Osteopathy with Jo Mitchell, Aidan Spencer, 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; feel free to speak in person to one of us if you would like to know more.
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. Feel free to call us if you need help deciding which osteopath to see.
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 connection to their 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 and spent 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. I am especially pleased that we help a broad range of people of all ages within the local community.
As well as my original osteopathic training at the British School of Osteopathy (BSO) and studies with the Institute of Classical Osteopathy, I have completed a specialist Masters level training in paediatric osteopathy with the Osteopathic Centre for Children where I also continue to work and for whom I teach. I am also a clinic tutor within a special clinic run by the BSO in a primary school in Borough for children with social, emotional and behavioural problems, who we aim to help feel more physically comfortable and adept and improve posture.
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 recognise and address this factor in the pursuit of long-term health. This is founded upon 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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Soran David BSc (Hons) Ost Associate Osteopath
I’m really delighted to be part of 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
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