WHAT IS OSTEOPATHY?

Health is not simply the absence of disease or pain. It is a state of balance and harmony between the body and mind of a person. In health, a person should be able to respond to events such as accidents, infections or emotional stress, deal with these events and restore itself to optimum health afterwards. The majority of people are not in full health, but are carrying an accumulation of the effects of different traumatic events that have happened to them during their life.

Osteopathy is a safe, gentle and effective treatment using hands-on techniques to diagnose and treat a wide range of health problems, aiming to relieve pain, discomfort and immobility. The osteopathic philosophy is to treat the person as a whole, not just the specific symptoms. By improving the function of the whole body, osteopathy helps to stimulate the body's own self-healing / self-regulating processes, aiding a return to health.

Its emphasis is on the interrelationship of the body's structure - such as muscles, bones, joints, nerves etc - and its function - such as breathing, circulation, digestion, metabolism etc.

Osteopathy works with the body's natural tendency for a state of health and homeostasis. Working with movement of tissues allows your body to continue repairing and healing itself. Suggested stretching and exercise may be prescribed to aid and enhance the healing process, according to your particular problem and environment.

Osteopathy is the fastest growing health profession. It is widely used throughout the world and recognised as one of the most highly effective complementary therapies with a vast and expanding base of scientifically validated research. Founded by Andrew Taylor Still in the 1880's in the U.S, It has been used in New Zealand since the 1930's.

There are currently around 330 registered practicing Osteopaths in New Zealand. Osteopaths have been regulated under the Health Practitioners Competency Act since 2004.

CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY

Osteopathy in the cranial field is a gentle yet powerful treatment that works on the deeper structures of the body including bones, membranes and nerves. It releases the stresses and tensions throughout the body, including the head. Benefits include improved movement of fluids including blood and cerebrospinal fluid, relaxation of body and mind and increased range of motion of the body. Very fine touch and specific directions of forces are used to treat the head and body encouraging change towards a more normal state.

Osteopaths feel restrictions in the movement patterns of body structures and fluids by using skilled 'palpation', and aim to bring your cranial sacral rhythm back to its optimum pace. Any restrictions can then be treated and relieved using very subtle realignment techniques, resulting in less pain, improved energy and performance.

Cranial treatment takes the holistic approach - treating the whole person, not just the presenting condition, so a very wide range of problems may benefit from these techniques. This includes back, neck pain, joint pain, sports injuries, headaches, migraines, sinus problems, stress, period pain and digestive difficulties. In babies and children: crying, colic, sleeping and feeding problems as well as recurrent ear, sinus, and chest infections.

Cranial Osteopathy is a very effective form of treatment for all ages, especially babies, children and people with very acute or non resolving problems. A very gentle and non-intrusive treatment means you can totally relax into the experience and enjoy the hands-on effect of natural pain relief.