During my 20 years of practising as an osteopath, lifestyles have changed. Today people experience more tension. We also tend to spend longer periods of sitting or standing. This lack of movement can cause a build up of small, hardened fibrotic nodules in various muscles of the body.
Tennis Elbow occurs when the muscles which attach to the elbow become overloaded and start to tear the tendon attached to the elbow. The arm - in particular the forearm - can experience muscular spasms and a local weakness which serves to protect it from further damage.
The sciatic nerve is a large nerve which we use all our life and which can develop problems, resulting in pain or compression if there is a prolapsed disc.
There are various medical conditions which cause Cervical Neck and Muscular Pain. Your GP can diagnose which one is responsible, and if you have severe and worsening pain, will refer you to a hospital specialist.
It's common to have front knee pain at some stage of your life as your patella - knee cap - is in constant use as you walk up and down stairs or hills. A properly-functioning knee cap travels up and down a small narrow groove. Sometimes, however, it gets slightly diverted, resulting in increasing soft tissue irritation which is aggravated by walking up and down stairs
Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker. In these times of long periods of sitting at a desk, with or without a computer, good ergonomic design can help to prevent the repetitive strain injuries which develop over time and can lead to long-term disability.
In his book on lower back disorders, Professor McGill recommends using an ergonomic chair, pointing out that such a chair must be used properly. Changing posture as frequently as every ten minutes, allows the tissue loads to migrate, thereby minimising the risk of any single tissue`s accumulating micro-trauma. Even if you don’t get up from your chair, moving position or even just fidgeting can help.
There are many excellent textbooks on osteopathy. One of my favourites is Cranial Manipulation Theory and Practice (Osseous and Soft Tissue Approaches) by Leon Chaitow, published by Churchhill Livingstone. This is beautifully-illustrated textbook - which comes with an excellent CD - combines traditional osteopath approaches with cranial osteopathy.
Recently a previous pregnant patient returned to me for further treatment, because she wanted to have the European School of Osteopathy approach to pregnancy. As a result of recent controversial news on various therapists, she has asked me to publish her review, to reassure other prospective pregnant patients that cranial osteopathy is safe.
I have been treating babies for over twenty years with cranial osteopathy and during this time Cranial Osteopathy for babies and children has become increasing popular. I gave a cranial treatment to a 6 week old baby today and so I will give a brief outline to my own unique approach which has made treating babies a delight.
