Many people visit our clinics seeking osteopathy for pain relief. Our osteopaths support people of all ages whose life is affected by pain, whether that’s from an injury sustained through sports or at work, or chronic conditions like arthritis. Doctors write 55 million prescriptions for painkillers each year, so it’s not surprising that so many people seek alternative methods for pain relief.
Osteopathic treatment aims to improve mobility and support the whole musculoskeletal system so that pain relief is long-term and sustained. Your osteopath will also help diagnose the cause of the pain so further injury can be avoided.
Why choose osteopathy for pain relief?
Osteopathy is a holistic system. Osteopaths recognise that often, pain comes from imbalances in an individual’s musculoskeletal structure and function. They also work with the body’s natural healing ability to achieve lasting pain relief. Treatment does not include the use of drugs or surgery.
Osteopathic treatment uses gentle, manual techniques to ease pain. Sometimes they move a patient’s body in a way that results in a sound like a crack. This is just the sound of gas popping in the joints. Osteopaths work with each individual to achieve pain relief through
• Increasing or restoring joint mobility
• Relieving muscle tension
• Reducing pain and stiffness in muscles and joints
• Improving blood flow
• Enhancing tissue elasticity
Osteopathy and the treatment of pain
Our osteopaths seek to accurately diagnose the cause of pain, and to treat it using methods
ranging from massage to manipulation and stretching of joints. This helps to reduce inflammation, ease muscle spasm, improve mobility and allow any damaged tissues to heal.
Where pain is chronic and caused by degenerative changes, pain management is an important part of osteopathic treatment. Your osteopath will offer advice on self-care protocols to support pain relief.
A holistic approach to pain relief
Because osteopathy is a holistic therapy, practitioners will work to get the body back in balance, as a whole. Osteopaths understand that all body parts are interconnected. The benefits of this approach are that in treating pain, other complaints and conditions may improve, for example conditions in digestion, circulation, and respiration.
Another aspect of osteopathic treatment is the assessment of a patient’s lifestyle. An osteopath will ask questions about stress, emotional aspects and other factors that may impact an individual’s overall health and wellbeing.
Osteopaths will offer advice and guidance on self care at home, using stretches and exercise routines to speed recovery from injury and pain relief.
If you are suffering pain or discomfort in any way, why not give us a call to book in a consultation with one of our osteopaths? Whether the pain is acute (due to a recent injury for example) or chronic (due to a long-term condition), our osteopaths have the expertise to help you with pain relief.
