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Sylvia
… is a 32 year old teacher with a long history of back pain originating from a car accident twenty years earlier. When I first saw her she was ten weeks pregnant and experiencing such bad mid and low back pain that sleep was becoming difficult.
Treatment began using gentle cranial techniques to release the pelvic area and a combination of mobilisation and manipulation to restore movement to the mid back. These areas improved rapidly, but her neck became stiff, as her posture began to adapt to the growing size of the baby. This area also responded rapidly to treatment. Further maintenance treatment to keep her spine mobile may be advised as the pregnancy progresses. A lot can be done to ease back and neck pain in pregnant women.
David
… is a sporty 10 year old boy who has suffered from chronic asthma from the age of one year. In his early years he had a couple of very severe attacks. Also as a younger child he suffered from chronic ear infections.
Having had a moderate attack just a few months ago, David was very afraid of having a recurrence. Clearly osteopathy cannot cure asthma, but I believe it can help, often quite a lot. David had quite severe cranial tightness, and some tightness in his upper back and ribs. Treatment began by releasing the spine and ribs to improve the mechanics of breathing. Then over several treatments the cranial tightness was reversed. It certainly seemed to help and David gradually became less apprehensive about his asthma
Patrick
… is a 45 year old accountant who was experiencing intermittent headaches which were becoming more frequent. His headaches had been worse since he fell onto his back and head five years previously. When experiencing a headache the pain was mainly located on the right at the back and side of his head. He had some difficulty in turning his neck to the right. A one-sided restriction in neck rotation is often a useful clue that the upper part of the neck is not working properly. Problems in this area can frequently cause headaches.
Tests confirmed that the movement of the upper part of the neck was abnormally reduced and manipulative treatment rapidly restored it to 90% of normal. His headaches improved, being less frequent and less severe. Further treatment to release the cranial movement at the back of his head helped to improve the headaches even more. Not surprisingly given his work, Patrick needs to return for follow up treatment about twice a year.
Steve
… is a 52 year old businessman and keen golfer. In recent weeks the nagging pain which he “just put up with” in his lower back had become worse and he had stopped playing golf.
Despite a history of arthritis in his left knee and mild psoriasis, his pain did not seem to be arthritic in origin. His back had become very tight and this was worse in the low back on the left. Mobilisation and manipulation of his mid and low back soon began to restore some of the lost motion (so essential for golf). Soon he was able to play nine holes, then a full eighteen. Then he relapsed and in addition to further treatment I advised some stretches to do at home and some postural advice about home and car. This seemed to help and though Steve may have to accept that he is not 30, he is playing a full round again.
Carmen
… was a 25 year old mum who has suffered from persistent pain since a very serious car accident the previous year. Her neck and upper back were constantly stiff and painful. She experienced frequent generalised headaches, poor memory, poor concentration, lack of focus and tiredness. The cranial movement was very disrupted and it felt as though her body was fighting itself, pulling in different directions, possibly from the magnitude of the forces which acted on her body in the accident.
Treatment began with the release of this deep physical conflict. Initially after this session Carmen became very emotional and her low back felt very sore. Then after a few days she felt more relaxed. Further treatment began to release the tightening of her back and neck – each stage produced a strong emotional reaction and frequent tears as the physical effects of the accident held in her body began to release. After several weeks her back and neck were improved though still occasionally stiff. Her concentration and energy levels were improving and she clearly felt more able to engage with the world again.
John
… came to the practice complaining of pain in his low back and through the front of his right thigh. It was very clear from examination that his hip joint was badly affected by osteoarthritis and so he was advised to return to his GP to seek referral to an Orthopaedic Surgeon for hip replacement.
Waiting lists for this operation on the NHS are very long and so, a year later, John is still coming to the practice on a regular basis. Osteopathy helps to keep his hip joint as mobile as possible and, in so doing, relieves his pain and keeps him going.