Osteopathy is a unique, whole body approach to manual medicine that recognises the relationship between the structure of the body and the way that it functions.
An osteopath looks at the body holistically, focusing on how the bones, joints, muscles, nerves, circulation, connective tissue and internal organs work together. In this way, osteopaths treat not just the site of pain, but the point of origin as well.
Osteopathy is ideal for all age groups, and can assist with a range of conditions including:
After taking a detailed medical history and performing a full osteopathic examination, your osteopath will chat to you about the goals you wish to achieve through your treatment.
Your osteopath will then use a range of direct and indirect techniques in order to manipulate the body, particularly tissues and joints.
Direct techniques include:
Soft tissue therapy is a form of massage or stretching that applies firm or light pressure directly to a muscle to encourage it to relax.
MET is an osteopathic therapy that uses the patient’s muscle contractions against the practitioner’s counterforce to lengthen tissues. The purpose of this is to restore joint mobility and increase tissue mobility.
Articulation involves rhythmic movement of a joint to increase its mobility.
HVLA technique is commonly known as ‘manipulation’ or ‘cracking.’ It involves a small, quick movement of a joint and can be associated with a pop or a crack. Practitioners will only utilise this technique if appropriate.
Indirect osteopathic techniques include:
The counterstrain technique involves locating a tight point in a muscle and passively placing the muscle off stretch. Counterstrain encourages the tissue to return to its normal resting position, and patients should feel a release of tension.
BLT focuses on placing the tissues around a joint into their most balanced and relaxed position in order to achieve a release of the tissues.
Your osteopath at GSE Health will provide you with the most gentle, safe and effective osteopathic treatment, as well as advice on how to manage any pain or ailments you may be experiencing.
Our team of Warragul osteopaths provide lifestyle and osteopathic plans customised to each unique patient.
Contact GSE Health today to book an osteopathy appointment. You do not require a referral from your GP to see an osteopath.
