Osteopathy - encouraging and maintaining health
Osteopathy is primarily a hands on therapy, working on the body's tissues. I use focus, my hands and awareness to help release tight muscles & joints, and to encourage fluid movement in restricted, congested areas. This can have beneficial effects on the health of the whole body. Treatments may include ways of working that are similar to massage; gentle rhythmic movement of the neck, spine and joints of the arms and legs; and 'indirect' 'holding and waiting' approaches.
Looking at individual causes, as well as symptoms
Dis-ease and injury are often the result of imbalance and congestion in some area. As well as focussing treatment on those areas of your body that need attention, I aim to help you identify those aspects of your life (eg activities, lifestyle, outlook) which may be out of balance or stagnant and contributing to your symptoms.
Benefits of osteopathy: improved health and well being:
Treatment can bring relief from:
- stress related conditions- see below
- joint pain, stiffness,aches and pains
- back, neck, hip, knee, leg & foot pain
- arthritic pain
- muscle pain
- headache arising from the neck
- difficulty relaxing, stress reduction
- frozen shoulder, shoulder pain, tennis elbow
- general, acute and chronic backache
- uncomplicated mechanical neck pain
- sciatica
- minor sports injuries and tensions
- circulatory problems
- cramp
- digestion problems
- neuralgia
Osteopathic treatment in stress related conditions
Treatment encourages the body to release into a deeper, more restorative rhythm. On a physical level this can help improve tissue nutrition and drainage, and recovery from injury. The beneficial effects of treatment on the nervous system often result in people reporting a feeling of increased balance, wellbeing and aliveness after treatment.
Ergonomic advice
I offer ergonomic advice, for example regarding your seating and workstation environment. This can help reduce some of the background causes of pain and dysfunction.
If you've had an injury:
After strains and minor sports injuries treatment can help reduce pain and swelling, and encourage healing. Osteopathic neuromuscular rehabilitation treatment after minor injury can give you pain relief and recovery, helping you to return to your daily activities.
By looking at what may have contributed to problems in the first place we can help prevent trouble in the future.
Frequently asked questions
What happens at the first session?
At our first meeting I will ask about your history - including your medical history & any current symptoms you may have. An awareness of background issues that may be affecting your overall well being helps find out what is the best course of treatment for you now. I may also ask you to carry out simple movements, and do other tests to help get more of a sense about what is going on.
This first session usually includes treatment. Very occasionally further tests may be necessary before treatment can start. Very rarely it may be the case that osteopathic treatment is not suitable. Please note that if this is the case the treatment fee is still normally payable. Please call me in advance if you have any concerns
How do I prepare for a treatment? What should I wear? Do I need to undress?
Its best not to have a heavy meal before treatment
If you have any medical reports it may be helpful to bring these to the first session, but don't worry if you don't have them available.
It is helpful to wear loose comfortable clothing during the treatment or bring something to change into . When you are on the couch you will be covered with a towel. Sometimes it may be necessary for you to uncover relevant parts of your body to be examined or, for example, to carry out treatment with oil. However, this can usually be avoided, and should you wish you may arrange for a chaperone to be present.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies from person to person and depends on lots of things such as what you want from treatment, how long you have had particular symptoms, what the causes are, what is going on in your life and what your health is like generally. People sometimes feel much better after one treatment, and if this happens we could discuss whether or not a follow up treatment would be supportive for you. People might need a series of two or three treatments at weekly or fortnightly intervals, or occasionally it might be helpful to have a couple of treatments in a week. In my experience it is unusual for someone not to experience some improvement within 2-3 sessions. If you weren't improving, then we would look at what might be interfering with your healing, and review your options.
It can sometimes be helpful to have a regular treatment every few weeks or months to support your body. We would discuss if this might be helpful for you and review your needs ongoingly.
Is treatment painful? Will I get a bad reaction to treatment?
Treatment might sometimes involve working on or near areas that are tender, but I work with sensitivity and treatment is not normally painful. I am always guided by your wishes and response to treatment. Sometimes people might feel a little sore after treatment, as after exercise, but usually this is short-lived and fades to leave you feeling more relaxed and comfortable.
Please click here if you would like more information about risks and possible reactions associated with treatment
Private health insurance
I am registered with most health insurers. You may be able to recover the cost of treatment from your insurer. Please check with them beforehand for details.
The normal procedure is that you pay the treatment fee at the time of appointment, by cash or cheque. I then give you a receipt and you can claim the cost from your insurer.
Osteopathic training
I am registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and a member of The Institute of Osteopathy.
All osteopaths engage in several years of training before qualifying and becoming registered with the GOsC, and must engage in ongoing professional development.
For more information and bookings call:
07941 531 737
West Hill House, 6 Swains Lane, N6 6QS
You are welcome to call me with any questions you have.
Email is for non urgent enquiries only please. It is always better to call rather than email.
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Sue Step Registered Osteopath,
Registered with The General Osteopathic Council,
Member of the Institute of Osteopathy.
Cranial and Structural, Mindful based approach, North London, Highgate, Gospel Oak, Islington & Camden areas
