Osteopathy Weymouth
My name is Jonathan and I am an Osteopath and the founder of Move Clinic in Poundbury, Dorchester.
After studying Sport at Cardiff to undergraduate degree level and I then completed a Masters whilst undertaking a tennis scholarship at Wichita State University, Kansas, USA. Following a period of time playing semi-professional tennis, I then studied Osteopathy for 4 years at Oxford Brookes to Masters’ degree level.
With nearly 10 years’ experience in osteopathy since then, I am passionate about treating people of all ages ranging from children to the elderly.
Osteopathy helps patients for a wide range of conditions affecting the muscles, joints and nerves. My goal is to relieve any pain and discomfort you may have whilst improving your mobility.
I now live in Poundbury, with my wife and two young children, and I’m enjoying developing the clinic and working with other clinicians to create an inspiring environment to serve the local community.
what we treat
BACK AND NECK PAIN
Osteopathy is a safe and effective form of treatment for back and neck pain of a mechanical origin. Many different tissues around the spine can be affected, including muscles, ligaments, nerves, joints and discs. Dysfunction of these tissues can give rise to stiffness, discomfort and pain.
Nerves can also become pinched by a disc or bone in the spine that can then lead to symptoms away from the primary source (i.e. symptoms can be felt in the arms or legs). An osteopath is trained to identify which of these tissues are to blame and how to go about treating and managing the problem.
The latest National Institute For Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance for assessment and management of lower back pain and sciatica (November 2016) recommends a package of care focusing on manual therapy, exercise, psychological care (in the form of self-management) and cognitive behavioural approaches.
“This is relevant to osteopathy as osteopaths provide a multi-component care package, including a thorough case history and assessment, an agreed programme which usually includes manual therapy, psychological support that includes advice for activity that promotes movements and wellbeing” (General Osteopathic Council, 2017).
A Medical Research Trial (UK Back Pain and Exercise and Manipulation trial, MRC, 2004) found that spinal manipulation, when added to GP care, is clinically effective and the most cost-effective option for patients with simple low back pain.
Osteopaths commonly treat mechanical neck pain, using a variety of techniques that are appropriate for the individual patient, including soft tissue massage, gentle mobilisation of joints, and manipulation.
Neck pain can sometimes radiate into the shoulder, arm and hand which may or may not be due to nerves impinged exiting the spine. In a recent study, participants with acute and subacute neck pain found spinal manipulation to be more effective than medication in the short and long-term (Bronfort et al. 2012).
OSTEOPATHY AND SPORT
Osteopathy can be especially effective in treating many sports-related injuries in both adults and younger people. By helping to rebalance the body following acute or chronic issues, osteopathy techniques can encourages a good supply of blood flow to optimise self-healing.
Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) are a common ailment affecting many people. RSI’s often occur from postural changes caused by repetitive movement patterns. This leads to incorrect muscle activation patterns becoming fixed, which can then lead to tissues becoming fatigued, inflamed and then chronically damaged. By addressing these patterns, osteopathy can restore function and prevent further compensations taking place.
Young people are especially vulnerable during sport, as their growing bodies cannot always cope with the exceptional demands of the stress placed upon the body. Osteopathy can help correct alignment, thus preventing further injury.
Osteopathy can also be an effective tool for optimising technique and performance when there is mechanical dysfunction.
JOINTS
Osteopaths treat many of the individual joints of the body, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle and foot. Osteoarthritis affecting the knee/hip is a condition where osteopathy can be effective as a complement to other therapy.
Other conditions that osteopaths typically treat include shoulder/elbow pain which is associated with dysfunction in the neck and back. These include frozen shoulder and tennis elbow.
SHOULDERS
The shoulder is a very complex interaction of movements involving four joints which coordinate with the neck, upper back and ribcage. It is important for the shoulder to be able to maintain a delicate balance between a large range of motion whilst also being stable.
The shoulder girdle itself can develop poor habits and become slumped forwards, which interferes with muscle activation patterns. This often results in pain or discomfort around the shoulder and can be associated with nerve pain coming from the neck or upper limb.
Manual therapy and exercises provided by osteopathy can help to restore mechanical alignment back into the shoulder girdle.
PREGNANCY
Osteopathy provides a gentle manual therapy that is suitable for mothers both during and after pregnancy.
During pregnancy the ligaments become softened, weight increases and postural adaptations take place. This sometimes results in additional pressure being placed upon various tissues and joints, especially in the spine and pelvis, which can then lead to additional pain and discomfort. The most common pregnancy pains are backache, ‘sciatica’, and SPD (pubic/groin pain).
Osteopathy may help to relieve these increased stresses and strains by improving function in the areas of the body that are not working as well. This will often involve correcting the pelvic position and promoting pelvic floor stability.
During the post-natal period, the body has undergone even more significant change. Breast-feeding, postural strains, carrying the baby and lack of sleep can place further stress on the body.
Many women find it difficult to put aside time for themselves after giving birth. Coupled with the hormonal and postural changes, this can lead to pain and discomfort becoming a chronic issue.
LATER YEARS
Osteopathy can be highly beneficial in the prevention of stiffness and the improvement of mobility. The build-up of minor ailments and compensations throughout the body can take their toll over the years.
The National Institute For Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for osteoarthritis (Feb 2008) recommend the use of manual therapy (manipulation and stretching), and strengthening exercises, as part of a positive intervention programme.
The body-wide changes that take place as we get older affect our health, our ability to heal and our physical ability. Osteopaths recognise this and ensure that the body is treated as a whole.
Maintaining as much physical mobility as possible is vitally important in maintaining an active lifestyle, thus enabling us to continue doing all the things that we enjoy.
Did you know?
Qualifications
The minimum qualification for an osteopath is completion of a four or five year degree, which includes at least 1000 hours of supervised clinical practice
Regulations
Osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). It is illegal to call yourself an osteopath in the UK unless you are qualified and registered with the GOsC.
Patient Safety
Osteopathy is considered very safe and adverse reactions to treatment are extremely rare. If you have any concerns then we will be more than happy to discuss them with you.