body, such as the respiratory and digestive systems. Osteopaths promote efficiency within these systems, allowing the body to naturally heal and restore normal function. Osteopathic treatments are incredibly versatile, and can be customised to suit the needs and conditions of different patients, making them suitable for all members of a family. An Osteopathic treatment can be used to treat problems like:

• Nerve pain (e.g Sciatica Sciatic Pain)
• Muscle spasms, strains, cramp & ligamentous sprains
• Hand, elbow and wrist pain, including tennis elbow
• Neck & shoulder pain inc. frozen shoulder
• Osteoarthritis (Degenerative condition)
• Facet joint irritation (postural problem)
• Many different Sporting injuries
• Foot, Hip pain & knee pain
• Upper back pain, Back & low back pain
• Joint pain aches and pains
• Different types of Pregnancy related problems and symptoms
• Post-surgery help and rehabilitation
• Tendonitis – Tendons are strong, fibrous, flexible, bands of body tissue that connect bones to muscles
• Fibromyalgia – Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition which has widespread pain and can cause fatigue.
• Inability to be able to relax and also stress
• Painful Rheumatic pain
• Muscular pain and discomfort
• Symptoms of poor circulation – Circulatory problems
• Headaches, Migraines & Digestive problems

Pain in the neck is a common problem in people of all ages. In lots of cases, the underlying cause is a more serious medical problem, which often goes undetected. If the underlying cause is not a health issue, and the patient is suffering from non-specific neck pain, it quite often is referred to as ‘simple’ or ‘mechanical’ neck pain. The causes of the same can be:

• Minor sprains and / or strains to muscles
• Neck Ligaments
• One factor which can be a contributor is bad posture

*** If you work a desk-job, posture could be a factor contributing to your neck-pain ***

Shoulder Pain

• Poor posture & frozen shoulder – not only restricts normal movement with the shoulder, but can also induce a lot of increase in pain. In some extreme cases the movement of shoulder can be prohibited altogether.
• Instability in the shoulder – Also referred to as hypermobility. Hypermobility refers to an unstable shoulder joint, which is often characterised by unusual range of motion of the shoulder.
• Rotator cuff disorders – Rotator cuff is an underlying muscle in the shoulder area that facilitates mobility. It is also one of the most overlooked muscles in body, which often leads to disorders.
• Joint disorders (Acromioclavicular) – The Acromioclavicular joint – is the joint positioned in the shoulder at the top, and is critical to normal movement of the shoulder. A disorder in the same is also called osteoarthritis, in the shoulder and may be caused by a fracture in of the humerus (upper arm bone), or a broken collarbone.

Stress
Emotional stress is a known cause of muscular tension. This muscular tension is extremely evident in the base of the next, head, and jaw. Such muscular stress can upset normal blood flow, and may cause severe headaches for a patient.

Our sciatic nerve is a of nerves that are responsible for controlling the muscles in the back of the knee and lower leg. This nerve group leave the spine in the lower part of your back. This nerve group provides sensation to the sole of your foot, parts of lower leg, and back of your thigh. This nerve is also the longest in the body. When irritation or compression is experienced in the sciatic nerve, the phenomenon is known as sciatica.

Symptoms of Sciatica pain. What are the?
In the beginning, the symptoms of sciatica may include a mild tingling, a dull ache, or even a burning sensation. However, the pain often starts mild, and may get worse if left untreated. Pain can be worse after standing, sitting, at night, coughing, sneezing, laughing, walking more and bending backwards

Having the group of sciatica nerves compressed or irritated, can cause pain to be experienced in the lower back, the leg, and down in the calf muscles as well.

The pain is often experienced in one side of the body. In many cases, one part of your leg or hip experiences sharp pain, while others go numb. The affected limb may experience weakness, and your numbness may also be felt in the back of our calf or the sole of ones foot.

Sciatica pain Common causes are Spinal stenosis, slipped disc, pelvic injury, Fracture or Piriformis syndrome (pain disorder which involves the narrow muscle in your buttocks)

Have any questions then please get in touch!

Regular Sports Massage therapy has several benefits, especially in terms of sports performance and overall health. In fact, with regular sports massage therapy, athletes can recover, and even avoid sports related injuries. The therapy employs vigorous forms of massage the facilitate muscle recovery and restore function. For competing athletes, sports massage therapy is recommended before and after the competition to prevent injuries and keep mobility intact.

Physical Benefits
Sports Massage therapy is especially beneficial for those who regularly engage in contact sports such as rugby, hockey, and football. Even other sports disciplines, such as cycling and running subject our musculoskeletal system to considerable strain, and spots massage therapy can effectively help by:

• Reducing tension throughout the fascial layers
• Reducing scar tissue located in the muscle
• Clearing metabolic byproducts which can be harmful
• Improving circulation and in turn delivery of nutrients to your muscles
• Improving the elasticity of tissues
• Relieving ligament, joint, tendon and muscular stress

Physiological Benefits
When we talk about the primary physiological benefits of sports massage therapy, pain reduction and relaxation of muscles come to mind. However, sports massage therapy also carries over to better overall health and improved performance in your chosen sport.

In order to get certified, Osteopaths train at recognised specialist colleges for 4-5 years. Once they graduate, they have to first register with GOsC (General Osteopath Council) and British Osteopathic Association (BOA)  prior to practicing as a professional osteopath.

Osteopathic treatments are non-invasive and drug free. Instead, Osteopathy focusses on healing and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework of the body to promote better overall health. The treatment can treat a variety of issues. This includes:

• Overall back ache
• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Neck ache
• Upper back pain and discomfort
• Sports injuries such as tennis elbow
• Nerve compressions such as sciatica
• Muscular aches and pains
• Muscle and ligament strains,
• Migraines, headaches
• Digestive problems
• Circulatory problems
• Occupational injuries
• Postural, joint pains or stiffness such as arthritis in knees, hands, hips
• Neck and shoulder injuries – including frozen shoulder.

Need to see my GP before visiting bodytonic clinic?
Osteopathy is a safe treatment that is fit for all members of the family, so consulting with a GP is not necessary in most cases. If however, your condition is extreme, or you have a complex medical history, it is smart to consult your GP before an osteopathic treatment. If you have more questions about osteopathy, get in touch with our team at the number given below.

Osteopathy & Pregnancy?
Osteopathic treatments can help pregnant women effectively adapt to the many changes that the body experiences during pregnancy. Since the body is carrying the additional weight of the baby, women can experience a number of problems such as back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, hip and pelvic pain, and many others.