Carew Osteopathic Clinic

30/08/2025

A 2012 study from the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity found that, on average, people spend 64 hours a week sitting, 28 hours standing, and 11 hours lounging around regardless of whether or not they exercised 150 minutes a week.
Sitting is an independent risk factor for both mechanical low back pain and metabolic disruption, that is increased risk for type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Prolonged sitting invariably leads to slouching, and comes with a host of other problems that are typical of poor posture.

Increased disk pressure leads to low back pain and degenerative disk disease. Poor sitting posture may produce forces of 190mm mercury, a "squashing" pressure on a disc , according to a study published in European Spine Journal Chan 2011.

Decompression therapy can help to significantly decrease this "Squashing" force , a study in 2014 by Joachim reported that decompression therapy produces a "relieving" Minus -192mm mercury force inside the disc. This assists in taking pressure off the disc and improving fluid dynamics that enhances disc health and healing.



As a rule of thumb, for every hour of sitting try standing for 10-15 mins.
If you’re a desk jockey at work, consider a standing desk instead. Getting on your feet works the valves in your leg veins, sending blood up to your heart.
Get moving!

27/08/2025

For patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) and low back pain, flexion-distraction therapy offers a gentle, non-surgical approach with several key benefits, such as pain reduction, increased mobility, and promotion of spinal health. A 2021 study on DDD patients found that this therapy significantly decreased pain and improved spine mobility.
Mechanism of action
Flexion-distraction is a treatment protocol that uses a segmented table to rhythmically stretch and decompress specific segments of the spine. By moving the spine through a controlled range of motion, the therapy:

Creates negative pressure within the disc, helping to pull a bulging or herniated disc back into place.

Increases the height of the intervertebral disc, taking pressure off sensitive nerves.

Enlarges the intervertebral foramen, the small opening where spinal nerves exit, to relieve nerve pressure.

Primary benefits for patients with DDD and low back pain
Significant pain relief: Flexion-distraction can effectively reduce chronic low back pain, which is often a result of degenerative disc changes. A study on patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal often associated with DDD) found that those who received flexion-distraction experienced a greater reduction in pain compared to a group that received conservative therapy alone.

Improved spinal mobility:
The therapy's gentle, rhythmic movements help restore normal movement and function to stiff or restricted spinal joints. A study on DDD patients found that flexion-distraction significantly improved their spinal mobility.

Enhanced disc health:
The pumping motion of the therapy helps to promote blood flow and move nutrients into the spinal discs. This "imbibition" process helps to maintain the health of discs that are in the process of wearing down.
May avoid surgery and medications in selected cases: As a non-invasive, drug-free alternative, this therapy may help patients find lasting pain relief without relying on medication or invasive surgical procedures. For some patients with disc injuries, flexion-distraction can eliminate or delay the need for surgery.

Gentle and safe:
The treatment is gentle and is often used for patients who cannot tolerate more forceful manipulations, including those with brittle bones or who are recovering from surgery. Many patients report that the procedure feels comfortable and relaxing.

Better posture:
By addressing stiffness and promoting proper alignment, flexion-distraction can help improve overall posture.
What to expect during treatment

During a session, a consultant uses a specialized, segmented table to apply gentle, controlled movements. The patient lies face down while the table, guided by the practitioner, gently stretches and flexes the spine. The treatment is low-velocity and repetitive, without the sudden thrusts or "cracking" sounds of traditional manual adjustments. The consultant can customize the movements to target specific affected segments of the spine.

Sciatica and disc pain clinic. Specialising in non surgical decompression and flexion distraction therapy.

27/08/2025

For patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) and low back pain, flexion-distraction therapy offers a gentle, non-surgical approach with several key benefits, such as pain reduction, increased mobility, and promotion of spinal health. A 2021 study on DDD patients found that this therapy significantly decreased pain and improved spine mobility.

04/08/2025

Back Pain and Sciatica Specialists

We are proud to offer our patients non surgical decompression therapy using the computer assisted HILL DT decompression table.

Decompression therapy offers a non invasive treatment option for patients suffering from unresolved disc related back pain and sciatica.

Flexion Distraction Decompression Therapy offers several benefits for the lumbar spine, particularly for individuals suffering from lower back pain and related conditions.

Here are the key benefits:

Non-Invasive Treatment:
It provides a non-surgical alternative for managing lumbar spine issues, reducing the need for invasive procedures.

Pain Relief:
The therapy helps alleviate pain associated with conditions like herniated discs, sciatica, and spinal stenosis by reducing pressure on spinal nerves.

Improved Mobility:
By decompressing the spine and gently stretching the vertebrae, it can enhance spinal flexibility and range of motion.

Decreased Inflammation:
The gentle traction applied during therapy can help reduce inflammation in the affected areas, promoting healing.

Improved Disc Health:
The therapy encourages rehydration and nutrient exchange in spinal discs, potentially slowing or reversing disc degeneration.

Reduced Nerve Compression:
By increasing the space between vertebrae, it decreases nerve compression, which can alleviate symptoms like numbness and tingling.

Customizable Treatment:
The therapy can be tailored to individual needs, focusing on specific areas of the spine and adjusting the intensity based on the patient's condition.

Minimal Recovery Time:
Unlike surgical interventions, flexion distraction therapy involves minimal recovery time, allowing patients to resume daily activities quickly.

Overall, flexion distraction decompression therapy is a gentle, effective option for managing lumbar spine issues, promoting pain relief, and improving overall spinal health.

12/05/2024

A fantastic day for this year's Crystal Palace Triathlon, great to get back to this event, thanks to all the supporters and organisers cheering us all around and good company of Rick Adams. Next one in 4 weeks!!! 🏊🚴🏃

13/01/2024

Change your mindset.

Body composition and fat loss seminar.

Changing your body composition to improve health is not just a matter of eating well and excersining but of changing your mental attitude toward health.

20th January 2024 at Ripley Arts Centre 1pm until 530pm Don't miss this live seminar.!

10/01/2024

Are you keen to improve your body composition, lose body fat and achieve better health. Then this seminar is for you!

07/01/2024

Optimal Health Seminar: Methods to lose fat and improve body composition.

05/01/2024

Was your new year resolution to get fit and lose weight? The science tells us that 21 days after the initial motivation most people return to old disempowering habits. For this reason on the Saturday 20th January I will be hosting a live seminar in conference rooms in Bromley to help you through this period. You will learn from peer reviewed science the how and why of how we store and mobilise body fat. You will learn how to develop a better body composition and how this can improve health and vitality by warding of non communicable disease such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and even dementia.

23/05/2023

We are currently looking for an Osteopath to join our team in the busy Bromley Practice.
Please message for further details about this oppertunity to join our well established clinic of 23 years. We have 2 clinicians on maternity leave but are ideally looking for an Osteopath suited for a long term and stable position within our Clinic. Kindest regards and we look forward to hearing from you. Anthony Carew

0208 467 9001

22/03/2023

Bear is a newly launched wordless picture book /graphic novel dealing with mental health.
It is beautifully illustrated by the highly talented artist Staffan Gnosspellius and it's wordless format allows the viewer to contemplate the diversity of mental states that we all experience in our journey living as human beings.
As a therapist I have mentored with thousands of patients and the themes of entrapment, resistance and self limiting believe are common themes that reoccur in our daily struggle as human beings.
This book allows the reader to engage with these issues in a personal way through its silent narrative.

18/02/2023

Ten thousand steps is NOT enough to counter sedentary lifestyle in adolescents a new study reveals.

"Physical activity isn't necessarily the opposite of sedentary behavior. You can be both physically active and sedentary...We don't really know the benefits of physical activity if you spend the rest of your day sitting down or lying down," lead author Jason M. Nagata, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, told Medscape Medical News.

One conclusion from the study is that at least 12,000 steps and less than 4 hours a day of recreational screen time minimize the risks for overweight and obesity. Although that might not be realistic for many kids,

We may extrapolate from this that office based adult workers may have the same problems with most spending more than 8 hours stuck on screens.

Regular breaks from screen work is advisable and increasing all forms of exercise may help mitigate the deleterious effects of modern sedentary life, metabolic syndrome. This research suggests, Reduce screen time to less than 4 hours total a day and Consider 12,000 steps a very baseline and if suitable add more formal cardiovascular and resistance training to your weekly metrix.

JAMA Netw Open. Published online February 9, 2023

For more detailed coaching please contact the Carew clinic on 02084679001 or visit our website