The Mechanical Picture

Osteopaths have a holistic approach meaning we look at the whole body and the whole person when we assess a patient. This enables us to find patterns that might otherwise be missed. 

The Body as a Unit 

We’ve talked a lot about compensatory patterns in previous posts. From the development of hip arthritis into the stereotypical “elderly posture” and the associated aches and pains. To the patterns associated with pregnancy and postpartum and their effect on the lower back, upper back, glutes, and tendency to develop sciatica. But sometimes these patterns are less predictable and require a bit more of a deep dive.

An Example of the Mechanical Picture

Sometimes patients come in and note that all of their symptoms are on the same side. Granted there is a 50/50 chance that any two symptoms will be on the same side, but sometimes there is a more subtle reason for it. If for example you sprained your ankle as a teenager, and adapted well for it, you might not think about that ankle anymore from a perspective of pain or weakness.

But maybe there’s extra strain through the knee, hip, or lower back that has predisposed you to developing a set of symptoms. If you weight bear less on the side that you sprained, maybe you’ll hitch your hip on that side. Maybe this will lead to tension on that side of the lower back, which has to be compensated for further up the spine. So maybe that old ankle sprain is responsible for both your lower back and shoulder problems. If you’re really unlucky, maybe that tight shoulder plays a role in headaches as well.

Beyond Injuries and into Lifestyle 

Sometimes when we take the initial case history we ask broader questions that might not seem that relevant. Things like how long you spend at your desk, whether or not you work from home, how long you spend driving, and what position you sleep in can give us clues as to why aches and pains might be there. The good news is that if lifestyle factors play a significant part in your symptoms they might be the easiest changes you could make anyway.

Looking at the economics of your desk or your car seat can make a dramatic change in your symptoms and only take five minutes to achieve. Working out that your pillow height is a problem might be a bit more complicated because you’re not in control of how you sleep once you’ve dropped off, but if you can make those changes that might be a quick answer to some of your pain.

The Luxury of Osteopathic Appointments

Osteopathic appointments are generally longer than most other health professionals you might see on a regular basis. So we have the benefit of seeing how you progress over time and using our appointments to pick up more detailed knowledge on the factors that might be playing a role in your symptoms . We can prescribe quite specific exercises and monitor the progress overtime altering as needed for the best results. We can also ask detailed questions about how you felt post-treatment to work out exactly what techniques work best for you.

If you’ve had aches and pains that have never quite resolved, maybe now’s the time to try osteopathy.

Click here to make an appointment for your aches and pains in Flitwick