Mayfield Osteo

Mayfield Osteo Osteopathy is a form of manual healthcare. Recognises Important link between structure and function.

20/08/2025

Got a grip like a pro but pain on the outside of your elbow? You might be dealing with tennis elbow — and no, you don’t need to be a tennis player to get it!

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is caused by tiny tears in the tendon from repetitive gripping, lifting, or twisting. It can make everyday tasks — like pouring the kettle or opening jars — seriously uncomfortable.

Our osteopaths are here to help – we’ll work to improve joint movement, reduce muscle tension, and encourage healing. We’ll also work with you on how to use your elbow without overusing it.

Need a hand? We’re here to support your swing. Call us on 4968 9664 or online at Mayfieldosteo.com.au.

‘Knot’ feeling too good?Struggling with tension and looking for some extra at-home massage options between osteo appoint...
18/08/2025

‘Knot’ feeling too good?
Struggling with tension and looking for some extra at-home massage options between osteo appointments? Try these targeted techniques:

Plantar fasciitis? Roll a frozen water bottle under the arch of your foot for 5–10 minutes to reduce inflammation and gently stretch the fascia.

Tension in your jaw (TMJ issues)? Use your fingertips to apply small, slow circles just in front of your ears and along the cheekbone — no digging, just enough to feel movement in the muscle.

Tight shoulders or glutes? Lean against a wall with a tennis ball placed between your body and the wall. Roll slowly to find a tender point, then pause and breathe — let the pressure sink in rather than forcing it.

Forearm strain from typing? Use your opposite thumb to stroke firmly (but comfortably) along the length of the forearm muscles, from elbow to wrist, staying just off the bone.

Self-massage should feel relieving, not bruising. If tight spots keep coming back, there may be an underlying postural or mobility issue.

What are your favourite home massage hacks? Let us know in the comments below.

Plantar FasciopathyHands-on treatmentOsteopathic treatment for plantar fasciopathy may include:• soft tissue techniques ...
16/08/2025

Plantar Fasciopathy
Hands-on treatment
Osteopathic treatment for plantar fasciopathy may include:
• soft tissue techniques to release tight calf muscles (especially the gastrocnemius and soleus)
• gentle mobilisation of the ankle and foot joints to improve movement
• fascial release techniques to reduce tension through the plantar fascia
• addressing compensatory patterns in the hips, knees, or spine that might be contributing to poor foot mechanics

Exercise prescription
Exercise is essential in managing plantar fasciopathy. Your osteopath may prescribe:
• calf stretches to improve flexibility
• foot and arch strengthening exercises (such as towel scrunches or marble pickups)
• eccentric loading exercises for the plantar fascia, such as heel raises off a step
• balance and proprioception training to support long-term recovery
You may also be guided on choosing more supportive footwear or temporary arch support to reduce load during recovery.

Other helpful strategies
In some cases, your osteopath may work alongside other professionals such as podiatrists, especially if you need orthotics.
Home strategies can include:
• rolling your foot on a frozen water bottle or massage ball
• taping techniques to offload the fascia
• avoiding barefoot walking on hard surfaces while symptoms are present
It’s best to avoid ‘quick fix’ ideas you might see online – like walking on pebbles or vigorous foot massage with a rolling pin – as these may increase irritation.

Recovery outlook
The good news is that most people recover with conservative treatment – but it does take time. Plantar fasciopathy can last several months, especially if it's been building up for a while. The key is consistency: stick to your rehab plan and try not to overload the fascia during the healing phase.

When to seek help
If you’ve been hobbling around for more than a few weeks with no improvement, or if the pain is interfering with your usual activities, it’s worth getting a professional opinion. Other conditions such as fat pad irritation, heel stress fractures, or nerve entrapment can mimic plantar fasciopathy, so a proper diagnosis matters.
Heel pain doesn’t have to be your new normal.

Stepping into Relief:How Osteopathy May Help with Plantar FasciopathyYou know that sinking feeling when your first steps...
15/08/2025

Stepping into Relief:
How Osteopathy May Help with Plantar Fasciopathy

You know that sinking feeling when your first steps in the morning make you feel about 90 years old? If your heels are grumbling at you before breakfast, you might be dealing with a case of plantar fasciopathy – a common but painful condition that can make every step feel like a small betrayal.
Call Mayfield Osteo on 4968 9664 or online at Mayfieldosteo.com.au to book an appointment with one of our osteopaths and help your feet feel more like your friends again.

What is plantar fasciopathy?
Plantar fasciopathy (also known by the term “plantar fasciitis”) refers to a condition affecting the plantar fascia – a strong band of connective tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot. It plays a key role in supporting the arch of the foot and absorbing shock when we walk, run, or jump.
In plantar fasciopathy, the fascia becomes irritated and degenerated at the heel attachment. This results in heel pain, often described as sharp, stabbing, or burning, especially during the first steps of the day or after long periods of rest.

Common causes and risk factors
Despite the name, plantar fasciopathy isn't typically driven by inflammation alone. Instead, it’s usually the result of repetitive microtrauma leading to degeneration of the fascia over time. Factors that may contribute include:• a sudden increase in activity levels
• prolonged standing or walking on hard surfaces
• poor footwear with inadequate arch support
• reduced ankle mobility or tight calves
• being overweight or having a high BMI
• a naturally high or low foot arch
• hormonal changes (for example during pregnancy or menopause)
Biomechanics also play a big role. If your foot rolls inwards excessively when you walk (overpronation), the plantar fascia may experience more tension than it's built to handle.

Symptoms to look out for
The hallmark symptom is pain near the heel, especially:
• when taking your first steps in the morning
• after sitting for a long time
• during or after exercise (though often not during activity itself)
The pain may ease as you warm up but tends to return with rest or overuse.

How osteopathy may help
Osteopaths take a whole-body approach to pain and movement, which means we won’t just look at your feet. We’ll examine how your entire lower limb, pelvis, and spine are working together – or not – to support you.

Assessment
We’ll begin with a full history and assessment, including checking your gait (the way you walk), ankle mobility, muscle length, and joint alignment through the leg and pelvis.

How can we help with heel spurs?   A heel spur is a bony growth that develops where the plantar fascia pulls on the heel...
13/08/2025

How can we help with heel spurs?

A heel spur is a bony growth that develops where the plantar fascia pulls on the heel bone — usually in response to ongoing strain or tension. It’s not the spur itself that causes pain, but the inflammation and tightness in the surrounding soft tissues.

Osteopaths look at the whole picture: how you're walking, whether your calves are tight, how your foot arches behave, and whether there's reduced mobility further up the chain — like in your hips or lower back.

We use gentle hands-on techniques to reduce tension, improve foot and ankle mechanics, and support better movement overall. The goal? Less pain, better shock absorption, and happier steps.

Call 4968 9664 or online at Mayfieldosteo.com.au to make an appointment with an osteopath at Mayfield Osteo — and take that first step towards more comfortable feet.

Everybody is different. In fact, no two bodies are the same — and that’s exactly how it should be. Some of us are natura...
11/08/2025

Everybody is different. In fact, no two bodies are the same — and that’s exactly how it should be. Some of us are naturally more flexible, flopping around like the scarecrow, while others might feel like the Tin Man, a bit stiff in the joints and needing a good oiling! Height, neck length, foot shape — all these anatomical givens shape how you move and hold yourself.

There’s no perfect posture or movement to copy because your body’s blueprint is unique. At Mayfield Osteo, our osteopaths help you work with your individual structure to move comfortably and confidently through life – so you can get on with being that first-rate version of yourself in all the ways that matter.

Call 4968 9664 or online at Mayfieldosteo.com.au to make an appointment with one of our osteopaths today. Let’s help you be the best version of you.

Fun Fact of the Day   Did you know your skull isn’t fully solid bone until your mid-20s? The process called ossification...
08/08/2025

Fun Fact of the Day

Did you know your skull isn’t fully solid bone until your mid-20s? The process called ossification — where cartilage gradually turns into bone — continues well into early adulthood.

This means young adults’ skulls are still a bit more flexible and resilient, which can affect how their head and neck respond to impacts or strain.

That’s why wearing a properly fitted bike helmet is so important, especially for younger riders. It helps protect that developing skull from injury.

From an osteopathic perspective, the ongoing ossification means gentle care is essential for children and young adults. We work to support healthy growth, alignment, and mobility of the head and neck structures as they mature.

Call 4968 9664 or online at Mayfieldosteo.com.au to make an appointment with an osteopath at Mayfield Osteo. We’re here to help keep your head—and body—healthy and supported.

Regular headaches? Don’t overlook the basics — dehydration is a common culprit!Even mild fluid loss can affect blood flo...
06/08/2025

Regular headaches? Don’t overlook the basics — dehydration is a common culprit!

Even mild fluid loss can affect blood flow and tension around the head and neck. If you're prone to headaches, try tracking your water intake for a few days. You might be surprised how much difference it makes.

Your body (and brain!) will thank you.

But if that doesn’t help there might be other factors at play – if you feel like you’ve got a lot of tension (especially in your jaw, neck or shoulders) musculoskeletal causes might be the culprit. Call us on 4968 9664 or online at Mayfieldosteo.com.au. We’re here to help with those.

Please share your favourite headache busting tip in the comments!

Your tools aren't the only thing that need regular maintenance.Tradies put their bodies through a lot — heavy lifting, a...
04/08/2025

Your tools aren't the only thing that need regular maintenance.

Tradies put their bodies through a lot — heavy lifting, awkward postures, long hours on the tools. It’s no surprise musculoskeletal injuries are among the most common health issues in the trade.

Osteopathy aims to support your body’s movement, relieve strain, and help you stay on site — not sidelined.
This Tradies National Health Month, take care of your most important asset: you.

Call us on 4968 9664 or online at Mayfieldosteo.com.au to book an appointment.

01/08/2025

Statistic of the Month: According to the World Health Organisation, the global prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease doubled over the past 25 years, reaching over 8.5 million cases in 2019.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects the brain’s ability to control movement. It’s caused by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra — a small but vital area of the midbrain involved in coordinating smooth, purposeful motion.

People with Parkinson’s may experience tremors, rigidity, slowed movement (bradykinesia), and postural instability. Over time, this can lead to pain, stiffness, and fatigue from compensating muscles and altered movement patterns.

Osteopathic care doesn’t treat Parkinson’s itself, but we are here to help patients find comfort, improve their joint mobility, and ease strain on the musculoskeletal system — especially in the spine, neck, and shoulders.

Call 4968 9664 or online at Mayfieldosteo.com.au to make an appointment with an osteopath at Mayfield Osteo. We’re here to help keep you moving, one step at a time.

’sDisease

Why train for explosive strength?Explosive strength is a vital part of performance in many sports. It’s what helps you:•...
29/07/2025

Why train for explosive strength?

Explosive strength is a vital part of performance in many sports. It’s what helps you:
• Accelerate quickly
• Change direction sharply
• Jump higher or further
• Deliver force rapidly and efficiently
It’s also useful in day-to-day life. Quick muscular responses are important for balance, coordination, and even fall prevention as we get older.

Not just for athletes

Plyometric training isn’t limited to elite sport. With the right guidance, modified plyometrics may benefit older adults and people returning to exercise. Low-impact versions — like step-ups with intent, gentle hops, or fast calf raises—can help improve balance, coordination, and reaction time. They may also support bone density, joint stability, and overall functional movement.
Performance support and osteopathy

Because plyometrics are intense, they come with a higher risk of strain or overload, especially to the knees, hips, ankles and lower back. Our osteopaths can help prepare your body for this type of training—and support your recovery afterwards.
At Mayfield Osteo, we aim to help you train safely and effectively with:
• Postural and movement assessment to check joint range, muscle balance and coordination
• Hands-on treatment to ease tight or overloaded muscles, support joint mobility and promote circulation
• Recovery advice to help your body adapt and bounce back from high-intensity training
• Exercise guidance to support your strength, balance and control alongside your power work
If pain, stiffness, or fatigue are holding you back, we’ll aim to identify what’s going on and help get you back on track.

Conclusion
Explosive power isn’t just for athletes—it’s part of strong, confident movement at any age. Whether you’re just getting started with plyometrics or returning to training after a break, osteopathy may help you do it safely.
Call 4968 9664 or online at Mayfieldosteo.com.au to book with one of our osteopaths at Mayfield Osteo today.

Jump-Start Your PowerHow Plyometrics Might Help Improve Explosive Strength and SpeedNeed a little more spring in your st...
28/07/2025

Jump-Start Your Power
How Plyometrics Might Help Improve Explosive Strength and Speed
Need a little more spring in your step? Whether you’re looking to shave seconds off your sprint time, add height to your jump — or simply feel a bit more agile in everyday life —plyometric training may be the key to improving explosive strength and speed.
These dynamic, high-impact movements are popular in many sports for good reason — but they place significant demands on the body. That’s where osteopathy may help. We work with people who want to improve performance, avoid injury, and recover well between sessions.

What are plyometrics?

Plyometrics involve powerful, fast movements that train your muscles to contract quickly. The exercises make use of what’s called the stretch-shortening cycle—a rapid lengthening of the muscle (eccentric phase), followed almost immediately by a contraction (concentric phase).
Think of movements like squat jumps, clap push-ups, bounding, or jumping lunges. They train the nervous system and muscles to produce maximum force in minimal time, which is exactly what you need when sprinting, leaping, or changing direction at speed.

Address

44 Margaret Street
Newcastle, NSW
2304

Opening Hours

Monday 8:40am - 6pm
Tuesday 8:40am - 6pm
Wednesday 8:40am - 6pm
Thursday 8:40am - 6pm
Friday 8:40am - 6pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mayfield Osteo posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Mayfield Osteo:

Featured

Share