WHAT IS OSTEOPATHY?
Osteopathy is a person-centered therapy that uses hands-on techniques to help achieve health goals, from pain relief to stress management. It considers the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—recognising that no part of our being operates in isolation.
The practice is guided by fundamental principles:
- The human being functions as an integrated whole: body, mind, and spirit.
- The body has natural self-regulatory mechanisms to heal.
- Structure and function are interconnected.
- Free fluid movement is essential for healing.
Osteopathic treatment aligns with these principles, aiming to support the body’s healing process. It focuses on maintaining homeostasis by promoting the normal circulation of blood, lymph, and cerebrospinal fluid, facilitating waste elimination and nutrient delivery. This contributes to a healthy nervous system and overall well-being.
At its core, osteopathy acknowledges the body’s inherent ability to self-heal, emphasising the removal of obstructions to allow this process to thrive.
HOW DID OSTEOPATHY BEGIN?
Andrew Taylor Still (1828–1917) founded osteopathy on June 22, 1874, in the USA. At age 10, he discovered he could relieve his headaches by resting his neck on a low swing. This early insight into the body’s self-healing abilities inspired his future work.
After losing four children to illness, Still left allopathic medicine and developed osteopathic manual medicine. His approach focused on the connection between the body’s structure and function to support natural healing, emphasising overall health, including mind, body, and spirit.
Through extensive study and practice, Still found that normal circulation of body fluids and nerve activity were essential for health. His pioneering work laid the foundation for osteopathy today.
For more on osteopathy’s history, check out John Lewis’s book, available on his website:
http://www.atstill.com/.
WHAT DO OSTEOPATHS TREAT?
People often use manual medicine to treat back pain, headaches, and joint-related issues. What’s interesting to know is that osteopaths treat more than you might think.
First and foremost, osteopaths treat you, not just your symptoms or pain. I work with you to relieve symptoms related to various conditions and injuries. This is a two-way partnership where you play an essential role in your healing process.
You can benefit from osteopathic treatment if you are experiencing any of the following conditions:
- Postural problems from work, injury, pregnancy, sport, or congenital issues
- Tension, stress, anxiety
- Insomnia
- Headaches/migraines
- Constipation, IBS, and other gastrointestinal problems
- Respiratory disorders, colds, and breathing issues
- Ear, nose, and throat problems
- Vertigo
- Scar tissue or adhesions from accidents, surgery, or injury
- Whiplash leading to face, neck, shoulder, head, or jaw pain
- Sports injuries
- Symphysis pubis dysfunction (post-pregnancy)
- Post-surgical stiffness, scar tissue, edema, and joint immobility
- Back pain, neck pain, lower back pain
- Upper/lower limb pain
- Hip, pelvic, or groin pain/discomfort
- Acute or chronic musculoskeletal joint pain
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain
- Arthritic pain
WHAT DOES AN OSTEOPATHIC CONSULTATION AND TREATMENT CONSIST OF FOR A FIRST TIME VISIT?
An osteopath is a critical thinker who looks beyond the site of pain or discomfort to explore connected systems and identify what the possible root cause could be. Often, this origin lies in a different area of the body, and in some cases, it can be challenging to determine.
The process begins with a comprehensive case history, including details of any previous injuries, pain, or medical interventions. I will ask about your medical history, including any procedures, medications, or diagnoses relevant to understanding your condition.
Additionally, I will consider factors such as your working, social, personal, dietary, and lifestyle habits. With your consent, I will observe changes in your body, including posture, asymmetry, weight-bearing patterns, compensatory mechanisms, skin color, temperature, sweating, swelling, rashes, scars, and overall demeanor.
Osteopathic testing will focus on the alignment of the spine and its relationship to the pelvis and limbs. The rhythm and harmony of your movements are also essential observations, often revealing insights beyond verbal descriptions.
Active and passive testing will assess your range of motion, pinpointing areas of limitation, pain, or discomfort. If necessary, specific clinical tests may be conducted:
- Neurological testing: Assessing reflexes, muscle strength, and skin sensation
- Cardiovascular testing: Checking blood pressure and pulses in the neck, arms, legs, and abdomen
- Respiratory testing: Evaluating breathing and lung function through movement and sounds
- Visceral testing: Gently examining organs like the liver, stomach, kidneys, and intestines for changes
- Orthopedic testing: Evaluating joint range of motion and its relationship to your symptoms
If required, further diagnostic investigations such as blood tests, MRIs, or X-rays may be recommended.
WHAT KIND OF TREATMENT CAN YOU EXPECT?
After thorough testing and ruling out the need for a referral, treatment will be tailored to your specific needs. The primary focus is on reducing any stress response, wherever that may lie, and assisting your body to an optimal state of recovery, ultimately enabling you to return to your daily activities without hindrance.
Each treatment plan is uniquely designed for each person’s needs. Some of the approaches that may be used include:
- Myofascial technique: Addressing the fascia and connective tissue surrounding muscles, tendons, ligaments, organs, and bones
- Classical Osteopathy
- Muscular Energy Technique (MET)
- Strain Counter Strain (SCS)
- Osteopathy in the Cranial Field (OCF)
- Visceral (organ) techniques
- High Velocity Low Amplitude (HVLA)
- Articulation and mobilisation of joint structures
- Lymphatic manipulative techniques
- Biodynamic osteopathy
Throughout treatment, your body serves as the guide for my approach. Every step is based on your unique presentation, experience, and needs. I will continuously assess your comfort level and adjust the treatment as necessary. This process is a collaborative effort—we work together as a team.
HOW LONG DOES A TREATMENT TAKE?
First visit – 1 hour
Your first appointment includes the full clinical visit. We begin with a careful conversation about your health history and what has brought you in, so there is time to understand you and your needs properly. This is followed by relevant assessment and, where appropriate, gentle clinical testing. We then discuss what has been found and agree on a treatment approach together. Hands on manual treatment is included and usually lasts around 20-30 minutes, depending on what is the most appropriate for you on the day. After treatment, time is set aside to reassess any changes, answer any further questions and give you time to dress without feeling rushed.
Returning visit – 40 minutes:
Your appointment time covers the entire clinical encounter including reviewing your case history and how your experienced your previous treatment regarding any new symptoms. Relevant assessment and testing. Discussion of findings and recommendations. Manual therapy (hands on care) for approximately 30-35 minutes. Reassessment after treatment to observe and see if there have been any changes. Time for dressing, further questions and payment.
Returning visit – 55 minutes: As above though hand on treatment tends to be between 45-50 minutes.
Time is managed carefully to allow for a smooth recovery and transition to daily life as some people may temporarily feel tired or disoriented after treatment.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM THE TREATMENT?
Sometimes after treatment you may experience some soreness, tiredness, mood changes or even feel an increase in energy or pain. This is a normal reaction and usually passes within a few days or so.
Of course if you are concerned by the side effects of your treatment, please contact me via email, text, or phone and I will respond as soon as possible.
IS THERE ANY PLAN OR EXERCISES AFTER TREATMENT?
Your treatment may be followed by an individual management care plan tailored to suits your health goals.
This will include ways you can help yourself feel better by taking control of your own health. Some dietary advice may be recommended and I may also advise you to seek specialised therapy from other healthcare professionals that may compliment the osteopathic treatment.
While it is seldom possible to assign a timeframe for healing the body, I will make you aware of the changes you may be experiencing as a result of treatment.
I’m here to help you feel at home in your body again so you can get on with your life as unobstructed as possible.
PRICES
1400 sek – 1 Hour First Visit.
1200 sek – 40 Minutes Return Visit
1400 sek – 55 Minutes Extended Return Visit.
Cancellation Policy
Appointments are reserved specifically for you, often days or weeks ahead in advance. Missed appointments or late cancellation (within 24 hours of the appointment time) will be charged at full fee unless a valid doctor’s certificate is provided. This helps maintain fairness and continuity of care and availability for others seeking care.