Ice/Heat

Ice and/or heat application or hydrotherapy is often prescribed to alleviate pain and reduce swelling or to encourage blood flow to tissues where tissue congestion is present and circulation is impaired. Advice can often be given over the phone using these methods to reduce pain in an emergency, but a professional diagnosis and treatment is strongly recommended following any physical injury. Although pain goes away, damage to the tissues occurs globally to the entire body, not just locally in the surrounding tissues, and the body will compensate for injury by using other structures to continue to function as the body demands.  Eventually, compensation is exhausted, and dramatic injuries can often occur from a very minimal movement that previously has never caused harm.

Osteopaths do not prescribe in practice, as they understand the body as a self regulating and self sufficient organism capable inherently of overcoming disease. That said, medication prescribed by your GP or medical consultant should not be discontinued during your treatment with an Osteopath. It is recommended that your prescribed medication be reviewed regularly by your GP to ensure the dosage is correct and the condition it is prescribed for is being monitored properly.

Exercise

Many of us have sedentary lifestyles, another contributing factor to impaired health and often types of specific cardiovascular exercise (running, swimming etc) are recommended with regards to body type and physical issues, including postural and physical changes that will be required for the individual.

Encouraging more sustainable energy levels and for optimum vitamin and mineral content in your diet is frequently necessary through improved nutrition as it plays a major role for prevention and promotion of health within chronic disease.

Stretching

Stretching is usually advised directed towards specific muscles and muscle groups, and helps by focusing leverage along complex combined movements to change posture and spinal curves.

During a course of treatment, advice will be given with regards to workstation ergonomics or alterations to the workplace, exercises or movements to perform, and/ or those to avoid, all to maintain effects of treatment and to prevent tissue damage or re-injury from occurring.

More help..

Should you require or request further help, assistance or advice outside the reach of Osteopathy or your Osteopath, external referrals to other healthcare professionals (for surgery, dentistry, psychotherapy etc) independently, or through communication with your GP are possible. Your consent will always be sought in such a situation.