Osteopathy, Sports Injury Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy,
SERVICES
welcome to OHS
Osteopathic medicine is a holistic approach to health and is great for people of all ages. Developed in 1874, osteopathy uses a precise knowledge of the body, its physiology and the workings behind it.
The treatment we offer encompasses a person as a whole and aims to discover what is preventing the body from healing. We then work with you to remove the stimulus or irritant, responsible for disrupting your body, and help restore its natural balance.
Our fresh and friendly clinic accepts eftpos, visa, mastercard and cash. For your convenience we also have a Hicaps facility that allows you to claim your health refund at the time of payment. We have a text message reminder system that will contact you the day before your appointment if required. If there is anything we can do to make your experience better, just let us know.
what can we help with?
Early Childhood Complaints
Back & Neck Pain
Sports Injuries
Headaches
Pregnancy Related Pain
Foot Pain
Asthma
IBS
Arthritis
Back Pain
Your back is a complex structure of bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons and nerves.
(Refer to diagram, right)
The back bone is made up of vertebrae, bones which protect the spinal cord. Ligaments and muscles are tissues that provide support but may also be torn and weakened. Discs are located between vertebrae and act as shock absorbers. These can wear down, rupture or bulge out.
The nerves, carry messages through the spinal cord from the organs in the body to and from the brain. These may get pinched, stretched and irritated.
Back pain may occur suddenly (acute pain) or develop slowly and persist for more than three months (chronic pain).
Chronic back pain is estimated to affect 80% of world’s population. Your back is very vulnerable! Many people do not think about it until they have back pain. Your osteopath will provide relaxing and pleasant techniques to manage your neck and back pain.
Risk Factors
Age: back pain is more common as age increases due to wear and tear on the spine
Diet: high fat and calorie diet can lead to one becoming overweight, causing back pain due to the additional stress of increased weight
Inactivity: people who are inactive are at an increased risk due to weak back and abdominal muscles that cannot support the spine. Lack of exercise is also a result of reduced bone density causing weak bones and increasing the risk of fractures.
Poor posture: slouching, not keeping your back straight, not maintaining correct alignment of back during daily activities (eg. driving, carrying loads, sitting at a desk, sleeping); may lead to back pain.
Smoking: smoking can cause back pain through preventing the delivery of nutrients to the discs in lower back; coughing; and slowing the process of healing hence delaying the effect of pain relief.
Occupational: tasks you do in your job affect your back. A job that requires heavy lifting, twisting, bending, and repetitive movement can lead to back pain as much as work that requires you to sit behind a desk in front of a computer.
Presence of other conditions:there are conditions that may lead to back pain such as arthritis and cancer.
Causes: Back pain can be caused by: ruptured discs, muscular tension, spasm, sport injuries, poor posture, emotional stress, kidney stones, and presence of underlying conditions: pregnancy, arthritis, urinary infection
Symptoms: Back pain (also referred to as dorsopathy) can occur in any area of the back and range in types and severity of pain. The pain can be dull, sharp, and may seem doing a simple task is a huge effort. Some people may not even be able to do a simple task due to severe back pain. The pain may also be localised or radiate to other parts of the body.
The type of pain may range from: tight, stiff, pulling, tingling, shooting down the leg. Person may feel warm or cool sensations. When the nerve is compressed person may feel numb and weak in the muscle, pinched nerve results in stabbing or burning pain.
Other symptoms may include: difficulty passing urine, loss of balance when standing
Neck Pain
The neck consists of seven vertebrae, referred to as cervical vertebrae C1 – C7. Some symptoms may include: stiffness, soreness, cramps and tightness.
Neck pain can be caused by: cervical muscle strain, stress, muscle tension, poor sleep posture, Osteopaths can treat chronic or acute pain and treat to prevent pain recurring.
Osteopathy Management
Osteopathy takes on the holistic approach when planning the treatment plan, obtaining information about your lifestyle (diet, exercise and work) and underlying conditions with aim to minimise and prevent back pain.
To effectively manage back pain, the osteopath may use manipulation.
Manipulation is hands on and means the therapeutic application of manual pressure.
This is where the osteopath uses their hands to examine the spine and nearby muscles, or pain and restriction during motion that could signal an injury or impaired function.
There are several techniques of manipulation:
Soft tissue technique: this involves the application of deep pressure to the muscles around the spine and rhythmic stretching
Thrust technique: the osteopath applies a high velocity force to restore specific joint and muscle movement. This technique is used for restricted movement, tissue changes and tender muscles.
Counterstrain: is a manual procedure where the patient is moved into a position that will help the body restore motion to any strained muscles.
Muscle energy technique: the osteopath is able to restore movement through application of specific exercises.
The Osteopath can also use other techniques such as low level laser or acupuncture to manage your pain. Osteopaths will also be able to advise you with strategies that are effective and suitable to your lifestyle and condition. This may involve stretching, exercises, diet, correct posture to maximise your health and quality of life.
An important element in back pain management and prevention of its reoccurrence is the understanding how back pain occurs. Refer to diagram below. It is important to note that your osteopath will begin to assess your back pain at the initial level and progressing throughout all the steps. The management of the condition will not only focus on eliminating pain and diagnosis but correcting the problem starting with imbalance of muscles.
QUALIFICATION DETAILS
Meet The Staff
Matthew Fry BSc (Hons.) Ost Med
Principal Osteopath
Matthew graduated from the European School of Osteopathy in Kent UK, with a Bachelor of Science Honors degree in Osteopathic Medicine.
Following the completion of his degree Matthew remained in London for a few years, deciding in 2005 to relocate to beautiful Sydney, where he has been practicing ever since.
Matthew firmly believes in a holistic approach, integrating postural, ergonomic, metabolic and general health elements in his assessment diagnosis and treatment.
His emphasis is placed on helping the patient to understand the factors that contribute to their condition then to incorporate an informed practical self help strategy into their lives to achieve their overall goals and optimize quality of life. The treatment he performs is tailored, effective and hands on.
Jane Kennedy
Remedial Massage Therapist
Jane completed her training at The Nature Care College and has been practicing as a remedial massage therapist, in the inner west area, for the last 18 months.
Working both along side the principle osteopath and independently, Jane tailors her style of massage depending upon your needs.
With extensive experience in competitive sport, Jane possesses a detailed understanding of sporting injuries and is therefore particularly effective in the treatment of soft tissue. In addition to this she also offers an exceptional relaxation massage, for those wishing to simply unwind and de-stress. For more information or to make an appointment phone today!
Victoria Bennett
Acupuncturist
Victoria graduated from the university of technology with a bachelor of health science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). She has also undertaken studies in oriental medicine relating to paediatrics and obstetrics.
Her treatments achieve the best possible results whilst catering to individual needs and range of comfort.
Other modalities as well as acupuncture include cupping, tunia, moxibustion and ion pumping cords.
These techniques can be used to treat a broad spectrum of conditions other than musculoskeletal pain such as, headaches, digestive complaints, asthma, anxiety, insomnia, depression, pregnancy pain and much more.
Craniosacral Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage, Osteopathy, Remedial Massage, Sports Injury Therapy, Sports Massage
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