39 Hobsonville Rd
West Harbour
Ph. (09) 4160097
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HOW WE TREAT 

Our treatment is based primarily on osteopathic philosophy and hands-on techniques. For complicated conditions we use a selection of adjunctive therapies, such as acupuncture, apitherapy, soft orthotics fitting, exercise prescription, ergonomic recommendations.


The core of osteopathic approach is the holistic view on the body to find the area of dysfunction and applying gentle adjusting force to correct the problem. In other words, even if you are coming with a shoulder pain, we will examine your lower limbs alighnment, pelvic symmetry, lumbar movements and so on, because sometimes the root of the problem may be located in a distant part of the body. 

Osteopathic treatment can be broadly divided into structural, visceral and cranial techniques. 

Structural techniques involve soft tissue release (like massage, but more specific and effective), joint mobilization by moving the joint in specific directions and, if needed, joint manipulation. This treatment is very effective for sprained muscles, ligaments, locked joints, sports injuries and many other so called mechanical problems (where body parts are not moving properly). 

How does it feel? 

After examination typically you will be asked to lie on the couch relaxed and the practitioner will start working with the soft tissues - you will feel stretching, some pressure, occasionally tenderness. Then joints of you body will be moved in a special manner while you stay relaxed. Now and then the joint might be pushed or moved with a quick impulse motion and you may hear a 'click' or 'pop' - that's how joint manipulation is done. Note that all these techniques (including joint manipulations) are usually painless and very safe, we use as little force as we can to make the locked joint move. 

We don't use joint manipulation in every case (like for an elderly patient with weak bones or for very young patients). If you are totally against using joint manipulation (some people are) - let us know and we will avoid them. We are very experienced in other techniques, such as balanced ligamentous tension, muscel energy techniques and others.

Visceral techniques involve feeling and moving the internal organs, such as, liver, intestines, uterus or kidneys. They are great for adhesions, scarring after surgical operation and abdominal discomfort. A lot of spinal conditions may be related to disorders of the internal organs and unless internal organs are addressed back or neck pain may persist despite treating spinal joint only. 

How does it feel? 

It feels like someone is pulling, probing and stretching your tummy. No sudden movements or twists. Occasionally a bit tender, but mostly comfortable. 

Cranial osteopathy is a gentle adjustment of the pulsation of the head/spinal fluid (cranial rhythm). This is perfect for newborn babies and children who often end up with cranial misalignment as a result of birth process. Some conditions in adults can also be treated using cranial techniques. 

How does it feel? 

Nothing like structural or visceral. The practitioner applies VERY light pressure on the head and makes light adjustments to the cranial rhythm. Sometimes a hand is put under pelvis (under sacrum) and similar adjustments are made to the movement of the sacrum. You hardly feel any pressure from the hands, but changes in the body as it recovers may be quite profound. It is not uncommon for patients to experience short lasting ache, tingling in different body parts or even emotional stir up.  
 

More on what to expect during osteopathic consultation here
http://www.osteopathy.org/osteopathy/what-to-expect-from-a-consultation/