Our Services

Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a systematic form of diagnosis and treatment that recognises the individual structural and functional integrity of the body. It utilises many diagnostic procedures used in conventional medicine, although considerable emphasis is placed on individual assessment from a mechanical, functional and postural standpoint.

There may be appropriate referral to other professionals and the request of additional investigations like blood tests and x-rays allowing a full diagnosis and subsequently a specific treatment plan developed for the individual patient.

Osteopathy treats...

Cranial Osteopathy

What is Cranial Osteopathy?

Cranial osteopathy is an extremely refined and gentle approach to osteopathic treatment. It was developed by Dr. William Garner Sutherland DO in the early twentieth century to allow the release of stresses developed throughout the body. For this reason, it can be extremely effective for treating a variety of conditions and a wide range of people. Cranial osteopathy has recently been linked to great success stories of treating colic in new born babies. However, it is suitable for all ages.

Osteopaths that practice cranial osteopathy are trained to feel a very subtle, rhythmical change in shape of all body tissues described as involuntary motion. Tension in the body disrupts this involuntary motion. Practitioners compare what your rhythm is doing to what they consider ideal. This shows them what stresses and strains your body is under at present, and what tensions it may be carrying as a result of its past history. It also gives them an insight into the overall condition of your body, for example if it is healthy, or stressed and tired.

Accumulation of stress and strain in the body

When we experience physical or emotional stresses our body tissues tend to tighten up. The body may have been able to adapt to these effects at the time, but a lasting strain often remains. Any tensions which remain held in the body can restrict its free movement. Gradually the body may find it more and more difficult to cope with accumulated stresses and symptoms may develop.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a dynamic profession concerned with human movement and function. Physiotherapists treat all ages with physical problems caused by accident, illness or ageing. It aims to look holistically to restore and maintain physical problems such as reduced range of movement, strength and poor posture. Furthermore to ensure long term management of problems such as back pain it is important to understand why and how symptoms occur in preventative measures.

Physiotherapy can be used to treat a wide variety of problems from fractures back and neck pain, including sciatica and whiplash to mobility problems. Physiotherapists use a range of treatment techniques such as spinal and joint mobilisations, massage, exercises and electrotherapy amongst other treatments.

All physiotherapists complete a 3-4 year degree training and will be Health Professions Council (HPC) registered.

Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an holistic approach to health based on over 2000 years of developments and refinements in the Far East. Western-style or medical acupuncture is a more recent development practised predominantly by doctors and osteopaths which uses a range of acupuncture techniques on the basis of a western medical diagnosis. The skill of an acupuncturist lies in their ability to make an informed diagnosis from what is often a complex pattern of symptoms.

Orthotics

The Osteopathic Centre is glad to be able to offer custom made functional orthotics that are uniquely tailored to the contours of your foot.

The Orthotics

Functional orthotics are orthopaedic insoles that correct your specific foot imbalance. They simply slip into your shoes and are made of a flexible moulded plastic.

The Orthoses you are prescribed from the Osteopathic Centre are the highest quality devices currently available in the world. They are produced for much finer tolerances than that which can be achieved using traditional methods of manufacture. This is achieved through innovative computer aided design and technology (CAD-CAM), which is now recognised by many in the profession as the way forward. They are also hand finished.

The Benefits

When the mechanics of your feet begin to work appropriately it will aid:- the reduction of muscle strain, prevent torsion and added stresses being put on the muscles, ligaments and joints of the foot, ankle, knees, hips and spine. Therefore correcting any imbalance at the feet can have a great effect through the body, even all the way up to the head.

Value for Money

Many people use ‘generic’ insoles that can be picked off the shelf. For this reason they will not suit everyone and may turn out to be a waste of money.

Functional orthotics are produced from specific measurements and individual ‘off weight-bearing’ casts of the patient’s feet that are a true reflection of the patient’s foot mechanics and therefore correct the most subtle of foot imbalances. Due to this process, functional orthotics can be expensive with prices from £300. Therefore, it is important that patients considering using prescription orthotics use them properly to gain the full value of a product that is uniquely designed to their own feet.

To learn more, please visit: www.pegasusorthoses.com

Podiatry (Chiropody)

What is Podiatry?

Podiatry, formerly referred to as Chiropody, is a field of healthcare primarily devoted to the study and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and sometimes knee, leg and hip (collectively known as the lower extremity).

Massage

www.bishopstortfordmassage.co.uk

Homeopathy

www.janemurphyhomeopathy.co.uk