The Power of Osteopathy

With a wide range of physical therapies available for treating the many elements of the human body, it can be difficult to see the wood for the trees and pick the correct treatment for your circumstances. London-based practice Kennington Osteopaths & Physiotherapy are here to debunk the myths about osteopathy and detail the many uses of this effective and holistic approach to pain, imbalance and injury.

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a method of healing that uses joint manipulation, soft tissue release and stretching of the body. It’s based on the theory that the health of the body relies on its structure, and that a wide range of illnesses and injuries can be treated by addressing these systems and correcting them. The body possesses self-healing mechanisms that sometimes can become impaired by the effects of chronic strains, traumas or just every-day stress and osteopathy aims to restore, encourage and enhance these physiological mechanisms.

Osteopathy is classed as a non-invasive complementary medicine and is one of the few non-mainstream physical therapies that are formally regulated. This means that only a registered osteopath can employ this techniques to treat you and the training is lengthy and rigorous.

The discipline of osteopathy is recommended as first line care for the management of lower back pain both with or without sciatica symptoms as a part of a treatment package including exercise and/or counselling and psychotherapy (NICE).

What can osteopathy treat?

Osteopathy focuses on restoring the natural function of the body by increasing circulation, releasing tension and improving mobility, all of which enhances the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

It’s commonly used to treat non-emergency injuries, lower back, neck and shoulder pain, arthritis, and structural problems brought on by incorrect posture. Driving, pregnancy, too much sitting, and incorrect movement habits are all common causes of incorrect posture.

Further to the principle that the body’s systems are intertwined in a delicate balance, and that structural and physical elements of health can have resounding effects on other aspects of the body, osteopathy can also help with the management of wider issues as an adjunct to medical treatment of disorders such as digestive issues, headaches or migraines, menstruation-related issues, fibromyalgia, asthma and IBS.

If you’re looking for a balancing, non-invasive solution to an illness or injury, contact Kennington Osteopaths & Physiotherapy for expert and friendly advice. Providing health solutions for all.