The Heath Osteopathic Practice

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The Heath Osteopathic Practice Reducing pain and stiffness in muscles, joints, bones and ligaments by using osteopathy techniques

Treating a wide range of health complaints using osteopathic techniques, naturopathy, cranial osteopathy, as well as taping, postural and exercise advice.

Tennis Elbow or Lateral EpicondylitisThis is the development of pain in the outer edge of the elbow on the bone and ofte...
06/07/2025

Tennis Elbow or Lateral Epicondylitis
This is the development of pain in the outer edge of the elbow on the bone and often referring down the muscle towards the wrist. There is pain on lifting and gripping objects and extending the wrist. Although it occurs in those who play tennis and squash, but generally not professionals, it can occur in other people especially cooks, writers, carpenters, painters, cleaners and road workers, due to overuse. Golfers Elbow is a similar condition but affects the inner part of the elbow.

It is thought to be caused by microtrauma of the common extensor tendon where it joins the elbow. It is more common in the 35-55 age group affecting men and women equally and tends to affect those starting to play tennis later in life or in those not used to, much exercise.

It is advisable to moderate the activity which provoked the pain or in some cases give it up, until the pain has gone. It is helpful to do stretches into the forearm muscles and strengthen them as well as improving technique, general fitness and core strength. Choosing the right size racket is obviously important too.

An osteopath can do some deep tissue work into the area and manipulative work into the elbow as well into the cervical and thoracic spine which can help. Putting ice onto the painful spot on the elbow and wearing a special Lateral Epicondylitis band around the arm just below the elbow,relieves some of the tension in the muscle and reduces pain. These can be bought in many pharmacies.

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High Heels - A Price Worth Paying?Wearing high heels can contribute towards numerous musculo-skeletal problems. The wear...
04/07/2025

High Heels - A Price Worth Paying?

Wearing high heels can contribute towards numerous musculo-skeletal problems. The wearer's body is shifted forwards necessitating an extension or leaning back posture in order to remain upright. It can contribute towards low back pain.
The weight of the body is largely concentrated into the ball of the foot which can create wear and tear in small seamoid bones in the big toe and may cause bunions. It can also lead to morton's neuroma which is an inflammation of the small nerves around the mainly second and third toes due to compression of those nerves.
If the foot is held in this position for extended periods of time it can lead to a shortening of the achilles tendon at the back of the lower leg and ankle and tightness of the calf muscles. It may also lead to plantar fasciitis which is an inflammation of the muscle on the sole of the foot.

Osteopaths can help by diagnosing the problem and giving advice, treatment and exercises.

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Gluteal Tendinopathy - Buttock/Hip painGluteal tendinopathy can give pain in the buttock muscles, or around the hip and ...
02/07/2025

Gluteal Tendinopathy - Buttock/Hip pain
Gluteal tendinopathy can give pain in the buttock muscles, or around the hip and outer, upper leg.

The gluteal muscles, of which there are three, form the main bulk of the buttocks, although there are other muscles beneath them. They allow you to get up from sitting or lying down, extending the leg backwards and rotating the hip, lifting the leg outwards and stabilizing the pelvis.

The site of the pain is the outside of the hip and can refer down the outer thigh to the knee. There can be buttock and groin pain.

It is common in women over 50, with over 23% having this condition. This may be due to reduced collagen during the menopause which weakens the tendons. It is often caused by increased compression on the tendon and increased load which, weakened tendons, are unable to withstand. Common triggers are:

Rigid foot, which changes the gait pattern

Increase in exercise, walking distances or speed

Starting hill walking

Weight gain

Fall onto one side, or increased lying on one side

Recovery from illness or injury

Some medications or unmanaged diabetes

The gluteal muscles may need to be strengthened carefully and monitored. Cold packs may help.

This pain can be confused with that of sacro-iliac pain, piriformis syndrome, disc prolapse, hip osteoathritis and bursitis. An Osteopath can help to diagnose the problem, help you to manage the symptoms, give you treatment and exercises, and reduce your pain.

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Shoulder Pain/Adhesive CapsulitisShoulder Pain may be caused by injury or strain to the joints, bones, tendons,muscles, ...
30/06/2025

Shoulder Pain/Adhesive Capsulitis
Shoulder Pain may be caused by injury or strain to the joints, bones, tendons,muscles, bursae or the articular capsule. However, shoulder pain may be a referral of pain from the neck or cervical spine. It can also be referred pain from the abdoman such as the gall bladder, stomach, diaphragm and pancreas, or from the heart or lung. An osteopath can diagnose the problem and give treatment, exercises and postural advice where relevant or refer someone on if they believe there may be another issue which needs medical treatment.

Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis is a condition which causes pain and stiffness. It most commonly affects people between ages of 40 and 60 years and affects women more than men. It can occur after an injury or surgery, and is more common in those with diabetes and thyroid conditions. It frequently occurs without any obvious cause. It is thought that the articular capsule in the shoulder joint becomes thickened tight and inflamed leading to reduced mobility. There is often a dull ache on the upper outer part of the arm. An osteopath can help to diagnose the problem and advise how to reduce symptoms of pain and stiffness and speed up the recovery.

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Scoliosis is defined as a spine with a sideways curve and a rotation. There may be one curve or two in the thoracic or l...
28/06/2025

Scoliosis is defined as a spine with a sideways curve and a rotation. There may be one curve or two in the thoracic or lumbar spine, a C or S shape. They can be divided into structual and non-structural. The former are fixed and the spine rigid, whereas the latter are in response to inflammation or muscle spasms and so may go away. The majority (80%) of scoliosis have no obvious cause (idiopathic), and commonly occur in children aged 10-14. They don't usually cause pain but need to be monitored in case they worsen. If the curve is over 20% they may be recommended a brace to support the spine especially whilst the person is still growing.Severe ones may need surgery because they can affect the functioning of the heart and lungs and severely restrict mobility.

Some signs may be noticeable such as more pronounced musculature on one side of the spine. There may be a prominence of the ribcage or shoulder blade on one side due to a rotation in the thoracic spine. This may be more noticeable when the person flexes forward to touch the floor. There may be back, shoulder, neck and buttock pain and restricted mobility.

An Osteopath will look out for Scoliosis and may refer you on in moderate to severe cases if it has not been picked up before. Many people live with a scoliosis without any pain and discomfort. Regular Osteopathic treatment may help you to manage any symptoms you have such as tight muscles and discomfort. They can suffest exercises to limit any restrictions and discomfort where possible.

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Time spent on mobiles, tablets and other screens can lead to neck, shoulder and back pain as well as tingling,numbness a...
27/06/2025

Time spent on mobiles, tablets and other screens can lead to neck, shoulder and back pain as well as tingling,numbness and pain in wrists and fingers. The forward posture increases the pressure on discs in the spine which could lead to prolapses. Longer term it could lead to permanent curves in the cervical spine.
Be aware of your posture and avoid prolonged periods in forward postures. Use stands and separate keyboards where possible and limit time using devices.
Book an appointment with an osteopath who can treat pain in your neck, back and shoulders and give you relevant exercises.
Book at https://heathpractice.com

BursitisBursa are fluid filled sacs found around many joints. They help to provide support and cushioning to prevent mus...
26/06/2025

Bursitis
Bursa are fluid filled sacs found around many joints. They help to provide support and cushioning to prevent muscles, joints and tendons from rubbing together. They can be found on the elbows, knees, hips, buttocks and shoulders.

When there has been over-use or injury the bursa can get inflamed. There is then less room within the joint. There may be redness, swelling, pain and difficulty moving the joint or putting any pressure on it. It may be painful to lie on it.
The best way to deal with this is RICE ie rest, ice, compression and elevation. You may want to apply ice for 10-15 minutes every hour for the first 4-5 days. This will help to reduce the swelling and inflammation. Anti-inflammatories may help and if it persists a steroid injection may help. However, if there is a fever, you will need to see a GP in case the bursa has become infected.
Bursitis may resolve within a week or two, however, if there is also tendinitis it may take longer. An Osteopath can help to diagnose the problem and try to discover why it has occurred. There may be treatment they can do to reduce restriction or change imbalances which may have caused or contributed towards the problem.Once the pain has gone it may help to do exercises to strengthen the muscles involved to speed up recovery and prevent it re-occurring.
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Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)The Temporomandibular joint or jaw has many muscles and ligaments attached to it, which...
25/06/2025

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)

The Temporomandibular joint or jaw has many muscles and ligaments attached to it, which facilitate opening and closing the mouth, moving the jaw from side to side and the actions of mastication or chewing.

Chronic TMD is very common and only second to chronic low back pain. There are 3 main types of TMD. The first is where there is a problem coming from the disc, inside the joint itself. The disc can get displaced and can affect the opening of the mouth. It often leads to clicking but may not be associated with pain. It can be linked to hypermobility in other joints of the body, as it causes laxity of the ligaments. There may be difficulty opening or closing the jaw.

The second cause is pain related and mainly muscular. There may be pain in the jaw, face, head and neck, from eating, and opening the mouth. There may also be neck pain and headaches. It is often related to a history of dental treatment, stress, posture and oral habits such as chewing gum and grinding teeth.

The third cause is degenerative and maybe associated with osteoarthritis in other joints. There may be a history of local trauma which has led to a change in habits and a weakening of the muscles connected to the jaw.

An Osteopath can help you get to the root of the problem in establishing where and why the complaint has occured. They can give treatment, exercises and other advice to reduce the symptoms and prevent them returning.

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Low back pain is a very common condition and increasing in cases and intensity, worldwide. It is increasing partly as a ...
23/06/2025

Low back pain is a very common condition and increasing in cases and intensity, worldwide. It is increasing partly as a result of ageing populations, an increase in obesity and reduced activity. The situation was worsened during the COVID pandemic due to lockdowns, increasing inactivity and a move to working from home with resulting poor work environments, and inadequate desks and chairs. It is most common in working populations leading to absenteeism, decreased productivity and increased early retirement. There are also effects on mental health with chronic low back pain linked to increased depression. Depression is linked to increasing disability and poor recovery from low back pain.

There are many possible causes for it. It may be due to strains or wear and tear to joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, nerves or discs. It may have occured suddenly because of a recent incident or gradually because of overuse. There may be an inflammatory or auto-immune cause and it may be due to a genetic predisposition. It may be a referral of pain from other structures in the body.

An Osteopath will take your medical history and details of the when, why and how the back pain occured and will reach a diagnosis. They will be on the look out for more serious causes and may refer you on.

If the Osteopath decides that its safe to treat, then they will use a variety of techniques such as mobilisation, manipulation and massage or they may use more gentle techniques called Cranial techniques. They may advise about your posture and how you can improve it and suggest some exercises to stretch and/or strengthen muscles.

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Sacroiliac dysfunction or inflammationThe sacro-iliac joint lies between the back of the pelvis and the sacrum. It can f...
21/06/2025

Sacroiliac dysfunction or inflammation

The sacro-iliac joint lies between the back of the pelvis and the sacrum. It can feel like low back pain , buttock pain, hip pain or groin pain.

The sacro-iliac joint can cause pain to travel down the leg but often only as far as the back of the knee. The pain is often very noticeable when getting up from sitting and can be eased by walking It may have resulted from a sudden movement or have come on gradually.

Osteopathic treatment can involve mobilisation and manipulation, stretching and strengthening exercises. Postural advice is usually given.

Make an appointment at https://heathpractice.com

ExerciseExercise is important for everyone, regardless of age, health or fitness. It’s important to do a variety of type...
20/06/2025

Exercise
Exercise is important for everyone, regardless of age, health or fitness. It’s important to do a variety of types of exercise as they provide different functions. Exercise can also help your mental health as it produces endorphins which make you feel happier and joining classes or gyms can help reduce feelings of isolation. It may help you to lose weight when combined with eating a healthier diet.

Balance is important and improving it will help to prevent falls by strengthening one's core muscles. Dancing, pilates, yoga and tai chi can help.

Flexibility can be improved with stretches and yoga. Stretching muscles can help them to become healthier and function more effectively.

Strengthening muscles and joints can be helped with weight training, martial arts, pilates, walking, climbing and running. It can help to reduce the likelihood of getting osteoporosis and help to reduce postural strain.

Aerobic exercise or endurance training can help to strengthen the heart and reduce your blood pressure through swimming, running, cycling and exercise classes.

You can do exercises at home, walking instead of using transport or using escalators and lifts. Even housework and shopping are a form of exercise.

If you have aches and pains and are not sure if you should exercise, see an osteopath who can reduce your pain and stiffness and advise about what sort of activity would be helpful. They can prescribe exercises for you.

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Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disorder commonly referred to as “Wear and Tear”. It is more common in older peop...
19/06/2025

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disorder commonly referred to as “Wear and Tear”. It is more common in older people as it takes time for it to develop though it can occur in younger people after a joint disorder or damage.

The pain starts slowly and gradually increases. It is usually worse with exercise and relieved by rest though with time rest does not totally ease it. Stiffness is worse after periods of rest. As the condition worsens swelling and deformity can occur. This may become quite obvious with a superficial joint such as the knee whereas hip osteoarthritis may be masked by changes to the pelvis and spine creating postural changes. Local tenderness is common. Movement of the joint becomes restricted and maybe be accompanied by creaking. Later on the joint can become unstable. It frequently occurs in a single joint such as the hip. Heberden’s nodes can appear on the final finger joints. This is very common in post-menopausal women.

In early osteoarthritis pain relief can be obtained by periods of rest and behaviour modification. Pain relief can be obtained from analgesics and anti-inflammatories however there are other alternatives such as Glucosamine Sulphate or Chondroitin which are mineral supplements. Ice-packs may also help. Joint mobility can be improved by Osteopathy so that even small increases in range and power can improve function. Increasing the strength of associated muscles can help by reducing the load on the joint. Weight reduction can also help in this way.

Book an osteopathy appointment at https://heathpractice.com

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Our Story

Treating a wide range of health complaints using osteopathic techniques, naturopathy, cranial osteopathy, as well as taping, postural and exercise advice.

I have been treating patients since 2005. I treat a wide age range of ages from young babies to the elderly. Each treatment is tailored to the patient and their unique health circumstances and history. I don’t just treat the presenting problem I look at what may have been causing it and try to help the person reach their own maximum health and so limit the return of the problem.

I have completed 4 of the Postgraduate Cranial Courses at the Sutherland Cranial College of Osteopathy. I have now registered with them as a Member (MSSCO)