Form Osteopathy

29/01/2026

We’ve been making a few updates to the clinic lately, adding in a squat rack, some additional exercise equipment and some other changes to enhance your experience with us ✨

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27/01/2026

Loving how our clinic space feels ✨ We've made a few updates recently, stay tuned for some pics later in the week.

22/01/2026

To read the full blog post on acute inflammation and how it works in the body, click here > https://www.formosteopathy.com/blog/understanding-acute-inflammation-hint-its-actually-part-of-a-normal-response-to-injury

While it can at times wreak havoc in our body, inflammation is actually part of our body’s immediate immune response against injury and infection.

15/01/2026

Should we be actively reducing inflammation when it occurs?

Acute inflammation is adaptive and necessary for repair.

Early suppression of the inflammatory process can delay healing (by reducing cell migration and tissue repair).

However, when inflammation is excessive (causing pain/swelling that impedes movement), temporary relief measures can be helpful.

The key to this is timing and moderation.

As osteopaths, our role is to support the body’s natural healing processes.

Manual therapies on their own don’t ‘heal’ but they do aid in the speed and comfort of the body’s natural healing process.

13/01/2026

📍The sequence of events in acute inflammation📍

How do the components of this immune response all work together? Let’s step through the way these events occur in the body.

🔷 The trigger: tissue damage or invading pathogen.

🔷 Detection: resident immune cells (e.g. macrophages or mast cells) detect danger by either recognising the unique physical structure of a pathogen or by recognising the outcome of injured tissues.

🔷 Vasoconstriction: a temporary vasoconstriction may occur in some cases to limit blood loss (i.e. in the case of a flesh wound).

🔷 Release of chemical mediators: the inflammatory signalling pathways commence. These activated immune cells release histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes and cytokines, which begin communicating with blood vessels and other immune cells.

🔷 Vascular changes: in response to histamine, vascular channels to the site of injury widen. Blood vessels increase their permeability, causing exudation (leaking) of plasma proteins and fluid into the tissue.

🔷 Pain: some of the released mediators (e.g. bradykinin) both activate pain receptors and increase sensitivity to mechanical pain.

🔷 Leukocytes arrive at site of injury: the mediator molecules alter the blood vessels to permit the flow of neutrophils and macrophages into the tissue. The neutrophils migrate along a chemotactic gradient created by local cells to reach the site of injury.

🔷 Amplification: when necessary, the inflammatory response will be increased through signalling pathways (primarily the action of cytokines).

🔷 Resolution: once the threat is sufficiently cleared or a reparative process has commenced, inflammation will begin to subside.

If the inflammatory stimulus persists or the body’s immune regulation fails, inflammation can transition from acute to chronic, with longer-lived immune cells taking over.

08/01/2026

🦠 The key cells involved in acute inflammation 🦠

When tissue is damaged or invaded by pathogens, the body rapidly mobilises a specialised team of cells to address and rectify the issue to bring the body back to homeostasis.

Each cell plays a unique role in identifying, attacking or clearing the problem so that repair work can begin.

🔷 Neutrophils

Neutrophils are the dominant cell type in acute inflammation and the first to arrive at the site of injury.

These white blood cells destroy bacteria and break down cellular debris by engulfing them.

Neutrophils are the initial responders to most types of mechanical or physical injury.

🔷 Basophils

Basophils are a type of white blood cell. They protect your body from invaders.

They also trigger allergic reactions to allergens and infections by releasing histamine to improve blood flow to damaged tissue.

Basophils cells also release heparin to prevent blood from clotting in an area that has sustained damage. Blood needs to reach the area so it can heal.

🔷 Eosinophils

They are less prominent in acute musculoskeletal inflammation but play a defensive role against parasites and contribute to allergic responses.

🔷 Mast cells

Release histamine and other chemicals that increase vascular permeability and attract other immune cells.

🔷 Macrophages

Although macrophages are more often associated with chronic inflammation, they are also essential during the resolution phase of an acute inflammatory response.

They engulf dead neutrophils, debris and pathogens, and release growth factors that promote tissue repair. They act as a bridge between inflammation and healing.

06/01/2026

⚠️ The cardinal signs of acute inflammation ⚠️

Did you know, Aulus Cornelius Celsus (25 BC-50 AD), a Roman encyclopedist, offered a still valid statement about inflammation: “Notae vero inflammationis sunt quatuor: rubor et tumor cm calore and dolore”, defining the four cardinal signs of inflammation as redness and swelling with heat and pain.

There are four (plus one more) physiological signs of acute inflammation. These are:

Rubor (redness)
🔷 Cause: increased blood flow (hyperemia) to the affected area due to the dilation of small blood vessels (arterioles and capillaries).
🔷 Why it happens: the body sends more blood to deliver immune cells and nutrients to the site of injury or infection.

Tumor (swelling)
🔷 Cause: accumulation of fluid (edema) in the tissues.
🔷 Why it happens: blood vessels become more permeable, allowing plasma proteins and white blood cells to leave the bloodstream and enter the tissue, which helps fight infection and start repair, but also causes swelling.

Dolor (pain)
🔷 Cause: release of chemicals (like prostaglandins and bradykinin) that stimulate nerve endings.
🔷 Why it happens: these chemicals sensitise nerves, making the area more sensitive to pain. Swelling can also physically press on nerves, contributing to discomfort.

Calor (heat)
🔷 Cause: increased blood flow to the area raises the local temperature.
🔷 Why it happens: the warmth is a direct result of more blood (which is warmer than surrounding tissues) being delivered to the site.

Functio laesa (loss of function)
🔷 Cause: the four effects of inflammation as stated above.
🔷 Why it happens: the four effects combine to create a temporary loss of function.

These physiological changes are part of the body’s defence mechanism. They help bring immune cells, antibodies and nutrients to the site of injury or infection, and facilitate the removal of debris and pathogens.

Once the threat is eliminated and repair is underway, these changes subside, and the tissue gradually returns to normal.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year!

We are excited for a big year ahead at Form Osteopathy, helping you to move better, recover and feel you best.

Bookings are available on our website from Monday 5th January, so jump online now to secure your appointment for when we reopen.

See you soon!

30/12/2025

Reminder: we are closed this week and will reopen next Monday 5th January.

24/12/2025

Thank you to all our wonderful patients and to our community who have supported us this year, especially in moving into our new clinic space.

We appreciate every single person who has come through our door and have loved helping you this year with your health, pain and mobility. We are so grateful for the trust you have placed in us.

We’ll be taking a short break over the holiday season to recharge and spend time with loved ones. Our clinic will be closed from today 25th December and will reopen on 5th January.

If you need to book ahead for the new year, please visit our website to book online.

Wishing you a safe and joyful Christmas holiday!

23/12/2025

What triggers an acute inflammatory response?

There are several drivers that initiate inflammation in the body. These include physical tissue damage (such a sprain or break), infection, disease and metabolic stressors, and a stress response.

Some examples of tissue damage include: skin cut or abrasion, muscle strain or tear, sunburn, thermal or chemical burns, fracture or bone injury, and ischemia (restricted blood flow).

Infections may also trigger an acute response (though these can develop into chronic infection and chronic inflammation if untreated).

These include: bacterial infection (e.g. strep throat), viral infection (e.g. influenza) or fungal infection (e.g. athlete’s foot).