Osteopathy can help alleviate the symptoms of osteoporosis, rheumatoid, psoriatic and osteoarthritis. Arthritis is a natural degenerative process – as we get older the wear and tear of everyday living can affect many joints of the body. It can cause patients a great deal of pain and restriction into the hips, back, knees, neck and shoulders. Osteopathy is a very gentle but effective treatment for patients suffering with arthritis.

Lower back pain can be as a result of arthritis, nerve root impingement, joint/muscle/ ligament/sciatic pain or degenerative disc disease. Patients can often complain of pain travelling down the back of the leg. If the back is weak patients can complain of pain across the back. The aim of any osteopathic treatment is to get the patient pain free and mobile as soon as possible and provide practical advice on posture and exercises.

Restrictions and tightness in the neck can lead to muscle pain across the shoulders and up the back of the head. This can result in headaches, shooting pain down the arms, swelling and pins and needles into the hands. Osteopathic treatment helps loosen out the muscles that travel from the shoulder to the neck; this will improve blood flow, nerve supply and lymphatic drainage to the affected areas therefore improving symptoms into the neck and shoulders.

Hip/knee pain can occur due to sudden injury, overuse injury (e.g. kneeling while gardening) or an underlying condition like arthritis. Symptoms can include pain, swelling and stiffness. This can result in restriction and pain into the groin, buttock, lower back and knees. Osteopathic techniques can help pain by restoring movement and mobility to the joints with gentle articulation and soft tissue work to bring back fluidity and flexibility into the body.

Osteopathic treatment can help keep the joints in the body as mobile and supple as possible. Through professional osteopathic advice and treatment we can help patients stay flexible and unrestricted in their daily activities. As we get older the elasticity that is naturally present within our tissues reduces which can increase the risk of injuring the soft tissue and bony structures within our bodies. With regular osteopathic treatment the pain and restriction in a patient’s body will greatly reduce.