Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a way of detecting and treating injured parts of the body such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints. It involves the gentle and specific application of highly developed touch to evaluate and treat injuries to the body. When the body is balanced and working efficiently, it will function with the minimum of wear and tear, leaving more energy for living and self-repair.
Cranial Osteopathy is the name of a technique within Osteopathic medicine, which is the use of very gentle pressure on areas of the body to release unresolved strain/tension in the musculo-skeletal system. Cranial Osteopathy can be particularly effective when treating babies and small children.
Osteopaths treat a variety of common conditions including back pain, sciatica , neck pain, headaches, arthritis, frozen shoulder, whiplash, anxiety, changes to posture in pregnancy, babies with colic or sleeplessness, repetitive strain injury, postural problems from work and all sports injuries. Please ask if you are unsure if you have a problem that can be helped by Osteopathy or Cranial Osteopathy.
All the Osteopaths at this clinic treat babies and children.
Brief list of problems that patients consult Osteopaths and Cranial Osteopaths for:
Sports Injuries
Sciatica
Acute and chronic low back pain
Headaches
Migraines
Asthma
Neck pain
Shoulder pain
Disc injuries
Osteoarthritis
All joint pains eg Knee, hip, foot, hand, elbow
Repetitive strain injuries
Whiplash and accident trauma
Pregnant mothers with back and joint pain
Babies with colic, feeding and sleep problems
Children with Glue ear and upper respiratory tract problems
Cerebral Palsy
Our Osteopaths :
Nick Hounsfield -Osteopath / Cranial Osteopath
Juliana Hounsfield -Osteopath / Cranial Osteopath
Kate Burns -Osteopath / Cranial Osteopath
Clare Ballard -Osteopath / Cranial Osteopath
Wendy Hounsfield -Osteopath / Cranial Osteopath
Brian Hounsfield -Osteopath / Cranial Osteopath
Gill Jones -Osteopath / Cranial Osteopath
Jo Hooper -Osteopath / Cranial Osteopath
Our Osteopaths
Nick, Juliana and Kate have worked happily as a team with each other in Bristol for over 10 years. Clare has worked in Bristol as an Osteopath for 25+ years and brings an incredible amount of clinical and teaching skills to the practice. Wendy and Gill have been working in Bristol with us for many years and Brian brings 40 years of Osteopathic experience to the practice. Jo Hooper has recently joined us to cover maternity leave. All our Osteopaths use Structural and Cranial Osteopathic techniques.
We aim to provide excellent Osteopathic care for the whole family from newborn babies to grandparents. We are all fully qualified, fully registered Osteopaths with a huge amount of experience and enthusiasm in treating all musculoskeletal problems and many other general health problems.
Cranial Osteopathy
Cranial Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment which works with the structure and function of the body. The maintenance of good mechanical function is essential to good health. Problems in the framework of the body can disturb the circulatory system or nerves to any part of the body, and affect any aspect of health. Cranial Osteopaths work to restore the structure and function of the body to a state of balance and harmony, so aiding the whole person.
What is Cranial Osteopathy?
Cranial Osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of osteopathic treatment that encourages the release of stresses and tensions throughout the body, including the head.It is a gentle approach and may be used in a wide range of conditions for people of all ages, from birth to old age.Osteopaths may have different specialities including sports injuries, paediatrics, and visceral osteopathy (treating the internal organs of the body). Cranial Osteopathy embraces all of these.
lnvoluntary Motion- The Cranial Rhythm
Cranial osteopaths are trained to feel a very subtle, rhythmical shape change that is present in all body tissues. This is called Involuntary Motion or the Cranial Rhythm. The movement is of very small amplitude, therefore it takes practitioners with a very finely developed sense of touch to feel it. This rhythm was first described in the early 1900's by Dr. William G. Sutherland and its existence was confirmed in a series of laboratory tests in the 1960's and '70's.
Tension in the body disrupts the cranial rhythm. Practitioners compare what your rhythm is doing to what they consider ideal. This shows them what stresses and strains your body is under at present, and what tensions it may be carrying as a result of its past history. It also gives them an insight into the overall condition of your body, for example if it is healthy, or stressed and tired.
Accumulation of stress and strain in the body
When we experience physical or emotional stresses our body tissues tend to tighten up. The body may have been able to adapt to these effects at the time, but a lasting strain often remains. Any tensions which remain held in the body can restrict its free movement. Gradually the body may find it more and more difficult to cope with accumulated stresses and symptoms may develop.
What can Cranial Osteopaths treat?
Cranial osteopathy aims to treat the whole person not just the condition, so a very wide range of situations may benefit from treatment. These may include back and neck pain; joint pain and sports injuries; headaches, migraines and sinus problems; stress; recurrent infection; period pain; digestive difficulties; and treatment may also benefit general health and well-being.In babies and children many problems such as crying, colic, sleeping and feeding difficulties may be helped. Please see our page about Cranial Osteopathy for babies and children.
Qualifications
In
the UK all qualified osteopaths have DO, or BSc
(Ost) or similar, after their names. Most osteopaths
will have had a four year full time or six year mixed
attendance mode training.
From May 2000 the Osteopaths Act comes into effect to maintain standards within the profession. No-one will be able to practice as an osteopath unless they are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). For a number of years the profession has been working hard to achieve statutory regulation. The Osteopaths Act is welcomed as final recognition of the role which osteopathy plays within modern healthcare.
From May 2000 the Osteopaths Act comes into effect to maintain standards within the profession. No-one will be able to practice as an osteopath unless they are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). For a number of years the profession has been working hard to achieve statutory regulation. The Osteopaths Act is welcomed as final recognition of the role which osteopathy plays within modern healthcare.
Babies and Children
Babies
and Children
It is a common belief that babies and children should have no structural stresses or strains in their bodies, because they are 'so young'. The reality is very different. Birth is one of the most stressful events of our lives. The baby is subjected to enormous forces, as the uterus pushes to expel the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal. The baby has to turn and twist as it squeezes through the bony pelvis, on its short but highly stimulating and potentially stressful journey.
The baby's head has the remarkable ability to absorb these stresses in a normal delivery. In order to reduce the size of the head, the soft bones overlap, bend and warp as the baby descends. The baby's chin is normally well tucked down towards its chest to reduce the presenting diameter of the head.
Many babies are born with odd shaped heads as a result. In the first few days, the head can usually be seen to gradually lose the extreme moulded shape, as the baby suckles, cries and yawns. However, this unmoulding process is often incomplete, especially if the birth has been difficult. As a result, the baby may have to live with some very uncomfortable stresses within its head and body.
What problems can cranial osteopathy help with in babies?
Some babies cope extremely well with even quite severe retained moulding and compression, and are contented and happy. For others it is a different story, and they can display a variety of problems. Cranial osteopathy may help with:
Crying, screaming, irritability
The baby may be uncomfortable, with a constant feeling of pressure in the head. This may be made worse by the extra pressure on the head when lying down.
Feeding difficulties
The baby takes a long time to feed and one feed merges into the next. They may be a 'windy' feeder. Feeding is difficult and tiring due to mechanical stresses through the head, face and throat. The nerves to the tongue and face muscles may be irritated as they exit from the skull, which makes sucking difficult.
Sickness, colic and wind
Regurgitation of milk between feeds, bouts of prolonged crying due to colic and wind. Often worse in the evening. The nerve to the stomach may be irritated as it exits from the base of the skull, which can impair digestion. The diaphragm between the chest and the abdomen may be stressed or distorted, which further compromises both digestion and the ability of the stomach to retain its contents. Stress from a difficult or fast birth can leave the digestive system in tension trapping wind. Any strain through the umbilical cord, for instance if it was around the baby's neck, can add to strains in the abdomen.
Sleep disturbances
The baby sleeps for only short periods, and may sleep little in the day (or night!). They wake to the slightest noise- "jumpy". The tension on the bony and membranous casing of the skull keeps the baby's nervous system in a persistently alert state.
What problems can Cranial Osteopathy help with in older children?
As the child grows, the effects of retained moulding may lead to other problems. The following are the most common, but it is by no means an exhaustive list.
Infections
Retained moulding and birth stresses may take their toll on the body's reserves, and also may deplete the immune system. This leaves children more vulnerable to all types of infection.
Ear infection
Recurrent ear infections, gradually becoming more frequent. May lead to 'glue ear' and some temporary loss of hearing. Retained birth compression within and around the bones of the ear impedes fluid drainage from the ear with partial or complete blocking of the Eustachian tube. Infections may never fully clear, leaving a vulnerability to the next infection and a depleted immune system.
Sinus and dental problems
Persistent mouth breathers. Constantly blocked or runny nose. Impaired growth and drainage of the sinuses and bones of the face due to retained moulding compression. Later, this increases the chance of dental overcrowding.
Behavioural problems and learning difficulties, and special needs
Poor concentration, constant fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, hyperactivity. Continuation of the restlessness as a young baby. Retained moulding compression may make them uncomfortable in one position for too long which becomes habit forming. Severe compression may modify normal patterns of learning in the brain. Severe birth trauma may be a factor in cerebral palsy, and conditions such as Down's Syndrome may involve restrictions within the head and body which can be helped with cranial osteopathic treatment.
Headache, aches and pains
Headaches begin age 7-8. Growing pains. Vulnerability to sprains, or other aches and pains. Retained moulding may focus areas of pressure in the skull, as the bony joints of the skull fully form at around the age of 7-8 years. Patterns of tension retained in other areas make the body more vulnerable to strain and fatigue.
Asthma
Vulnerability to chest infections. Aggravation of all degrees of asthma from mild to severe. Retained moulding compression can aggravate a tendency to asthma. General lowered immunity leads to more chest infections. After infections, the chest remains tense and the ribs do not return to full function, aggravating an asthmatic tendency. Osteopathic treatment to release birth stresses and help to improve chest function is often beneficial in reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
Cranial osteopathic treatment
Osteopathic treatment using the cranial approach is gentle and safe for babies and children. Very specific, skilled, light pressure is applied where necessary to assist the natural ability of the body to release stresses and tensions.
Could there be any adverse reactions?
Reactions to treatment are variable, often the baby or child is very relaxed afterwards and sleeps well. Others have a burst of energy after treatment, usually followed by a good nights sleep. Occasionally children are unsettled after treatment. This is a temporary situation, and usually clears within 24-48 hours.
It is a common belief that babies and children should have no structural stresses or strains in their bodies, because they are 'so young'. The reality is very different. Birth is one of the most stressful events of our lives. The baby is subjected to enormous forces, as the uterus pushes to expel the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal. The baby has to turn and twist as it squeezes through the bony pelvis, on its short but highly stimulating and potentially stressful journey.
The baby's head has the remarkable ability to absorb these stresses in a normal delivery. In order to reduce the size of the head, the soft bones overlap, bend and warp as the baby descends. The baby's chin is normally well tucked down towards its chest to reduce the presenting diameter of the head.
Many babies are born with odd shaped heads as a result. In the first few days, the head can usually be seen to gradually lose the extreme moulded shape, as the baby suckles, cries and yawns. However, this unmoulding process is often incomplete, especially if the birth has been difficult. As a result, the baby may have to live with some very uncomfortable stresses within its head and body.
What problems can cranial osteopathy help with in babies?
Some babies cope extremely well with even quite severe retained moulding and compression, and are contented and happy. For others it is a different story, and they can display a variety of problems. Cranial osteopathy may help with:
Crying, screaming, irritability
The baby may be uncomfortable, with a constant feeling of pressure in the head. This may be made worse by the extra pressure on the head when lying down.
Feeding difficulties
The baby takes a long time to feed and one feed merges into the next. They may be a 'windy' feeder. Feeding is difficult and tiring due to mechanical stresses through the head, face and throat. The nerves to the tongue and face muscles may be irritated as they exit from the skull, which makes sucking difficult.
Sickness, colic and wind
Regurgitation of milk between feeds, bouts of prolonged crying due to colic and wind. Often worse in the evening. The nerve to the stomach may be irritated as it exits from the base of the skull, which can impair digestion. The diaphragm between the chest and the abdomen may be stressed or distorted, which further compromises both digestion and the ability of the stomach to retain its contents. Stress from a difficult or fast birth can leave the digestive system in tension trapping wind. Any strain through the umbilical cord, for instance if it was around the baby's neck, can add to strains in the abdomen.
Sleep disturbances
The baby sleeps for only short periods, and may sleep little in the day (or night!). They wake to the slightest noise- "jumpy". The tension on the bony and membranous casing of the skull keeps the baby's nervous system in a persistently alert state.
What problems can Cranial Osteopathy help with in older children?
As the child grows, the effects of retained moulding may lead to other problems. The following are the most common, but it is by no means an exhaustive list.
Infections
Retained moulding and birth stresses may take their toll on the body's reserves, and also may deplete the immune system. This leaves children more vulnerable to all types of infection.
Ear infection
Recurrent ear infections, gradually becoming more frequent. May lead to 'glue ear' and some temporary loss of hearing. Retained birth compression within and around the bones of the ear impedes fluid drainage from the ear with partial or complete blocking of the Eustachian tube. Infections may never fully clear, leaving a vulnerability to the next infection and a depleted immune system.
Sinus and dental problems
Persistent mouth breathers. Constantly blocked or runny nose. Impaired growth and drainage of the sinuses and bones of the face due to retained moulding compression. Later, this increases the chance of dental overcrowding.
Behavioural problems and learning difficulties, and special needs
Poor concentration, constant fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, hyperactivity. Continuation of the restlessness as a young baby. Retained moulding compression may make them uncomfortable in one position for too long which becomes habit forming. Severe compression may modify normal patterns of learning in the brain. Severe birth trauma may be a factor in cerebral palsy, and conditions such as Down's Syndrome may involve restrictions within the head and body which can be helped with cranial osteopathic treatment.
Headache, aches and pains
Headaches begin age 7-8. Growing pains. Vulnerability to sprains, or other aches and pains. Retained moulding may focus areas of pressure in the skull, as the bony joints of the skull fully form at around the age of 7-8 years. Patterns of tension retained in other areas make the body more vulnerable to strain and fatigue.
Asthma
Vulnerability to chest infections. Aggravation of all degrees of asthma from mild to severe. Retained moulding compression can aggravate a tendency to asthma. General lowered immunity leads to more chest infections. After infections, the chest remains tense and the ribs do not return to full function, aggravating an asthmatic tendency. Osteopathic treatment to release birth stresses and help to improve chest function is often beneficial in reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
Cranial osteopathic treatment
Osteopathic treatment using the cranial approach is gentle and safe for babies and children. Very specific, skilled, light pressure is applied where necessary to assist the natural ability of the body to release stresses and tensions.
Could there be any adverse reactions?
Reactions to treatment are variable, often the baby or child is very relaxed afterwards and sleeps well. Others have a burst of energy after treatment, usually followed by a good nights sleep. Occasionally children are unsettled after treatment. This is a temporary situation, and usually clears within 24-48 hours.
History of Osteopathy
History of Osteopathy
In 1874, Andrew Taylor Still MD DO (1828-1917), a medical doctor living on the Missouri frontier, discovered the significance of living anatomy in health and disease. Dr. Still realized that optimal health is possible only when all of the tissues and cells of the body function together in harmonious motion. He reasoned that disease could have its origins in slight anatomical deviation from normal. He then proved he could restore health by treating the body with his hands, naming his innovative approach to restoring health: Osteopathy. He understood that the human body is composed of many parts, all intimately related as a functional whole. More than a hundred years ago, Dr. Still realized that the human being is more than just a physical body. He envisioned a totally new medical system that acknowledges the relationships of the body, mind, emotions and spirit.
At the age of ten, young Andrew Still suffered from frequent headaches with nausea. He constructed a rope swing between two trees, eight to ten inches off the ground. He lay down using the rope for a swinging pillow. He wrote, “I lay stretched on my back, with my neck across the rope. Soon I became easy and went to sleep, got up in a little while with headache all gone.” He continued to use this ‘treatment’ successfully every time he had a headache.
Many years later Dr. Still considered his ‘rope swing treatment’ of headaches, and realized ... “I had suspended the action of the great occipital nerves, and given harmony to the flow of the arterial blood to and through the veins...I have worked from the days of a child...to obtain a more thorough knowledge of the workings of the machinery of life, in producing ease and health.”
As a practicing physician Dr. Still diligently researched and developed osteopathy. He discovered that he had the ability to put his hands on patients, change their physiology and restore health. He developed a very practical way of treating people using just his hands. Today, osteopathic physicians continue to use their hands to treat their patients in this same tradition.
In the late 1800s none of today's miracle drugs, such as antibiotics, were available. Out of necessity, Dr. Still looked first to nature's own ability to heal and found a way to access this ability within the body. Still saw this self-correcting potential as a cornerstone of his osteopathic philosophy. When combined with appropriate use of present day medical therapeutics, osteopathy offers a profound contribution to the practice of medicine.