Osteopathy and Acupuncture

Ph: 03 980 2425 or 021 043 6282

Monday

Tuesday & evening

Wednesday am

Thursday & evening

Friday & evening

Weekend appointments are also available

Fees - Osteopathy or Acupuncture (or both): $60 (children, students, community card holders $50)

"The doctor of the future will give little medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease." Thomas A. Edison

Although Edison talks (above) about the 'doctor of the future', manual medicine has a history dating back to the beginnings of human civilization. Accounts are found from the Egyptians, the Chinese, and in the writing of Hippocrates – the founder of Western medicine.

Osteopathy as a system of manual medicine and health care was founded by the American physician Andrew Still (1828 - 1917). Osteopathy’s principles involve the reciprocal relationship between the body's structure (anatomy) e.g. muscles, bones and joints, and the body's functions (physiology) e.g. the viscera and processes. This can be appreciated by looking at the nervous system in close proximity to the spine itself.

The principal of structure governs function could be summarised by something like: 'Get the structure right and everything else will follow.' Osteopathy's other principles involve seeing the body as an integral unit, where each part affects and is affected by every other part; together with seeing each individual as a unity of body, mind and spirit. The body is also viewed as a self-healing, self-repairing mechanism, capable of making its own remedies against disease and other toxic conditions. This should be easily possible when a normal structural relationship exists within the body, and there are favourable environmental conditions, and adequate rest and nutrition.

Many people consult an osteopath when they experience back pain or other muscular pain, perhaps caused by unaccustomed exertion, effort or strain. These pains can be symptomatic of a much a much earlier failure of the structure itself. Many of us lead sedentary lives, with many hours spent sitting - at work, whilst driving, or watching TV -and this leads to poor posture. Consequently our muscles work hard trying to compensate, working hard to correct abnormalities.

For example, if the muscles in front around the abdomen are weak, then the muscles around the back may have to work very hard to maintain the support necessary for the spinal column. Locating and treating the pain with painkillers is relatively straightforward - however osteopathy goes deeper to diagnose and treat the underlying causes and altered biomechanics that created the symptoms.

REMEDIAL EXERCISE

To assist, maintain and promote well-being, relieve pain (and help prevent its reoccurrence) I also can suggest specific stretching and core-stability exercises.

You benefit from seeing a musculoskeletal specialist and the consultation (up to one hour, longer than most other clinics) will be similar to that of any registered medical practitioner. You receive a more personal and thorough treatment in a more relaxing and less stressful environment.

A detailed case history is taken, how your symptoms began, what affects them, health problems, accidents or injuries, medications, surgeries and lifestyle habits. Some appropriate clothing may sometimes be asked to be removed in order to conduct a physical examination. It is a good idea, where possible, to wear loose fitting clothing - for treatment - or possibly bring shorts and a T-shirt to change into, for your examination and treatment.

Neurological, orthopaedic, cardiovascular etc examinations may also be performed, where relevant. Osteopathic evaluation of your body’s biomechanics (structure, posture and physical movements) would then conclude the examination, leading to a diagnosis. If necessary, further investigations such as X-rays, blood tests, MRI scanning etc may be required for referral. Diagnosis, clinical findings and an appropriate treatment plan with projected recovery would be explained and discussed.

For your first consultation it is helpful if you bring with you any medical reports, X-rays or current medication.

Twenty to thirty minutes of your initial visit will be spent taking a history, and on the physical examination. The remaining thirty minutes will be spent receiving osteopathic treatment.

Osteopathic treatment includes soft-tissue (massage) techniques to the muscles themselves, in addition to other techniques that can affect muscle tone. The spine and other joints may be moved (articulated) gently, or released using a high velocity technique (manipulation). Sometimes a 'clicking' sound is heard, due to cavitation within the joint. This sound is caused by tiny bubbles of gas being released from lubricating fluid within the joint. (the gas is quickly reabsorbed back into the fluid). The important point is that the joint is briefly separated and the mobility and the mechanical integrity of the joint have been re-established. Most of the body's functions depend on the muscles operating from the spinal column itself. Normalising the structure allows these functions to take place naturally.

Many people find that it does. Osteopathic treatment of the spine can affect the autonomic nervous system that supplies the whole body. Impulses from the brain are transmitted through the spinal column. A network of nerves and ganglions linked to muscles act from these impulses to perform every function throughout the body. Any damage, lesions, or restrictions of movement in the vertebra will adversely effect the functions of systemic structures in the body, e.g. lung, liver, large intestine and so on.

This depends on the individual and the nature of the condition. If a joint will not move freely, for example, it is probable that this condition has developed over a number of years. Osteopathic treatment can release 'bind' or adhesions (fibrous tissues that form across damaged joints) preventing full mobility by manipulation. Treatment increases the range of movement, and more importantly - relieves the pain. Several osteopathic treatments may be required because the joint can stiffen between the treatments.

Most people find Cranial Osteopathy to be the most gentle and relaxing of all treatment. Lightly holding the head and allowing very slight changes to occur within the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes and nourishes the brain and spinal cord, profound and far reaching changes can occur in the body's function and homeostasis.

Traditional Chinese Acupuncture is based on a medical system many thousands of years old. It works by inserting ultra-fine needles below the skin, to re-balance the body's energy moving both internally and also externally (near the surface) through a system of channels called 'meridians'. After an acupuncture needle (disposable – single use only) is inserted, a not unpleasant tingling or dull aching sensation is often felt. This is a sign that the treatment has effected the movement of vital energy (which could be deficient, excessive, or simply not moving).

The theory of acupuncture is that these channels that flow between the interior and exterior of the body can be affected at specific points along the course of the meridian. There are several hundred acupuncture points, although only around one hundred points are commonly used, and there has been a great deal of research in recent years which has identified acupuncture points as areas of decreased electrical resistance on the skin, and very often areas at or near peripheral nerve pathways.

Acupuncture is often used to treat painful conditions. For example: headaches, migraine, back-pain, arthritis, and so on. However, because of the relation of the meridians to the interior, many other conditions may also respond favourably: among these are depression, anxiety and stress related disorders; digestive complaints; skin diseases, allergies, asthma, and women's health. Acupuncture works not just by treating the symptoms, but by addressing the underlying imbalances of energy that predispose to certain illnesses.

The initial consultation lasts about forty minutes to an hour - as a full medical history will be taken. You will be asked about your current symptoms, and what treatment you have received so far. The acupuncture diagnosis will include taking your pulse at each wrist, and looking at your tongue; and questions will be asked about your general health, emotions, sleep pattern and diet.

Needles are inserted for about twenty minutes; and may also include points some distance from the area where the pain is felt. For example, needles may be placed in the hand or foot to treat headaches. The aim of treatment is to rebalance your body's overall energy, in addition to simply treating the current symptoms.

Subsequent treatments last about twenty to thirty minutes, and the number of treatments depends on yourself as an individual, and also the nature of the condition. Normally you might need acupuncture once, or twice a week at first; although some conditions may need less frequent attention. Sometimes the effects of acupuncture can be very successful with only one or two treatments. For some people, the effects are more subtle - and they may need treatment over several months.

After studying Psychology, and a background in teaching, I trained in both Osteopathy (London School of Osteopathy) and Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (London and China). Post-graduate training included both classical (John Wernham College of Classical Osteopathy) Cranial Osteopathy (British School of Osteopathy and Upledger training) and Chinese Herbal Medicine (University of Westminster). I moved to New Zealand in 2008, and now live and work in Christhcurch.