|
Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that focuses on the connection between the body’s structures and how it functions. Osteopaths do this by focusing on how the bones, joints, muscles and nerves (neuromuscular system) interact together, whilst ensuring all areas receive adequate circulation, blood flow and lymphatic drainage, to improve your overall health and wellbeing. Osteopaths are required to complete a 5 year university degree to become registered as primary health care practitioners within Australia, specialising in musculoskeletal conditions. This allows your treatment to be covered by health funds, the Chronic Disease Management Plan (formerly EPC), WorkCover and the Department of Veteran Affairs. Some of the conditions we treat include: |
|
Some of the conditions we treat include:
|
|
Osteopathy or osteopathic treatment uses skilled evaluation, diagnosis and a variety of hands-on techniques ranging from massage and stretching to gentle mobilisation of specific joints and soft tissues.
Osteopathy is suitable for all ages from newborns to the elderly and treatment is tailored to the individual and their specific requirements on a case by case basis. This is because different techniques work more effectively for different people depending on their genetics, flexibility, age, type of injury or condition and comfort level.
Initial consult - what to expect?
At Alstonville Osteopathy you can expect your Osteopath to take a thorough case history and an assessment of your posture and biomechanical movement patterns. We will then discuss with you a proposed treatment involving techniques aimed at improving your health and wellbeing.
You may bring a friend or family member to your consultation and treatment if you wish and you can expect your initial treatment to last up to one hour.
Before you come to your initial consult
- Bring any relevant images or reports including your x-rays, MRI or CT-scans
- Wear loose comfortable clothing
After Treatment
- Most people feel more relaxed after treatment, with improved movement and decreased pain levels, it is not uncommon to feel tired after treatment so remember it may be a good idea to take it easy after any treatment to allow the body the rest it requires.
- Occasionally you can feel sore following treatment due to changes that have occurred to your body such as stretching and release of previously tight muscles. This can last between 24-72hrs.
- Ensure you remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
We look forward to taking care of you and your family!
|
Remedial Massage
Remedial Massage is a form of deep tissue massage which is focused on regaining functional muscle tone and soft tissue flexibility to assist recovery from or to help prevent injury. This form of massage works by increasing blood flow to the tissues, removal of stagnant toxic fluids, and encouraging lymphatic drainage. The effect of this is normalised soft tissue flexibility and thus improved joint mobility and removing restrictions. Soft tissue tension affects the normal position of the joints and associated nerve tissue. Therefore it is often involved in movement imbalances, postural dysfunctions and is almost always a contributing factor in musculoskeletal pain. This type of massage is ideal for sports people, chronic pain syndromes, injuries and those with severe muscle tension. |
|
One or more of the following techniques/styles may be used during your session:
- Remedial
- Deep Tissue
- Sports
- Swedish/Relaxation
- Pregnancy and Postnatal
- Dry Needling
- Trigger Point Therapy
- Taping
We are accredited members of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS).
Dry Needling
Dry Needling involves multiple advances of an acupuncture needle into the muscle in the region of a "Trigger Point'. The aim of Dry Needling is to achieve a local twitch response to release muscle tension and pain and is an effective treatment for chronic pain with very few side effects.
The needle used is very thin and most patients do not even feel it penetrate the skin. A healthy muscle feels very little discomfort with insertion of this needle, however if the muscle is sensitive and shortened or has active trigger points within it, the subject will feel a sensation like a muscle cramp -'the twitch response'.
Patients soon learn to recognise and even welcome this sensation as it results in deactivating the trigger point, reducing pain and restoring normal length function to the involved muscle. It is not the same as acupuncture that works on the energy meridians of the body, dry needling is primarily focused on musculoskeletal injuries, and as such often accompanies a massage session rather than being utilised alone.
ProKinetics™® are the latest in body balancing and posture correction insoles available in Australia.
Correct posture is essential to musculoskeletal health and general well being. Our modern sedentary lifestyle adversely affects our posture. For correct posture we sometimes need help. Based on cutting-edge kinetic technology, ProKinetics insoles help your body by taking undue pressure off the feet, thereby improving your body's postural alignment, function and performance. ProKinetics also help in many cases to reduce joint pain, including low back pain, by helping to realign the posture.
What are ProKinetics?
ProKinetics are a versatile shoe insole designed to improve the body's postural alignment, function and performance. Designed and developed by Professor Brian Rothbart, a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the US with over 40 years of clinical experience. ProKinetics employ a forefoot technology which focuses on supporting the ball of the foot to decrease the rolling-in of the feet.
Excessive rolling-in of the feet (also called hyperpronation) can cause excessive twisting of the ankle, knee, hip and lower back, resulting in joint pain and restriction in the body's range of movement. ProKinetics help to limit this excessive twisting movement by providing a stimulus to the ball of the foot which helps to re-adjust posture.
Anyone can benefit from using ProKinetics on a daily basis, whether you're a serious athlete, casual walker or have a physically demanding occupation. ProKinetics are comfortable and can be used in many shoe types.
ProKinetics are available in two variations, depending on your needs:
Slimline ProKinetics: Designed to fit all shoes, especially dress-up shoes. Come with the option of arch support and therefore ideal for those with fallen arches and/or flat feet.
Sport ProKinetics: Designed to fit exercise shoes and work boots. Provide more cushioning and support so can be beneficial for people who are on their feet most of the day. Ideal for those who experience plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and shin splints.
Correct posture is essential to musculoskeletal health and general well being. Our modern sedentary lifestyle adversely affects our posture. For correct posture we sometimes need help. Based on cutting-edge kinetic technology, ProKinetics insoles help your body by taking undue pressure off the feet, thereby improving your body's postural alignment, function and performance. ProKinetics also help in many cases to reduce joint pain, including low back pain, by helping to realign the posture.
What are ProKinetics?
ProKinetics are a versatile shoe insole designed to improve the body's postural alignment, function and performance. Designed and developed by Professor Brian Rothbart, a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the US with over 40 years of clinical experience. ProKinetics employ a forefoot technology which focuses on supporting the ball of the foot to decrease the rolling-in of the feet.
Excessive rolling-in of the feet (also called hyperpronation) can cause excessive twisting of the ankle, knee, hip and lower back, resulting in joint pain and restriction in the body's range of movement. ProKinetics help to limit this excessive twisting movement by providing a stimulus to the ball of the foot which helps to re-adjust posture.
Anyone can benefit from using ProKinetics on a daily basis, whether you're a serious athlete, casual walker or have a physically demanding occupation. ProKinetics are comfortable and can be used in many shoe types.
ProKinetics are available in two variations, depending on your needs:
Slimline ProKinetics: Designed to fit all shoes, especially dress-up shoes. Come with the option of arch support and therefore ideal for those with fallen arches and/or flat feet.
Sport ProKinetics: Designed to fit exercise shoes and work boots. Provide more cushioning and support so can be beneficial for people who are on their feet most of the day. Ideal for those who experience plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and shin splints.
|
Benefits
ProKinetics can help reduce the incidence of injury and help those with:
|
|
Pain and Posture
“Posture is the single most common cause of painful soft tissue syndromes affecting the body.”
Karel Lewit, MD, PhD.
When standing, the feet are the foundation of our posture. When the feet roll-in, they influence the positioning of the rest of our joints, all the way up to the head. Moreover, when one leg is shorter than the other, the problem is compounded because the foot of the shorter leg tends to roll-in more than the other foot creating an imbalance in the body's alignment.
In good posture, the body uses only its postural muscles when standing. The dynamic muscles only come into action with body movements like walking, cycling and running.
In bad posture, the body has to recruit its dynamic muscles to support and balance itself. This leads to more energy expenditure by the body in order to support and balance itself. Another negative impact of bad posture is the fatigue of dynamic muscles because they are turned on all the time to support the body. Dynamic muscles are designed to work and rest, not to work continuously. This is why bad posture can make you feel tired and sore in weight bearing parts of the body, like the back, knees and feet.
When the dynamic muscles fatigue, they also become stretched and weakened, whereas the postural muscles become shortened and spasm.
Book your appointment with Alstonville Osteopathy to see if ProKinetic Insoles can help you.
“Posture is the single most common cause of painful soft tissue syndromes affecting the body.”
Karel Lewit, MD, PhD.
When standing, the feet are the foundation of our posture. When the feet roll-in, they influence the positioning of the rest of our joints, all the way up to the head. Moreover, when one leg is shorter than the other, the problem is compounded because the foot of the shorter leg tends to roll-in more than the other foot creating an imbalance in the body's alignment.
In good posture, the body uses only its postural muscles when standing. The dynamic muscles only come into action with body movements like walking, cycling and running.
In bad posture, the body has to recruit its dynamic muscles to support and balance itself. This leads to more energy expenditure by the body in order to support and balance itself. Another negative impact of bad posture is the fatigue of dynamic muscles because they are turned on all the time to support the body. Dynamic muscles are designed to work and rest, not to work continuously. This is why bad posture can make you feel tired and sore in weight bearing parts of the body, like the back, knees and feet.
When the dynamic muscles fatigue, they also become stretched and weakened, whereas the postural muscles become shortened and spasm.
Book your appointment with Alstonville Osteopathy to see if ProKinetic Insoles can help you.
|
Ergonomic Assessments
At Alstonville Osteopathy we place great value on functional workplace ergonomics. Our practitioners have significant experience in treating postural related presentations, often predisposed by poor ergonomics in the home study or workplace. Not only can we treat the symptoms of headaches, back and neck pain, repetitive strain injury in the wrist and hand etc, we can also look at what is the cause of the problem, most often an ergonomic related issue i.e. desk or chair height, repetitive use of one side of the body etc, for a large percentage of desk workers and students. Offering onsite assessments in your workplace, we offer both short assessments with a brief summary of our findings and suggestions through to a detailed assessment with very specific recommendations, images and a full report of required alterations. This can be conducted as an independent assessment, or in many cases is done as an adjunct to your osteopathic treatment. |
|
|
Running Assessments
Running is a complex and dynamic activity that places significant stress on the body. A specific assessment of your biomechanics whilst running can provide invaluable information about the cause of your symptoms, and provide explanations for your pain. What is a running assessment? We are experienced in running technique assessment, and how your running technique impacts on your body. Our detailed video analysis will enable us to provide an overview of your running and from this video your osteopath is then able to perform specific isolated tests to further investigate potential areas of weakness, tightness or overload. |
|
Our running assessments are often utilised as part of an injury rehabilitation plan, however a running assessment is also a valuable tool to help you enhance performance and remain injury free.
Taping - RockTape
At Alstonville Osteopathy we work alongside many athletes and sporting teams, using kinesiology tape as part of increasing their sports performance, rehabilitation and injury prevention. However taping can be used in many different situations such as during pregnancy to take the pressure off the pelvic ligaments, low back pain, carpal tunnel, swollen ankles and postural complaints to allow someone to recognise correct postural patterns etc.
What Is Rocktape
What does it do?
RockTape is a premium brand of kinesiology tape. First used in Japan, today kinesiology tape is used by a wide variety of health professionals throughout the world to treat injuries and pain.
How does it work?
Unlike traditional athletic tape that binds and doesn’t stretch, ROCKTAPE is engineered to mimic the human skin. This stretchiness is the secret behind ROCKTAPE. ROCKTAPE stretches up to 180% of its original length but has amazing ‘snap-back’ or recovery. This is what gives ROCKTAPE its performance advantage over other tapes.
RockTape can be used in a variety of ways to achieve different benefits:
When RockTape is applied with little or no stretch on the tape but lots of stretch on the tissue it causes the skin to form convulsions and wrinkle. This creates a bio-mechanical lifting mechanism that decompresses the tissue just under the skin. It is believed that this decompression and having tape on our skin creates 3 main effects:
• Fluid Effect: By causing decompression the tape promotes a more normal fluid dynamic in the taped area. Swelling is better able to flow out of the area, taking with it toxins which result from inflammation and injury. Also blood has less resistance to enter the area bringing with it more oxygen and nutrients vital for healing and recovery. This fluid effect is probably behind the dramatic improvement in swollen and bruised tissue that is often seen when Rocktape is applied.
• Mechanical Effect: As pressure on the vertical layer cake of tissue between skin and bone is reduced more normal slide and glide mechanics between the layers of tissue is restored. It is likely that this is the mechanism that can make someone who can only bend as far as their knees touch their toes in an instant!
• Neurological Effect: A lot of pain generated by movement or muscle contraction is generated by nerve endings in the space between the skin and muscle. As tape decompresses this space there is less pressure on these nerve endings so pain is reduced or stopped completely at its source. Having elastic tape stuck to your skin is also believed to stimulate receptors within the skin called Mechanoreceptors. These receptors play a part in our movement awareness, or what therapists call Proprioception. Many therapists believe that one of the main effects of applying ROCKTAPE is to improve our Proprioception, which can both decrease pain and improve the way we move.
When Rocktape is applied with more stretch it can be used to support areas where tissue has been strained, torn, weakened or lengthened. By adding more elastic recoil to the taped area, functional stability and tissue ‘snapback’ are enhanced.
What Is Rocktape
What does it do?
RockTape is a premium brand of kinesiology tape. First used in Japan, today kinesiology tape is used by a wide variety of health professionals throughout the world to treat injuries and pain.
How does it work?
Unlike traditional athletic tape that binds and doesn’t stretch, ROCKTAPE is engineered to mimic the human skin. This stretchiness is the secret behind ROCKTAPE. ROCKTAPE stretches up to 180% of its original length but has amazing ‘snap-back’ or recovery. This is what gives ROCKTAPE its performance advantage over other tapes.
RockTape can be used in a variety of ways to achieve different benefits:
When RockTape is applied with little or no stretch on the tape but lots of stretch on the tissue it causes the skin to form convulsions and wrinkle. This creates a bio-mechanical lifting mechanism that decompresses the tissue just under the skin. It is believed that this decompression and having tape on our skin creates 3 main effects:
• Fluid Effect: By causing decompression the tape promotes a more normal fluid dynamic in the taped area. Swelling is better able to flow out of the area, taking with it toxins which result from inflammation and injury. Also blood has less resistance to enter the area bringing with it more oxygen and nutrients vital for healing and recovery. This fluid effect is probably behind the dramatic improvement in swollen and bruised tissue that is often seen when Rocktape is applied.
• Mechanical Effect: As pressure on the vertical layer cake of tissue between skin and bone is reduced more normal slide and glide mechanics between the layers of tissue is restored. It is likely that this is the mechanism that can make someone who can only bend as far as their knees touch their toes in an instant!
• Neurological Effect: A lot of pain generated by movement or muscle contraction is generated by nerve endings in the space between the skin and muscle. As tape decompresses this space there is less pressure on these nerve endings so pain is reduced or stopped completely at its source. Having elastic tape stuck to your skin is also believed to stimulate receptors within the skin called Mechanoreceptors. These receptors play a part in our movement awareness, or what therapists call Proprioception. Many therapists believe that one of the main effects of applying ROCKTAPE is to improve our Proprioception, which can both decrease pain and improve the way we move.
When Rocktape is applied with more stretch it can be used to support areas where tissue has been strained, torn, weakened or lengthened. By adding more elastic recoil to the taped area, functional stability and tissue ‘snapback’ are enhanced.
|
Grant is available to all groups who may wish to have someone come and speak about healthcare or how Osteopathy can make a difference.
He holds regular workshops at Edge Fitness educating members and the public on appropriate methods of stretching and use of the foam roller, how to best use the equipment and technique. Grant has previously spoken in the classroom to school children about posture, how to wear your backpack and ways to stretch before and after sport. Grant is also experienced in sports training and workshops with sporting teams, such as Alstonville Football Club Premier Squad. Contact us on 02 6628 0453 or email at info@alstonvilleosteopathy.com.au to discuss further opportunities with Grant. |
|
