What is Osteopathy, how it works and what are the benefits?

Osteopathy is allied health therapy that can be a suitable treatment of various conditions that may produce muscle or joint pain (for example Fibromyalgia, scoliosis, chronic neck pain and chronic low back pain). Osteopaths provide relief for pain and rehabilitation for muscle strains, joint-related pains (e.g. osteoarthritis), headaches, low back pain and sciatica, a sports injury. Essentially the treatment aims to reduce muscle tension, reduce joint stiffness, reduce pain and improve the overall movement of the body. Let’s explore more about osteopathy and some of the common treatments involved with this branch of practice together.

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a system of medicine that emphasizes the role of the musculoskeletal system in health and disease. It was developed by Andrew Still in 1874, who believed that our body’s ability to recover from an illness can be improved when it is free of pain and has full mobility.

Osteopaths believe that a person’s body has an innate healing system, which can bring about normal healthy function if given the right conditions. This type of allied health therapy attempts to recognize and treat the source of pain instead of focusing on treating the symptoms only.

The philosophy behind osteopathic treatments involves restoring mobility and stability of the structure of the musculoskeletal system in a way that improves how we function as a whole in movement.

How does Osteopathy work?

An Osteopath will work on reducing muscular tension by incorporating methods such as spinal manipulation, mobilisation, massage therapy and stretching to encourage better blood flow and movement which can provide pain relief. Strengthening and/or stretching exercises may be included in the session and incorporated into a home exercise program.

The main goal of an osteopathic session is to diagnose and treat conditions that are related to health problems or injuries in order to help manage symptoms.

Osteopathic treatments can benefit patients suffering from fibromyalgia, scoliosis, chronic neck pain and many other conditions. This is through pain reduction, lessening of muscle tightness, improving movement and the interaction of structure and function in the body.

Consider the common head, neck and shoulder pain that most people experience at some point in their lives.

The treatment involves one on one sessions with an osteopath to assess all of the factors related to the patient’s condition. The aim is to identify any regions of tension and restriction that are causing the body to be unable to function efficiently and without pain. The osteopathic treatment is used to reduce muscle spasms and joint stiffness in an effort to restore effective movement throughout the body. Improving mobility within the chain reaction of our body’s joints and muscles will reduce pain and restore our overall ability to move freely.

“Osteopaths consider a patient complaint with unique attention to the complex interrelationships between the body’s structure and the way it functions.”
Dr. Georgia Ellis | https://www.mamamia.com.au/what-is-an-osteopath

What are the benefits of receiving treatment from an Osteopath?

There are a number of benefits that can be derived from these treatments. These include:

Getting a diagnosis and plan to help return you to better function.
Relieving the symptoms of chronic pain such as fibromyalgia, scoliosis or chronic neck pain
Relief of pain associated with headaches.
Increasing range of motion and mobility to reduce muscle tension in areas like the neck, head and shoulders
Relieving symptoms associated with stress and anxiety.
Advising on appropriate restorative exercises.
Setting you up with a plan for rehabilitation of your condition.
Helping to restore function and movement so you can get back into activities you enjoy.

Who should consider getting treatment from an Osteopath?

Anyone who is suffering from chronic pain
People with a history of injury or surgery
Those struggling to sleep at night due to discomfort in the neck, back and shoulders
Individuals looking for relief from headaches, migraines, and other health issues that are related to stress and anxiety.

The best thing about osteopathic treatments is that they can help you manage your symptoms to improve the overall quality of your life. Give yourself a chance at having a better future and contact an experienced osteopath to learn more about these pain management techniques!

If you are within the areas of South Melbourne, Albert Park, South Yarra, Middle Park, Richmond, Burnley, St Kilda, Port Melbourne, Windsor, Melbourne, Prahran, and Cremorne, Balance Osteopathy is conveniently located on Albert Road between Kings Way and Saint Kilda Road in Melbourne – very close to the Domain Interchange tram stop and Anzac memorial.

At Balance Osteopathy we offer a range of services such as Osteopathy and Functional rehabilitation consultations and nutritional services. This enables us to create an individualised approach for you that meets your needs. To learn more about Balance Osteopathy, visit our FAQ page or book online now.