Sunningdale Osteopathic Clinic

Spinal pain and dysfunction, both acute (recent origin) and chronic (longer term), is the bane of our lives. 80% of people will, at some point, suffer from it to a greater or lesser degree. Although low back pain is the most common form of spinal pain, the following points also apply to pain in the thoracic and cervical (neck) areas.

The evidence is clear that it is very important to avoid the development of chronic or recurring low back pain. Surgery is not a 'cure' for low back pain, but more of an end-stage pain management approach. Surgery can, though, in a high number of cases help resolve sciatic (leg) pain that refuses to get better despite proper manual therapy and rehabilitation.

The NHS does not cope well with low back pain, mainly because of the well known lack of resources. It is important to seek proper private care as soon as a low back episode looks as though it is not going to resolve, or as soon as it becomes apparent that the low back pain keeps coming back.

Most kinds of sports or activity related pain or problem can be helped by osteopathy. Most osteopaths have a sound knowledge of the physical requirements of each sport and its training regime. This, allied to osteopathic diagnosis and treatment, often results in improved performance and a reduced risk of an activity or training related relapse.

If extensive rehabilitation or further medical intervention is required, appropriate contacts and referrals will be made to other professionals.

Typical examples of trauma are whiplash, falls and fractures. Traumas such as these can have insidious and long term effects unless properly dealt with at the time. This is important at any age, but is especially so for children. Too often we assume that the effects of a heavy fall by a child, which causes a few days of low back pain, leave the body as soon as the pain subsides. This can happen, but often doesn't! When it doesn't, it leaves the child's body having to cope with a stiffness or spinal restriction that is quite unnecessary!

Muscular pain and aches are very common. We all get them from time to time. When they become 'established' through postural abuse (for example, working at a computer), through poor spinal mechanics and so on, then they can have significant effects on our overall energy and vitality levels.

'Peripheral' joint pain and dysfunction (e.g. hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, wrist, etc.) can be effectively helped through osteopathic treatment. For example, if you have been told by your doctor that your joint pain is due to osteoarthritis, you should not assume you are inevitably going to need a replacement joint. Proper osteopathic and self care can make an enormous difference in a lot of cases.

In a lot of headaches a significant component is some form of spinal dysfunction, but even true migraine patterns may be helped in some cases. This may be particularly true as we get older.

Postural pain, aches and other dysfunctions can be dramatically helped by a program of treatment and self-exercise. There are various approaches to 're-posturing', ranging from the taught exercises of the Alexander technique, to the structural integration approach developed by Ida P Rolfe. Osteopathy is also very effective. Treatment is applied to the whole body, and often not to the areas where the patient feels the problem is!

Osteopathy can help change a dysfunctional posture into one that liberates the natural energy and vitality of your body. It is a two way process, involving a course of treatment (often up to ten treatments) and - for about two months - a daily program of postural and movement exercises. This approach is such 'common sense' for the body, that in those people who are in reasonable health, good results are virtually certain to follow.