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What would an Osteopath treat?

Osteopaths are widely known for treating back pain. However Osteopaths can treat well beyond the spine. 

From frozen shoulder and Fibromyalgia to headaches and muscle spasms—as an Osteopath, I use a variety of manual techniques, manipulation and allied therapies (like lower level laser therapy and Western Acupuncture) to improve circulation, reduce pain, and enhance the body’s natural healing processes. 

That said, Osteopathy is a holistic approach to healthcare and Osteopaths treat the person as well as the presenting symptoms. Therefore, I wouldn’t just look at the physical symptoms a patient is presenting with. A big part of my Osteopathic training is to identify any underlying factors to get to the root cause of the problem, which can sometimes be multifactorial—physical, emotional and nutritional. Doing so may help prevent recurrences and work towards improving a patient’s overall health. 

 

Health conditions an Osteopath can help with

 

As confirmed by the Advertising Standards Authority, Osteopaths can help with a range of health disorders like:

  • Arthritic pain
  • Circulatory problems
  • Cramp
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Frozen shoulder/ shoulder and elbow pain/ tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis arising from associated musculoskeletal conditions of the back and neck, but not isolated occurrences)
  • Headache arising from the neck (cervicogenic)
  • Joint pains
  • Joint pains including hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis as an adjunct to core OA treatments and exercise
  • General, acute & chronic backache, back pain (not arising from injury or accident)
  • Generalised aches and pains
  • Minor sports injuries
  • Muscle spasms
  • Neuralgia – referred acute pain caused by irritation of a nerve
  • Tension and inability to relax
  • Rheumatic pain
  • Sciatica – presents usually with pain down one or both legs
  • Uncomplicated mechanical neck pain (as opposed to neck pain following injury i.e. whiplash).

But perhaps it’s lesser known that Osteopathy and allied therapies can also help with: 

 

1. Migraine prevention

Believed to affect 6 million people in the UK*, Migraines can be a headache in every sense of the word. The complex neurological condition might begin with a painful headache preceded or accompanied by disturbed vision or aura—but migraines can affect the whole body. 

Someone suffering with a migraine might see flashing lights and/or zig zag patterns. While others may also experience pins and needles, numb limbs and difficulty in speaking. Sufferers can also encounter dizziness, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light, sound and smells. 

Medication is one method some turn to, to help control the pain, severity and frequency of attacks. However, as a Naturopath, I try to help my patients achieve emotional and physical wellbeing through natural methods and treatments, allowing their bodies to fight and prevent disease, minimising the need for surgery or drugs.

For example, Osteopathic techniques can help relieve migraine symptoms, whilst understanding and addressing the underlying, sometimes multifactorial, factors involved. While a 2020 systematic review, confirms that complementary therapies, such as Western medical acupuncture (which is also known as dry needling), “is an effective and safe method for migraines”.

 

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Differing to Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes stiffness and pain because of inflammation in the joints.

According to the NHS, GPs usually treat RA with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). However there is a growing body of evidence that suggests natural approaches, like exercise, nutrition and Osteopathy—though the use of soft tissue massage—can be useful for pain management. 

And, as researchers confirmed in the 2022 edition of the Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medicine journal, acupuncture can be a ‘beneficial’ non-pharmacological option, too. “Available evidence suggests that acupuncture is beneficial for relieving pain and ameliorating quality of life and health index in patients with RA,” researchers stated. “Thereby, it should be available as an adjunctive nonpharmacological treatment in rehabilitation programmes.”

 

Get in touch

If you are suffering with any aches or pains don’t suffer in silence. Schedule a consultation either online, via phone or by sending an email. Osteopath and Naturopath Robin Kiashek holds clinics on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

*https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/

**https://gutscharity.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/DigestingTheFactsReport.pdf

***https://www.nlg.nhs.uk/resources/gastrointestinal-conditions/

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Heat therapy or cold therapy: What’s best for pain management?

Pain Management

When in pain, most people tend to apply heat to the problem area rather than cold/ice compressions. Which is understandable – it feels more soothing.  And who wants to add being cold and uncomfortable to an already painful situation?

“In my 25 years of practicing osteopathy, I’ve only ever encountered one patient treating their pain by applying ice,” Osteopath Robin Kiashek tells us.

But actually, a hit of cold/ice therapy might be a better solution.

What is cold/ice therapy?

Cold water therapy is the practice of using water that’s around 15 degrees to treat health conditions or stimulate health benefits.  While ice therapy is the practice of using ice to do the exact same.

Despite the current buzz around this type of therapy – with the rise of the cold shower trend – this type of treatment has actually been used for thousands of years.

How does cold/ice therapy work?

Cold therapy, or in this case – ice therapy, is sometimes referred to as cold hydrotherapy or cryotherapy.  And it has the power to reduce inflammation in our body.

So, when we are hurt or are in pain, whether it’s through stubbing our toe, spraining our ankle or something more serious – ice therapy slows blood flow to the area by causing vasodilation of blood capillaries.  This expels blood from the surrounding area temporarily. Once the ice (wrapped in a wet tea towel) is removed after five minutes, fresh blood enters the injured area.

This in turn reduces inflammation and swelling that causes pain in the joint or tendon.

It is particularly effective for acute injuries and also if it is put into practice quickly after the injury occurs.

How does cold therapy compare to heat therapy?

Conversely, heat therapy causes blood vessels to dilate by arterial vasodilation which rushes blood flow to the area.  It can feel very soothing.

And heat therapy can definitely help with flexibility issues, tight muscles and damaged tissues. But it’s not a good idea where there is swelling.

The power of cold therapy

Robin saw the power of cold therapy first-hand when his son underwent surgery after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). As part of the recovery process, he was given a Game Ready machine that pumps iced water every 30 minutes, for 30 minutes, around the injured knee.

Robin says: “Rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) have long been used to treat acute injury and to help the recovery and rehabilitation process after surgery. It’s something I tell my patients when they come to me in pain.”

But cold/ice therapy can be used for other holistic and physical outcomes.

What are the benefits of cold/ice therapy?

We’ve spoken before about the benefits of cold/ice therapy. But according to the science, cold/ice therapy can:

  • Give your immune system a boost.  A range of studies have proven that doses of cold therapy could bolster your immune system over a period of weeks or months.
  • Ease symptoms of depression.  Research has shown that cold open water swimming could help those suffering with anxiety and depression.
  • Help with muscle soreness.  In a 2011 study, cyclists who were immersed in cold water for 10 minutes had decreased soreness. And a later 2016 study reported the same results.

However, before you plunge yourself in an outdoor lake or ice bath, it’s important to discuss any sudden cold-water immersions with your doctor.  Just to make sure it’s safe for to do so.

Plus, you must never apply ice directly to the skin as it will burn and it should only be used under medical guidance.

If you’re in pain, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Robin.
Robin Kiashek treats patients suffering from all types of conditions.  Including sporting injuries, musculoskeletal issues and headaches.

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Let’s give sciatica the sack

Sciatica can strike anyone

What do football manager Thierry Henry, actress and singer Olivia Newton-John and Jean-Claude Juncker, the former President of the European Commission, all have in common? Not much on the face of it, but the fact is that all three have, at one time or other, been battling sciatica.

The former Arsenal striker went from strength to strength following a bout in 2006. Grease star Newton-John was forced to cancel several concerts two years ago while the painful condition was blamed – amidst much speculation – for the 64-year-old Juncker’s stumbles during a recent Nato summit.

What is sciatica?

The older generation will be more familiar with it as Lumbago, but Sciatica (as it’s now called) is an unpleasant and disruptive condition that can potentially afflict anyone – of all ages and levels of fitness!  It’s often confused with other types of back pain and occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or injured. This nerve is the largest and longest in the human body. It runs all the way from the lumbar region in the lower back, through the buttocks and down both legs to the feet. Symptoms can make themselves felt anywhere along the nerve, from the lower back, through the genital region and all the way to the feet.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Common symptoms of sciatica include:

  • Stabbing, burning or shooting pains along the sciatic nerve in the:
    • lower back, hip and/or buttock(s)
    • backs of the thighs and down the legs
    • feet and/or toes
    • genital area
  • Burning or tingling (pins and needles) in the legs and/or feet
  • Numbness and weakness in affected areas
  • All of the above made worse by prolonged sitting, standing or walking, heavy lifting and any activity with an impact on the spine (eg running)

Causes of sciatica

The vast majority of sciatica cases are caused by:

A herniated or protruding disc: Positioned between the vertebrae (bones in the spinal column) discs act as shock absorbers or cushions with the lower spinal discs taking on most of the upper body weight. Over time their hard, fibrous outer structure may develop tiny tears, usually as a result of overload or poor posture. This allows their jelly-like inner core to herniate or protrude, irritating the sciatic nerve. and often referred to as a ‘trapped nerve’.

Poor posture: Sitting incorrectly with more weight on one hip than the other can irritate or compress the sciatic nerve.

Degenerative Spinal Arthritis. Osteoarthritis in the spine can damage the cartilage (connective tissue) on the joints and discs in the neck and lower back, producing spurs of bone that press against the sciatic nerve.

Impingement of the sciatic nerve along its course:  the sciatic nerve can be affected by the pelvic joints (sacroiliac joints) or if the nerve passes through the Piriformis muscle (deep in the buttock region), where tightening of the muscle can give sciatic-type symptoms. 

Treating sciatica with Robin Kiashek

The condition may improve on its own after four to six weeks, although this largely depends on the patient’s age, medical history, lifestyle and, importantly, whether he or she heeds my advice! Try not to let it interfere with your daily activities. You can help yourself in battling sciatica via:

  • Avoiding prolonged sitting
  • Keeping moving but only if this doesn’t cause you pain
  • Using cold hydrotherapy (sitting in a cool bath or gentle swimming) to relieve pain on the lower spine
  • Avoiding high impact activities
  • Not sleeping on your front and either putting a pillow under your knees if sleeping on your back, or putting a pillow between your knees if side-lying

Does sciatica go away on its own?

If your symptoms show no sign of improving after a few days, please make an appointment at one of the Robin Kiashek Clinics. I will take a full case history and perform a clinical examination to determine the exact cause of your pain. We will then agree on a treatment plan which may also include advice on exercise, posture, pain management and how to prevent any future attacks.

To get in touch please call 020 8815 0979 or click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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