The aim of osteopathy is to correct problems in the body frame, making it easier for your body to function normally and reducing the chance of problems occurring in the future.

In seeking to maintain good health and prevent future problems, the osteopath's plan may include advice on posture, diet, lifestyle and stress. While "biomechanics" has become one of the most rapidly developing areas of medicine in recent years, osteopathy was one of the first professions to incorporate biomechanical analysis of how injuries occur and what the secondary effects are likely to be.

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To take a simple example: if you go to an osteopath with a knee injury, the osteopath will do much more than just examine and treat your knee. He/she will want to know exactly how the injury occurred in order to assess not just which tissues in the knee are injured, but also whether there may be involvement of other areas with a mechanical relationship to the knee, such as the foot, hip, lower back and pelvis, and the associated soft tissues.

Osteopathy can be applied to the following:

• Acute and chronic pain
• Back and neck pain
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Headaches and migraine
• Knee, hip and ankle arthritic pain
• Muscle ache / pain / spasm / cramps / stiffness
• Sciatica
• Lumbago
• Frozen shoulder
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Rheumatic pain
• Pins and needles
• Numbness
• Trapped nerves
• Neuralgia
• Bursitis

Other problems:

• Asthma and chest complaints
• Period pain
• Congested sinuses / sinusitis
• Circulatory problems
• Stress and fatigue
• Digestive disorders

Common trauma / injuries:

• Postural / occupational strain
• Lifting strains
• Whiplash / car injuries
• Spinal disc injuries
• RSI (repetitive strain injury)

Baby / child problems:

• Newborn check-up
• Ear infections / glue ear
• Infantile colic
• Behavioural problems
• Aches and pains
• Asthma / chest infections

Discomforts of pregnancy:

• Aches and pains
• Heartburn
• Breathing difficulties

- (Dr Guy Ashburner, July 2007)

About the author: Dr Guy Ashburner is a graduate of the British School of Osteopathy in the United Kingdom. He has worked as an osteopath at the Osteopathic Centre for Children in London and also holds a post-graduate diploma in paediatric osteopathy. Dr Ashburner also has experience working at a specialist sports injury clinic. He recently emigrated from the United Kingdom to Cape Town, South Africa.

Contact details:
Dr Guy Ashburner BSc(Hons) Ost(U.K), D.P.O.
Osteopathic Consultant
To find out more, visit www.osteogoodhealth.com or call 0741 184 184
Available at ‘Steps To Health Pharmacy & Health Shop’
Cnr. Boundary & Kendal Roads, Constantia / Diep River
 

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