Osteopathy with Jo Mitchell, Aidan Spencer, David Canevaro and Soran David

What is osteopathy?    Osteopathy was founded in America in 1892 as a system of manual therapy using the body's natural capacity for healing.  It is rooted in the core sciences, anatomy, physiology, neurology, pathology and is based on the principle that healthy function of the body requires free movement of the musculoskeletal structures and a balanced blood and nerve supply.

What can osteopathy help with?    A wide range of problems can be helped, including:

  • Orthopaedic   mechanical back/neck pain, sciatica, slipped disc, arthritis, arm/leg pain, whiplash, pins & needles, jaw pain
  • Sports Injuries   muscle, joint and ligament strain, tendonitis, rehabilitation, tennis/golfer's elbow
  • Pregnancy   aches and pains with ante and postnatal postural changes, pelvic or rib pain, heartburn, preparation for labour
  • Babies and Children   newborn check-ups, especially after ventouse or caesarean, difficulties feeding or sleeping, infantile colic, glue ear, developmental delay, aches and pains
  • Dental   after a difficult extraction or filling, throughout orthodontic work
  • Occupational   postural fatigue, repetitive strain injury, work related injuries
  • Constitutional conditions   asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, sinusitis, headaches/migraines,  menstrual pains, eczema, stress, anxiety, chronic fatigue.

Feel free to speak in person to one of us if you are unsure how we can be of help.

What to expect?    The initial consultation lasts for about an hour; this includes taking a full case history, physical examination and treatment if we feel that we can be of help.  We will ask you details about your current problem as well as general medical questions.  For the examination, you will normally be required to undress down to your underwear (please choose wisely so that you feel comfortable).  We then assess your posture and the movements of your spine and limbs, examine muscle tone and strength and if necessary, perform other clinical tests such as checking neurological reflexes and blood pressure.   

Once we have reached a working diagnosis, we will discuss with you our findings and what we think is causing the problem.  We will talk about the treatment options with you to ensure a safe and effective approach.  If necessary, we will seek your consent to liaise with your GP to include them in the management of your case.

What does treatment involve?    After assessment and diagnosis, treatment is then given to the specific area that is painful and then more generally in order to balance and integrate the whole body. 

A variety of techniques may be used during the treatment according to what is appropriate for the individual.  These include manipulation, soft tissue massage, rhythmic articulation and the very gentle 'unwinding' and cranial work.

As well as there being a range of techniques, you will also find that there are osteopaths who have different approaches to each other.  This is often down to the practitioner's preferred way of working as they have developed their skills whilst studying and since qualifying.  While manipulation can be suitable in a number of different presentations, it is not an essential part of a session.  Treatment can be gentle and relaxing as well as effective.          

The Practitioners and the Osteopathic Profession    Osteopathy is a state regulated profession and all osteopaths at the Sunflower Centre are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (tel 020 7357 6655), www.osteopathy.org.uk

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Jo Mitchell  DO  Principal osteopath

I have been an osteopath since 1991.  The standards of quality of care, knowing my limits and developing a wide web of connections with other disciplines have been the cornerstones of the way that I work.  Health is an ever changing picture, being complex and at the same time incredibly simple.  When I first started in practice, I saw lots of people in acute pain who were desperate for some relief.  Over the years, I have panned back with the zoom lens and am better able to take in a wider picture of who that person is, with their bundle of genes, their birth story (we all have one!), their personality, hobbies, postural habits, their level of vitality and a whole gammut of injuries. Therein lies the complexity; the simplicity lies in being able to work with those natural healing forces in order to enhance the person's health. 

Whilst at college I was treated by an osteopath using the cranial approach, and felt my eyes opened by the experience and knew that I needed to learn this form of osteopathy.  I now mostly treat this way and find ever more depths in it.  Cranial osteopathy originated in the US after William G Sutherland had a eureka moment whilst casually observing a model of a skull in his office and proceeded to spend the next 30 years studying and experimenting on himself until he felt confident enough to speak to other osteopaths about his research.  The cranial approach arrived in the UK in the 50's and slowly grew in popularity.  For me it is a gentle yet potent method of working with the body that enables me to work confidently with pregnant mums, newborn babies, all the way to the very frail and elderly.

I love the challenge of new cases as much as carrying out a long term treatment plan with someone who has a number of health issues.  My aim is to assist the person to better understand what is going on in their body and to see what they can do to help themselves.                                                                      jo@thesunflowercentre.co.uk

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Aidan Spencer BOst MSc (Paed Ost) MICO Associate Osteopath

I have practiced at the Sunflower Centre since 2006 and find its calm and therapeutic atmosphere greatly enhances my work with patients.

As well as my original osteopathic training at the British School of Osteopathy (BSO) and studies with the Institute of Classical Osteopathy, I have recently completed a specialist Masters training in paediatric osteopathy with the Osteopathic Centre for Children (OCC) where I also continue to work. This has provided me with experience in managing and treating a broad range of childhood problems from colicky, babies, to respiratory disorders and even behavioural difficulties. With regard to the latter, I am a clinic tutor within a special clinic run by the BSO for children with emotional and behavioural problems. We have observed that by helping the young patients feel more physically comfortable and adept, they find greater psychological ease and are better able to cope in the classroom.

I welcome patients at all stages of life and generally pursue the classical or cranial approaches to osteopathic treatment. I have a particular interest in posture and helping patients to recognize and address this factor in the pursuit of long-term health. This is founded upon my two decades’ study of T’ai-Chi. I often provide advice regarding ergonomics and teach patients simple remedial exercises.

aidan@thesunflowercentre.co.uk

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David Canevaro BSc (Hons) Ost ITEC (Dip)  Associate Osteopath

I am a Registered Osteopath and Sports Therapist and I specialise in sporting injuries, having treated many athletes and dancers at international level.  I possess a broad knowledge of soft tissue manipulation, trigger point release and sports injury rehabilitation, having practiced Sports Massage for over 9 years prior to qualifying as an Osteopath.  This experience was gained by working with a variety of clients in some of the top health centres, osteopathic, physiotherapist and sports injury clinics in London.


My approach is essentially a fusion between osteopathy and pilates.  I have trained as a Pilates instructor with Polestar Pilates and the Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Institute, two of the leading authorities in this field.  Polestar Education and the APPI are two of the largest worldwide provider of rehabilitation-based Pilates courses.  I am registered with the General Osteopathic Council and am recognized by Norwich Union and other medical health insurers. 

To find out more please click on the link http://www.london-osteopathy-pilates.co.uk/    or email me at david@thesunflowercentre.co.uk

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Soran David  BSc (Hons) Ost  Associate Osteopath

I’m really delighted to be joining the team of osteopaths at the Sunflower Centre, especially having been a patient here myself, some years ago.

As well as my work at Sunflower, I teach undergraduate osteopathic students at the BSO (British School of osteopathy) supporting and supervising them in their clinical work and lecturing in the conceptual basis of osteopathy.  This keeps me on my toes and constantly informs my day-to-day practice.

I would describe my osteopathic approach as eclectic - traditional structural techniques (stretching, soft tissue massage, articulation and manipulation) as well as other approaches such as cranial osteopathy and ‘medical acupuncture’ or dry needling techniques. Whatever the approach, it will always be very much in consultation with you, the patient.

One of the things I most enjoy about my work, and about a uniquely osteopathic approach, is the ‘detective’ work – why has this particular problem occurred now?  What structural and functional features have conspired to produce this set of symptoms, what systems are involved?  Of course we may not always have all the answers, but the more that I can understand the many factors that may be involved, the more chance we have of finding a lasting improvement.

soran@thesunflowercentre.co.uk