Firstly a tendon is a tough band of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. The Achilles tendon is one of the largest tendons in your body. It connects the muscles within your calf to your heel bone in your foot. The job of the Achilles tendon is to transfer the force generated by your calf muscles to your feet. Propelling your body forward during running, walking and jumping. This tendon is particularly susceptible to injury. This is due to both, the huge forces generated by your calf … [Read more...]
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is the common name for lateral epicondylitis, an injury to the tendon on the outside of your elbow. This normally happens from repetitive strain, overuse or direct trauma to the area. The muscles of your forearm combine to form the common extensor tendon. Your tendon connects into the bone on the outside of your elbow joint. All the stress that is placed on your fingers, hand and wrist is focused on this small area. Like many injuries, tennis elbow occurs when the stress put on an … [Read more...]
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis often felt as heel pain, is an overuse injury that affects the plantar fascia on the sole of the foot. The plantar fascia is a tough, fibrous band of tissue that connects your heel bone to the base of your toes. The plantar fascia provides support to the arches of your foot. When this tissue degenerates or becomes inflamed, it is referred to as Plantar Fasciitis or Policeman's Heel. Symptoms Plantar fasciitis normally starts gradually, with mild tenderness at the heel. You … [Read more...]
About Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a form of manual medicine, which recognises the important link between the structure of the body and the way it functions. Osteopaths classically treat the person and not the condition, we recognise the fact that everybody is an individual, as such treatment is tailed to their specific needs. The human body has an innate ability to heal, osteopaths aim to unlock your own bodies healing potential by removing barriers to health. Osteopathic healthcare is suitable for all ages, people … [Read more...]
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder impingement syndrome is a common cause of shoulder pain. It happens when the bones of your shoulder pinch upon the soft-tissues in the area. Your shoulder girdle is made up of three bones, the arm bone, shoulder blade and the collar bone. Only the collar bone connects your shoulder to the rest of the skeleton. Due to this setup, the shoulder has poor stability; but a large range of movement. It is for this reason that your shoulder needs the muscles around the joint to provide … [Read more...]
Sciatica
The information in this blog is provided to help people manage their recovery from sciatica. GD osteopathy & sports massage is committed to helping people heal, in the safest and shortest time possible. The latest information and advice available at the present time is provided. What is sciatica? Sciatica is a term used to describe a particular symptom pattern. This being pain felt from the buttocks, back of thigh and occasionally down to the foot. Sciatica is a non-specific term and … [Read more...]
Golfers Elbow
Golfers elbow is the common name for medial epicondylitis, an injury to the muscles and tendon on the inside of your elbow. This normally happens from repetitive stress, overuse or sudden trauma is placed on the area. The muscles of your forearm combine to form the common flexor tendon. Your tendon connects your muscles into the bone on the inside of your elbow joint. All the stress that is placed on your fingers, hand and wrist is concentrated on this small area. Like many injuries, golfers … [Read more...]
Avoiding Pain
By the time most patients seek treatment, they are already experiencing pain, having difficulty moving or participating in their sports/hobbies and struggling to cope with work or family commitments. Those occasional aches and pains are your bodies early warning signs. If that red light on your dashboard was flashing away, most people wouldn’t leave it for months before getting it checked out by a mechanic. Our bodies are vastly more complex and most parts can’t be replaced. Masking symptoms … [Read more...]
Good Posture
Poor posture indicates that your body is not aligned as it should be. Bad posture is not an unavoidable part of ageing, like tooth decay or heart disease. Poor posture can be influence by neglect and poor lifestyle choices. Ageing alone is not enough, although the older you are, the longer your body has been exposed to the stress and strains of modern life. As with all health issues, early detection and management will reduce your risk of complications. The most common postural problem is … [Read more...]
Headaches
Over 10 million of us in the UK get headaches on a regular basis. The causes and management of headache symptoms are better understood than ever before due to advances in medical research over recent years. This improved knowledge gives us the opportunity to help headache and migraine sufferers. The muscles that move your head and neck are connected to the bones of your skull, spine, shoulder blades and ribs. Problems with your muscles and joints in these areas, can refer pain to other … [Read more...]
Back Pain Advice for Parents
The arrival of a baby into the family is a thrilling time, but also a time when parents are at risk of neglecting their own health. In clinic I see many people that have developed back pain after becoming parents. Below I have included some information and advice to help reduce the risk of you getting back pain. Try to persist with the recommendations, it will get easier with time. Breast Feeding & Bottle Feeding Use a chair where the low back is well supported, you can also try … [Read more...]
Back Pain – Red Flags & Warnings Signs
In the vast majority of cases, back pain is due to simple mechanical injury to the muscles, joints, ligaments and other tissues that surround the spine. However in approximately 1% of cases, back pain patients have a significant underlying cause. What are Red Flags? Red flags are signs and symptoms associated with back pain, which indicate a serious spinal pathology or underlying cause may be present. Warning Signs Unexplained weight loss History of long-term steroid use … [Read more...]
Asthma – An Osteopathic Approach
Asthma Overview Asthma is a condition that affects the airways of the lungs. It results in obstruction to exhaled air; medically it is known as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. Asthma is caused by on-going inflammation within these passages. When the inflammatory reaction is triggered (by various external and internal factors), the airways swell and fill with mucus. In addition, muscles surrounding the airways tighten, causing further narrowing of the passages. This narrowing … [Read more...]
Osteoarthritis – A modern approach to advice and treatment
The medical professions understanding has moved forward considerably over the past few years. GP’s, orthopedic surgeons and osteopaths should move away from the concept of “wear and tear” and “joint degeneration” and onto a more patient centered holistic view. What is Osteoarthritis? The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance defines osteoarthritis as “joint pain accompanied by varying degrees of functional limitation and reduced quality of life”. … [Read more...]
Lying Double Knee Hug Exercise
Who is this for? This exercise is ideal if your suffering with general lower back ache, joint sprain or muscle strain. It is also suitable if you have lumbar spine arthritis and spondylolisthesis. The Starting Position Lie on your back with your legs extended and back straight. Action Bend both knees towards your chest and place your hands around your knees or shins. Take a deep breath in and gently squeeze your thighs closer to your chest. Hold here for 20-30 seconds and repeat … [Read more...]
Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) / Pelvic girdle dysfunction (PGD)
What is symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD)? The pelvis is made up of two halves, they are connected at the front by a joint called the symphysis pubis and at the back by two sacroiliac joints. This central symphysis pubis joint is stabilised by a number of strong ligaments. During pregnancy your body begins to produce a hormone called “Relaxin”. Relaxin helps increase the mobility of your joints by softening ligaments and other tissues; this softening helps baby pass through your pelvis. This … [Read more...]
