Antrim Osteopathy

06/09/2025

What is Manipulation/ Back Cracking?

Also known as High Velocity Thrusting, manipulation is restoring normal movement and balance to a joint. A joint that has lost a range of movement, looses mobility in all its planes of movement. Reasons for this include:
- Injury
- Postural changes
- Habits
- Reflexes
- Compensations

What could happen if left untreated?
- Further injury
- Further postural changes
- Dysfunctional reflexes
- Joint stiffness
- Arthritis
- Inflammation

The only people to trust to do this are osteopaths (& chiropractors). We are properly trained with 4-5yrs of university education and ongoing CPD. Don't trust anyone else!!

04/09/2025

Stress Forces Your Body To Reorient Itself To Adapt

Your body manages all the stresses all the time, but at varying levels. Your health is determined, largely, by your ability to adapt. Adaption tends to occur physically/ posturally and osteopathy helps unwind these adaptations restoring better balance between bodily systems.

Antrim Osteopathy - I Got Your Back

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02/09/2025

Chronic Low Back Pain Fixed in 2 Sessions!!

Bryan came for treatment in July following recommendations from a friend. He had been suffering from constant chronic low back pain, years of strong painkillers, muscle relaxants & anti-inflammatories and he had been scheduled for a surgical fusion this October.

- Only one problem with this theory!! Pain isn't the cause of pain. Pain exists to protect the area that has been weakened by excessive use. Decades of excessive use!! All because something else somewhere else isn't working as it should.

Turns out, Bryan was a keen footballer in his youth but had to stop following a non-traumatic injury to his left knee. Knees not only bend and straighten, but they also have to do a small amount of internal & external rotation. Bryan's left knee didn't internally rotate. His low back had to compensate.

Today, after 4 treatments, Bryan is pain-free, his knee is working as it should and is no longer getting surgery. What a result!!

- Do you think osteopathy should be promoted as a treatment option by GPs & consultants?

- Could someone ask our health minister/ the locally appointed political representative for the NHS, Mike Nesbitt?

After all, you can't medicate yourself to good health!!

Antrim Osteopathy - I Got Your Back

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31/08/2025

The inability of any of the 100’s of spinal joints to move, is no less important than movement restrictions in your knee or hip. In fact, given the direct contact of the spinal joints to the nervous system, the effects could be more widespread.

The effects of movement restrictions & posture on overall health is well documented. Despite this, the understanding of function and posture on health, from a medical perspective, is underrated and ignored.

- Doctors medicate. Medications, such as painkillers, muscle relaxants etc, may help reduce symptoms.

Pros - free; gradual reduction in symptoms
Cons - doesn’t treat causes; addictive; leads to long term damage; stomach problems; long term use; other medications needed to counter side effects.

- Osteopaths manipulate. Manipulation can help improve overall health and posture by improving joint movement and stability.

Pros - immediate improvements; no medication needed; non invasive; treats the cause; no side effects,
Cons - paid for; some find manipulation uncomfortable;

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28/08/2025

The Most Common Responses To Back Pain include:

- Ignore it (very popular choice!!)
- "Rest it" (another popular option!!)
- Medication (prescribed, over the counter or borrowed)
- More stretching
- More exercising
- Hot water bottle

Now compare the above to your response to something going wrong with your car.

- Would you bring your car to a mechanic or drive it hard?

What Would You Do?

Antrim Osteopathy - I Got Your Back

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26/08/2025

Before You reach For The Painkillers, Know That Painkillers Won't Correct The Cause of Your Pain.

"Patients who undergo osteopathic treatment often experience the relief of debilitating pain, and a renewed sense of ease and lightness of motion ... ". Irvin Korr, Journal of the American Osteopathic Association (JAOA).

With this interrelationship of osteopathy and pain relief, why is it not widely accepted? After all, pain and specifically back pain are not uncommon.

The goal of healthcare should be effective treatments that are also cost effective. However, it appears that society's view of pain relief is via medications, stretches, exercising/ strengthening, a new mattress/ pillow and all manner of gadgets & devices. This is clearly seen by watching television & social media advertising.

The most effective solution is to restore normal function to joints, and all other contributing factors.

Antrim Osteopathy - I've Got Your Back

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25/08/2025

Here’s A Thought…

Muscles Move Joints!!

… As long as the joints work properly.

When joints don’t work properly, it doesn’t matter what you do to your muscles, until your joints are manipulated, normal movement won’t be restore.

The key is to return balance to your joint and muscle function.



Antrim Osteopathy - I‘ve Got Your Back

25/08/2025

Let’s Dispel Some Myths…

- Osteopathy is very safe
- Osteopathy is a regulated profession
- Osteopaths must complete a 5yr degree
- All osteopaths are qualified, fully insured & must complete ongoing training to maintain their registration status
- Osteopathy is over 150yrs old

- Only Osteopaths Do Osteopathy!!

If someone claims they do ”osteopathy” or “osteopathy techniques”, what‘s the chances they’re a qualified osteopath? 0, zero, zilch, nadda.

It seems they’ve done a weekend manipulation course and topped it up with some YouTube videos. I‘ve watched their neck cracking videos 😧🤢 📞 🏥

Be Safe - Antrim Osteopathy Has Your Back

25/08/2025

What’s The Big Thing Missing From Modern Healthcare Systems Globally?

- An Understanding of The Function of Movement & Posture When Applied to Your Health.

Research shows that posture affects your health in many ways, from changes in neurological activity through to increased/ decreased cavity pressures.

Your posture is an automatic function controlled by many different processes that maintains “Your Balance”.

We All Need Help - Antrim Osteopathy Has Your Back

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23/08/2025

100% - I'm Big Fan of Belly Breathing... And Pandiculation!!

Breathing isn't just life—it's therapy.

The diaphragm plays a key role in lymphatic flow, visceral mobility, and nervous system regulation. It’s also deeply affected by trauma, posture, and chronic pain.

Osteopaths assess the diaphragm by tuning into the body’s internal rhythm. A restricted diaphragm can impact digestion, energy, emotional state, and even the body’s ability to detoxify.

OMT techniques that release the diaphragm can transform how a patient feels both physically and emotionally.

Osteopathy sees breathing as both diagnosis and treatment.

23/08/2025

Why Cold, Not Heat, is Best For Injuries & Pain Management?

Whenever you feel pain, what follows is a complex neurological cascade. Upon stimulation, pain receptors produce messages to your brain and into the body. In the body, your nervous system produces a release of chemical messengers which stimulate an increase in blood flow, create inflammation and an immune response at the injured area.

When you use a cold compress, the blood flow to the injured site reduces, the inflammation reduces and there's a reduction of pain. The opposite happens with heat.

Leave the cold compress on for up to 1min - this helps to reduce blood flow. Remove for 10sec to allow the area to re-perfuse with blood and re-apply for 1min. Repeat as necessary using icy cold water.

Your body can repair up to 60% of the injury and your posture attempts to compensate the remainder. Osteopathy helps to undo both the compensations and the underlying injury.