Welcome to Birchington Osteopathic Clinic

Offering up-to-date musculoskeletal care through a combination of Osteopathy and Western Medical Acupuncture.

What Is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a means of diagnosing and treating functional problems within the musculoskeletal system that are commonly missed by conventional medicine. These problems typically manifest as restriction within one or more of the joints or increased tension within sets of muscles. This restriction logically leads to uneven, non-symmetrical forces through the body, this in turn advances to adaptation, strain and ultimately pain. This mechanism of restriction and irritation is responsible for or exacerbates many musculoskeletal conditions. It is by improving the function of these areas by means of specialised osteopathic techniques that osteopaths improve their patient's movement and reduce their pain.

Osteopaths are trained extensively in anatomy, physiology and pathology among many other subjects and are therefore not limited diagnostically to their namesake.  Osteopaths use conventional orthopaedic and neurological diagnostic procedures alongside their specialised osteopathic processes and will always refer a patient if they believe it to be necessary or more relevant.

Osteopaths' patient-centred approach to health and well-being means they consider symptoms in the context of the patient's full medical history, as well as their lifestyle and personal circumstances.  This holistic approach ensures that all treatment is tailored to the individual patient.

Osteopathy is a primary healthcare profession, this means that although you may be advised by your GP to visit an osteopath a referral is not necessary.
Research into osteopathy is leading to increasing acceptance by conventional medicine. Osteopathy is now available through the NHS in around 20% of the country and is featured in the updated NICE (national institute for clinical excellence) guidelines for low back pain. http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/11887/44343/44343.pdf

The body is a unit
It has its own self-protecting and regulating mechanisms
Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated
Dr A.T. Still Founder of Osteopathy