Osteopathy
Who are Osteopaths and what can they treat?
Osteopaths are highly qualified registered primary healthcare practitioners, educated to degree standard (Bachelor of Science or Masters), who have an in-depth knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and its relationship to other systems of the body. So, you can seek the advice of an osteopath without firstly consulting your GP.
Like other medical professions, Osteopathy is subject to statutory regulations and qualified practitioners need to register with GOsC in order to practice and use the title of ‘osteopath’.
Osteopaths focus on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal and other related disorders without the use of drugs or surgery.
Some conditions that osteopathy may be able to help you with include:
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General aches and pains
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Arthritic pain
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Joint pain
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Sciatica Muscle spasms
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Headache arising from the neck
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Sports injuries
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Muscular tensions
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Persistent pain
I use a selection of different treatments modalities depending on the age of the patient, diagnosis and patient preference:
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Gentle rhythmic techniques to reduce tension in muscles / tissues.
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Articulation of joints to encourage movement and stimulate the flow of blood and lymphatics
Westernised Acupuncture
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a treatment that consists in pricking the patient with a special needle. It developed in China about 2,000 years ago. Traditional Chinese acupuncture uses a complicated system of ancient ideas that are not easy for most of us to understand or accept today. However, many modern Western practitioners find that acupuncture can be understood in scientific terms particulaly as research demonstrates it acts mainly by stimulating the nervous system to cause neuromodulation and other central nervous system effects.
What conditions can be helped by acupuncture?
Current evidence from clinical trials mainly supports its efficacy (compared with placebo) in the relief of various types of pain including muscles and joint pain.
Does it hurt?
Acupuncture is usually not pain-free. However, it is no more painful than an ordinary injection or blood test and in many cases it is less painful than these. As a rule it is necessary to produce a little pain to achieve an improvement but some people feel nothing at all.
Further Information
For further information about medical acupuncture see the BMAS home page.
Photobiomodulation (PBM) Therapy
What is PBM?
Photobiomodulation (PBM Therapy) previously known as Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a laser or LED light therapy.
Lasers and LED's produce intense beams of light at specific wavelengths. When the right wavelength at the right intensity is used at the correct anatomical location for the right amount of time you can stimulate tissue repair (skin wounds, muscle, tendon, bone, nerves), resolve inflammation and reduce pain.
For more information please follow the link below which will direct you to the Thorlaser Website.